graduate program

The Department of Communication Disorders offers the master of science degree in speech-language pathology through the School of Health and Human Services. Matriculated students come from a variety of undergraduate degree programs. Their differing preparations provide a welcome diversity which enriches the program's educational offerings. The program is designed to prepare students to practice as skilled speech-language pathologists in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, clinics, public and private schools and private practice. The educational program includes instruction in a broad array of diagnostic and treatment paradigms as well as supervised hands-on experience in the department's Center for Communication Disorders and at selected off-campus sites including schools and hospitals.

The curriculum prepares students to serve as effective professionals in speech-language pathology. All students acquire a core of knowledge in linguistics, psycholinguistics, swallowing and normal developmental processes, as well as in the development of oral communication, speech and hearing science and auditory processes.  Students learn the requisite skills to diagnose and treat children and adults with disorders in: developmental language, articulation and phonology, neurophysiologically-based speech and language, fluency, swallowing, voice and velopharyngeal function. Students also become proficient in the use and applicaton of augmentative and alternative forms of communication and in the implementation of collaborative service delivery models.