Speech-Language Pathology (MA)

Program Educational Goals:

The Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSCD) program is designed for students entering the field of speech-language pathology who want to develop the academic and clinical proficiencies needed to increase the well-being of individuals with communication and swallowing difficulties. This entry-level degree program provides students the necessary coursework and practicum experiences to apply for certification in speech-language pathology (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Our scope of practice prepares the student for academic and clinical competency in nine major disorder areas of communication and oral function:

• Articulation
• Fluency
• Voice and resonance, including respiration and phonation 
• Receptive and expressive language (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics) in speaking, listening, reading, writing, and manual modalities
• Hearing, including the impact on speech and language
• Swallowing (oral, pharyngeal, esophageal, and related functions, including oral function for feeding; orofacial myofunction)
• Cognitive aspects of communication (attention, memory, sequencing, problem-solving, executive functioning)
• Social aspects of communication (challenging behavior, ineffective social skills, lack of communication opportunities)
• Communication modalities (including oral, manual, augmentative and alternative communication techniques, and assistive technologies)

Upon completion of the MA program in CSCD, students will be able to demonstrate the following competencies. These competencies will be assessed and documented through academic coursework, capstone completion, and clinical application:

• Evaluation and intervention for each of the nine disorder areas, including their etiologies, characteristics, anatomical/physiological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates.
• Critically review, appraise, and synthesize the evidence-based research and clinical literature relevant to CSCD. 
• Integrate basic principles of ethics, counseling, and cultural sensitivity within interpersonal and professional activities relevant to CSCD.
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills for disseminating research and engaging in professional practice (i.e., advocacy, interprofessional collaborations, counseling) in CSCD.