Communication Sciences and Disorders (M.S.)

Program Admission Requirements

In addition to the Graduate School Admission Requirements , applicants must have achieved a B average calculated for the last two years overall. A personal interview may be requested. The General Test of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is required, as are three recommendations from former instructors who are in a position to judge the applicant’s aptitude for graduate study.

GRE Requirements:

3.5 on Writing portion, 290 minimum scored combined from analytical and quantitative portions.

GPA Requirements:

3.0 GPA or higher.

Letters of Recommendation:

3 letters of recommendation

Application Requirements:

Complete the WCU graduate school application. The WCU application requires unofficial transcripts.

Program Description

The program leading to the M.S. degree in communication sciences and disorders requires a minimum of 63 hours of graduate study, including completion of a series of supervised clinical internships totaling no less than 400 hours. Experiences will be obtained at on-campus and off-campus locations.

In addition to the academic requirements, students are expected to adhere to the technical and professional standards of the program. For the most up to date information regarding these standards, program suspension, and termination refer to the program’s website linked from the College of Health and Human Sciences.

The program adheres to the academic and clinical education requirements set by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists, and the North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction.

Full-time course load for graduate level students per term is nine hours. The maximum course load is fifteen hours per term. The maximum course load during summer term is twelve hours. Communication Sciences and Disorders students are exempt from the standard course load limit and may enroll into a maximum of nineteen hours per term. Course load regulations for the mini or summer session are published on the Registrar’s website at registrar.wcu.edu.

Course Requirements

CSD 620 - Infant Toddler Communication Credits: 3
CSD 630 - Professional Issues in Communication Sciences and Disorders Credits: 3
CSD 640 - Voice and Resonance Disorders Credits: 3
CSD 642 - Research in Communication Disorders Credits: 3
CSD 648 - Language Disorders - School Age Credits: 3
CSD 662 - Articulation and Phonological Disorders Credits: 3
CSD 664 - Culturally Responsive Practice in CSD Credits: 3
CSD 668 - Language Disorders-Preschool Credits: 3
CSD 672 - Language Disorders in Adults Credits: 3
CSD 673 - Neurogenic Speech Disorders Credits: 3
CSD 677 - Dysphagia: Swallowing and Pediatric Feeding Disorders Credits: 3
CSD 678 - AAC Assessment and Intervention Credits: 3

Electives (9 hours)

Three 3-hour guided electives in communication sciences and disorders. Choose one of the following two options:

1. Master’s Project

Two CSD electives (6 hours) in addition to

CSD 681 - Independent Study-Master’s Project Credits: 3

2. Thesis

One CSD elective (3 hours) in addition to six hours of

CSD 699 - Thesis Credits: 3, R6

Clinical Practicum in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Enrollment in Clinical Practicum in Communication Sciences and Disorders (below) is required each semester and must total no less than 15 credit hours.

CSD 683 - Clinical Practicum Credits: 1-3, R15

Required If Not Previously Completed

The following courses or their equivalent are required (if not completed previously at the bachelor’s level): CSD 301, 370, 372, 380, 450, 470, 472.