Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Degree Levels:
- Master
- Delivery Options:
- St. Cloud (On Campus)
Communication Sciences and Disorders M.S.
The Communication Sciences and Disorders program prepares graduates for a career in a variety of settings such as schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and private practice. Having completed course work and clinical experiences, students are prepared for speech-language pathologist licensure in Minnesota.
This program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Knowledge and skills acquisitions (KASA) are documented in line with American Speech-Language-Hearing Association certification standards. Due to accrediting agency standards, we can only admit full-time students.
Program Requirements
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Apply
The St. Cloud State Advantage
- Offered in two phases to accommodate both students who had clinical experience as an undergrad and those who did not
- Graduates are eligible to apply for Minnesota Department of Education and/or Minnesota Department of Health licensure as speech-language pathologists
- Students provide diagnostic and therapy services in speech-language pathology and audiology for children and adults through the university's Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic
- 100% pass rate 2 straight years on the Praxis exam, and consistently exceed CAA's required completion rate. See the Student Achievement Data for historical pass rates.
- The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology at St. Cloud State University 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.
Admission Details
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders conducts the admission process once per year.
- Admission candidacy is based on multiple criteria, including the applicant's undergraduate and/or graduate GPA, educational and professional experiences, and on recommendation from professional or educational sources through a Likert scale system.
- Qualified candidates may be invited to interview with faculty members and current graduate students and tour the facilities. Applicants unable to visit campus due to travel distance will have the opportunity to interview remotely via Zoom.
Wait listed students are typically notified of the final decision by April 30 each year.
Phase I and Phase II
The Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders is subdivided into Phase I and Phase II. A student must have applied and been accepted into the CSD graduate program in order to complete courses in either phase of the degree program. Admission standards and application deadlines are the same for students accepted into Phase I and Phase II.
Students begin study at Phase I if they are accepted into the graduate program without an undergraduate degree or preparation in the professional discipline or with less than 25 credits of CSD course work. Students with an undergraduate major or minor in communication disorders initiate study at Phase II.
Phase I Overview
The courses in Phase I are prerequisites for Phase II courses. Students will not be permitted to enroll in Phase II courses until Phase I courses have been completed. Phase I consists of a minimum of 33 semester credits. Additional Phase I credits would be required for students with baccalaureate degrees that did not include at least one course in each of the following four areas:
- Human biology
- Physical science
- Mathematics
- Social/behavioral sciences
Phase II Overview
Phase II consists of 49 credits that entail 37 credits of academic course work and a minimum of 12 credits of practicum. Phase II credit requirements may exceed 49 credits if prerequisites have not been met, students elect to complete additional course work, or an additional practicum is required to meet clinical clock hour requirements for certification.
Advising
Once admitted to the program, you will be assigned an adviser. Your adviser will help you plan out your course of study. It is critical that incoming graduate students meet with their adviser as soon as possible to begin planning their course of study.
Program Approval
Admitted students will develop a program of studies which must be approved by their adviser and graduate dean. Program approval must take place after the students have been admitted and prior to the completion of 16 credits of graduate study. Most students submit their program for approval in their first spring semester.
Application Deadlines*
| U.S. Citizens | International Outside U.S. |
International Inside U.S. |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | January 15 | January 15 | January 15 |
| Spring | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Summer | N/A | N/A | N/A |
*Phase 1 applications for Fall 2025 admission will be accepted until July 1.
Graduate Director: Dr. Rebecca Crowell
Additional Resources
Become a Husky Today!
