Master of Science - Communication Sciences & Disorders

Department of Education, Special Education, Social Work, and Communication Disorders

The master’s degree is the entry-level degree for employment as a speech-language pathologist and prepares students for the remediation of communication disorders. The master’s level program will prepare students to meet the requirements for the American-Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Speech-Language Pathology, State of Virginia Professional Licensure, and Virginia Department of Education Teacher Licensure with endorsement in Speech and Language Disorders.

The master’s degree program in Communication Sciences and Disorders is a Candidate for Accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and will begin offering courses in fall 2006. This is a “pre-accreditation” status with the CAA, awarded to developing or emerging programs for a maximum of five years. Students graduating from a program that holds Candidacy status with the CAA are eligible to apply for the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) and must complete the full application form for the Certificate of Clinical Competence and have their academic course work and clinical practicum evaluated by the Council for Clinical Certification (CFCC).

Admission requirements for the graduate program:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
Either an undergraduate major in communication disorders or completion of the prerequisite coursework* with GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
Completed application
Two recommendations attesting to the applicant’s potential to successfully complete graduate study
GRE Scores – General Test
Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended
Typed personal essay (minimum 500 words) in which you discuss your reasons for seeking graduate education. Include your career goals and how the graduate program in communication sciences and disorders would help to meet those goals, prior work/life experiences which relate to your interest in, and aptitude for, the graduate program for which you are applying; and your perception of your intellectual capability to successfully complete the graduate program.
Applications to the Communication Sciences and Disorders program are due annually by February 1st for consideration for admission to the subsequent fall semester. Applicants are notified of a decision by March 1st and must accept the offer-of-admission by submitting a deposit by April 15th. Deposits are refundable provided a written withdrawal/refund request is submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies prior to June 30th.

*Undergraduate Prerequisite Requirements:

The graduate curriculum is designed to meet the needs of individuals holding an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, as well as individuals who have an out-of-discipline baccalaureate degree. For students, whose baccalaureate degrees are in other disciplines, the following prerequisite course work should be completed prior to acceptance in the graduate program. This prerequisite course work is currently available online – visit www.longwood.edu/cehs/SLPonline/index.htm.

Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanisms
Phonetics (Transcription)
Speech Science
Introduction to Audiology and Hearing Science
Language Development Across the Lifespan
Phonology and Language Disorders
Introduction to Clinical Practice
Neurology of Human Communication

Program Requirements for the Masters Degree:
EDUC 502         Research Design (3)
CSDS 520         Language Disorders in Infants and Preschool Children (3)
CSDS 522         Advanced Study in Articulation and Phonology (2)
CSDS 525         Language Disorders in School Aged Children and Adolescents (3)
CSDS 530         Ethics and Professional Issues in Communication Disorders (2)
CSDS 540         Aural Rehabilitation (3)
CSDS 542         Motor Speech Disorders (2)
CSDS 565         Public School Methods in a Diverse Society (3)
CSDS 575         Fluency Disorders (2)
CSDS 580         Initial Practicum (On Campus) (2) *
CSDS 610         Feeding and Swallowing Disorders across the Lifespan (3)
CSDS 615         Aphasia and Right Hemisphere Disorder (3)
CSDS 620         Traumatic Brain Injury (1)
CSDS 625         Voice Disorders (3)
CSDS 630         Craniofacial Anomalies (1)
CSDS 640         Augmentative Communication (1)
CSDS 680         Practicum (Off Campus) (1-4) *
CSDS 685         Externship (3-6) *
CSDS 600         Thesis (3)
OR CSDS 699         Comprehensive Examination (0)
TOTAL REQUIRED CREDIT HOURS:      48

*Graduation requirement is a minimum of 13 credit hours of practicum/externship, 6 of which must be in CSDS 685. Practicum/externship may not be taken for more than a total of 16 semester credit hours. Each student will plan practicum experiences with an advisor; however, each student assumes responsibility for the accumulation of the necessary ASHA clock hours. Prerequisite: 25 hours of approved observation

Students in the master’s program in Communication Sciences and Disorders take the Praxis II National Exam in Speech-Language Pathology toward the conclusion of their graduate program. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) requires a passing score on this examination for certification as a speech-language pathologist and the Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology requires a passing score for licensure.

Speech-language pathologists seeking public school employment in the Commonwealth of Virginia are required to earn teacher licensure. Passing scores on Praxis I, or an equivalent SAT score, are required. For teacher licensure, students at the graduate level should take the SPED 545 Psychoeducational Assessment 3 credits.

All students are required to participate in the Longwood University Speech-Language Clinic Program. To meet ASHA accreditation requirements, all students must complete a minimum of 325 hours of supervised clinical experience at the graduate level and a minimum of 400 hours, including 25 observation hours, from the combined undergraduate and graduate programs. The 400 hours will include experience in the evaluation and treatment of children and adults and with a variety of types and severities of disorders of speech, language and hearing. Completion of at least 30 graduate clinic hours is recommended in the Longwood University Speech-Language Clinic prior to off-campus practicum placement. Students must complete a minimum of two off-campus practicum experiences approved by the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department.

Admission to the graduate program does not guarantee admission to off-campus practicum placements. Admission to these placements depends on the quality of the graduate student’s academic record, clinical performance in the University clinic, and possession of characteristics necessary to pursue a career in speech-language pathology. Permission to engage in off-campus practicums requires application by the student and will be the decision of the CSDS Clinical Affairs Committee based on the criteria developed for off-campus practicum placement. Students must complete an application and 150 clinical clock hours prior to initiation of externship.

A minimum letter grade of B- must be earned in each CSDS practicum and externship course in order to count clinical clock hours. To graduate with a master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders, a 3.0 average must be maintained, as with all Longwood University graduate programs.

For more information, contact the Program Coordinator, Dr. Carol C. Dudding, Hull Building, Room 220, 434-395-2341, duddingcc@longwood.edu, mailing address Longwood University, 201 High Street, Farmville, VA 23909.