Programs

Undergraduate

Communication Sciences & Disorders (B.S. and BES)

We emphasize basic communication sciences, normal development of communication, communication differences and disorders and clinical interventions with a goal of providing you with a solid knowledge base on which to build your professional skills. A master's degree is the minimum degree required to be able to practice as a speech-language pathologist in the United States.

Students must complete one course each in biological sciences, physical sciences, social/behavioral sciences and statistics as part of their general education.

Minors are available in:

• Deaf Education
• Speech-Language Pathology

Graduate

Communication Sciences & Disorders (M.S.)

We accept 23-26 students each year and prepare them to diagnose and treat individuals with communication differences and disorders in a variety of clinical settings and work toward earning the professional credentials set by the Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Education and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Admission Requirements

• GPA: 3.0
• A personal statement which highlights:
  • Examples of how the applicant resonates with the values/mission/vision of our Department
  • Examples of how the applicant's lived experiences have shaped them as an individual
  • Examples of the applicant's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work/experiences
  • Examples of the applicant's engagement in high impact learning practices/volunteering activities
• Three letters of recommendation from faculty familiar with the applicant's potential for success in graduate school
• A baccalaureate degree in CSD is required for a student to go directly to Phase II (see program website).
• Students with a baccalaureate degree in another discipline must complete Phase I before beginning Phase II (see program website).

Immunizations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must be up to date when you enter our program; without them you may be denied access to medical and educational clinical rotation sites, which may delay your graduation.

We request criminal background checks from the Minnesota Department of Human Services for clinical practicum students.  Students concerned about passing a background check should contact the Student Relations & Experiential Learning Director in the College of Health and Wellness Professions at 320-308-4238.

Certificate

Autism Certificate Program

If you have a graduate licensure in speech-language pathology, special education or behavior analysis and have taken courses on disabilities and behavior theories/practices, you can complete this certificate program in the summer.

It provides advanced, specialized training for professionals who work with early childhood and school-age students with autism spectrum disorders.

Courses are offered through the departments of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Community Psychology, Counseling, and Family Therapy and Special Education.