Communication Disorders is a discipline in human services offering graduates rewarding careers in speech and language pathology. A Master of Science program is available for students who have an undergraduate major in communication disorders or its equivalent. Employment opportunities are commonly available in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and private practice. The thesis or the alternate plan programs, when combined with students' undergraduate preparation, lead to the academic and practicum requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Speech Pathology issued by the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). Effective January 1, 1994, all graduate work applied toward the CCC must have been initiated and completed at a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of ASHA. The Graduate Program in Communication Disorders is accredited by CAA.
Graduate study in Communication Disorders is fundamentally different than undergraduate work, as graduate students are expected to demonstrate superior academic performance. To be recommended by the faculty for graduation, each student's Plan of Study is reviewed individually for deficiencies.
Since ASHA allows both graduate and undergraduate credits to be applied to certification in speech, graduate students must complete the residual course credits between their undergraduate credits and the total ASHA requirements, as well as the University minimums for theses or alternate plan paper options. Similarly, they must meet the ASHA standard for clock hours of clinical practicum and at least 325 of these hours must be earned at the graduate level. At least 50 percent of students' academic credits must be at the 600 level, excluding the thesis and APP credits. With its emphasis on competency in becoming a speech clinician, students must have experienced clinical supervision by at least two different faculty supervisors. Internship 698 is also required of all graduate students to improve their clinical competencies.
Students graduate on faculty recommendation. Students should beaware that 50 clock hours of supervised practicum are required in a minimum of three different clinical settings. More than one internship in a given setting may be necessary to meet this requirement, depending upon the student's undergraduate preparation.
It is the purpose of the Master of Science Program in Communication Disorders to provide a high quality of student preparation leading to careers in human services for persons with communication disorders and to promote scientific investigation in the normal and abnormal development and use of speech, language and hearing.
Applications for admission are competitive and must be received by February 1 for admission for the following fall semester. If a vacancy occurs during the academic year, mid-year admission is possible. Approximately 10-12 new admissions are accepted each year. To take graduate level courses, applicants must have been admitted by the College of Graduate Studies and Research. Competitive applicants should have attained (1) a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of at least 400 on the verbal and quantitative test sections. Writing scores are considered on a case by case basis, (2) a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better on a 4.0 scale in 40 undergraduate credits including courses in the basic sciences, as required by the ASHA to meet Standard III, A of the Standards for the Certificate of Clinical Competence, and (3) professional coursework. Applicants who have not attained the above GPA (3.00) may be admitted provisionally on the basis of their performance on the GRE (contact department for specific requirements and prior experience). Three statements of recommendation are also required as well as submission of a writing sample in the form of a letter of intent.
A limited number of graduate assistantships in Communication Disorders are available. Application can be obtained from the department or from the College of Graduate Studies and Research and should be filed by February 1 for the following academic year or until positions are filled.
As members of Minnesota State University, Mankato community, students assume the responsibility to meet the academic obligations in a fair and honest manner. This responsibility includes avoiding such activities as cheating, plagiarism or collusion. Please refer to the University policy on academic honesty for definitions of terms and explanations.
