All students must meet the Requirements for the Master's Degree
Overview
The Master of Science degree program in Communication Sciences and Disorders is designed to provide in-depth knowledge and skills in the areas required for a career in speech-language pathology. The course of study provides students with the academic background and clinical opportunities required in preparation for their Clinical Fellowship and ultimately the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP), allowing them to pursue a satisfying and rewarding career in health care, medicine, education, or research.
The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at the University of Vermont is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders includes the Eleanor M. Luse Center for Communication: Speech, Language, and Hearing. This is an active clinic providing speech-language and audiology services to the community. It also serves as a key practicum site for students throughout their graduate studies. All students are supervised by clinically certified members of the faculty of the Eleanor M. Luse Center and affiliated practicum sites.
The CSD faculty conduct research in areas such as speech and language development, speech sound disorders and apraxia of speech, fluency and stuttering, autism and theory of mind, brain injury and cognitive-communication disorders. Many opportunities are available for graduate students who wish to become involved in faculty research projects.
Specific Requirements
Requirements for Admission to Graduate Studies for the Degree of Master of Science
Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Completion of courses equivalent to:
| CSD 3710 | Introduction to Audiology | 3 |
| CSD 1230 | Linguistics for Clinicians | 3 |
| or LING 1500 | Introduction to Linguistics | |
| CSD 1940 | Dev of Spoken Language | 3 |
| CSD 2010 | Speech & Hearing Science | 0 or 4 |
| CSD 1220 | Introduction to Phonetics | 3 |
| or LING 2510 | Phonetics | |
| CSD 3810 | Intro Cognitive Neuroscience (or an equivalent Human Neuroanatomy course) | 3 |
| College Level Statistics | 3 | |
Applicants must complete all of the above prerequisite courses before entering the program. Students are also required to complete 25 observation hours obtained according to guidelines provided by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Students must complete these 25 observation hours before they begin their graduate program. Additionally, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Standard IV-A for certification requires evidence of previous course work in the biological sciences, physical sciences (i.e. physics or chemistry), statistics, and the social/behavioral sciences.
Minimum Degree Requirements
All students are required to complete mandatory course work in pursuit of the M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders. This course work includes content areas met by the following CSD courses:
| CSD 6430 | Augmentative Communication | 3 |
| CSD 6200 | Clinic Preparation&Management | 3 |
| CSD 6210 | Clinic Practicum Study 1 | 1 |
| CSD 6220 | Clinic Practicum Study 2 | 2 |
| CSD 6230 | Clinic Practicum Study 3 | 3 |
| CSD 6240 | Clinic Practicum Study 4 | 2 |
| CSD 6250 | Clinic Practicum Study 5 | 3 |
| CSD 6260 | Clinic Practicum Supplemental (optional) | 1 |
| CSD 6290 | School Based Issues for SLPs | 1 |
| CSD 6330 | Assmt & Treatmt of Stuttering | 3 |
| CSD 6300 | Spch Snd Disorders in Children | 3 |
| CSD 6310 | Language Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 6320 | Seminar Lang/Lrng Disabilities | 3 |
| CSD 6340 | Swallowing Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 6350 | Neurogenic Comm. Disorders 1 | 3 |
| CSD 6460 | Voice Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 6450 | Neurogenic Comm. Disorders 2 | 3 |
| CSD 6720 | Hearing Rehab for SLPs | 3 |
| NH 6899 | Fundamentals Critical Inquiry | 3 |
| Masters thesis (CSD 6391), research project (CSD 6385), or non-thesis sequence of courses focusing on clinical systematic reviews (CSD 6381 and CSD 6385) | 3-6 | |
| Total Credits | 51-54 | |
In total, 48-51 credits of graduate course work are required for the non-thesis track and 51-54 credits of graduate course work for students who write a thesis. Equivalent graduate-level course work, up to nine credits, may be waived if approved by the graduate program coordinator, reducing the total number of in-residence credits needed for completion of the program.
| OPTION A (THESIS) | ||
| The student will complete 45-48 credits of graduate-level courses and 6 additional credits (CSD 6391) for conducting the research leading to an M.S. thesis | ||
| OPTION B (NON-THESIS) | ||
| Students choosing the non-thesis option will complete 45-48 credits required for the degree, and at least 3 credits of non-thesis research (CSD 6381 and/or CSD 6385 – research project or Systematic Reviews course) | ||
Comprehensive Examination
The portfolio is used by this department as an alternative form of Comprehensive Examination; it provides a rich demonstration of the students’ achievements in their course of study. Each student’s portfolio includes a set of four reflective essays as well as academic and clinical artifacts selected by the student to reflect growth in specific areas of academic and clinical knowledge and skills required by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Vermont Department of Education. Other aspects of growth to be demonstrated include increasing rigor in critical thinking and methods of inquiry for research and its application.
Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Master of Science
Students will be admitted to candidacy when the following criteria have been met:
- A minimum of 375 hours of supervised clinical practicum.
- 25 hours of guided clinical observation.
- 36 graduate credits and completion of a written comprehensive examination in the form of a portfolio.