Communication Disorders, Master of Arts (M.A.)
General Information
The Master of Arts Program in Communication Disorders is a two-year, full time program leading to eligibility for certification/licensure in Speech-Language Pathology by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and Kentucky Board of Speech-Language Pathology. More complete information concerning the graduate program can be reviewed by accessing the Program website at https://cd.eku.edu.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Program
To be eligible for consideration for admission into the M.A. Program in Communication Disorders, applicants must meet the requirements for admission to the Eastern Kentucky University Graduate School and have a bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders or a related field with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 overall which includes the fall semester prior to the application deadline of Feb. 15. Candidates admitted with a degree other than Communication Disorders must complete program pre-requisites before starting the graduate curriculum.
The following documentation must be submitted with the online application:
- Undergraduate transcripts showing all college level courses completed.
- A personal essay of approximately 500 words describing the applicant’s professional objectives.
A review of applications will result in an initial selection of candidates to interview. CSD faculty will conduct the interviews and make final admissions decisions based upon GPA, the personal essay, and candidate interview.
Once a candidate’s application has been approved, the following documentation is necessary before official admission:
Background Check - The CD Program requires a state criminal history background check approved1 by the College of Education and Applied Human Sciences as a condition of admission. Under certain circumstances, a national criminal background check may be required as a condition of admission. An additional state criminal background check approved1 by the College of Education and Applied Human Sciences is required prior to beginning off campus externship courses (CSD 897 School Experiences in CD, CSD 898 Externship in Comm Disorders) or may be required at additional points in the program. Under certain circumstances, a national criminal background check may be required. Students must purchase professional liability insurance prior to enrollment in clinical practicum courses. Further, that insurance coverage must be maintained throughout enrollment in the graduate program.
- 1
“Approved” is a formal review process of the criminal records report. Any misrepresentation of facts, by omission or addition, may result in the denial of admission to the Communication Disorders Program or enrollment in off campus externship courses.
Admission to Eastern Kentucky University’s undergraduate program in Communication Disorders does not guarantee acceptance into Eastern Kentucky University’s graduate program. There are limited spaces available in the graduate program. The most qualified applicants are admitted. Admission is based upon the criteria described above. Application forms are available online at the Graduate Education and Research website, http://gradschool.eku.edu/apply. Submit the completed application for admission with all required documents (application form, official transcripts, essay) by February 15 to the Office of Graduate Education and Research.
Professional Code of Ethics
The ASHA Code of Ethics outlines professional guidelines for ethical professional conduct and decision-making in the field of speech-language pathology. Students are expected to abide by the ASHA Code of Ethics available at http://www.asha.org/Code-of-Ethics/
Program Requirements
CIP Code: 51.0203
Probation and Progress in the Program – If, in any semester of study, a candidate’s graduate grade point average falls below 3.0 for all courses taken after admission to the program, the candidate will automatically be on academic probation. The candidate will be dismissed from the program following any second semester with a cumulative GPA below 3.0. A candidate in the program, who earns more than two “Cs”, or one “D”, or one “F” in courses taken after admission, will be dismissed from the program.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Communication Disorders Core | ||
| CSD 720 | Augment & Alternat Comm System | 3 |
| CSD 863 | Motor Speech Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 867 | Advanced Language Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 873 | Adv. Artic. & Phono. Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 874 | Grad Pract: Speech-Lang Path (three-hour course taken three times) | 9 |
| CSD 875 | Adult Neuro. Lang. Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 876 | Advanced Voice Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 877 | Advanced Fluency Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 878 | Diagnosis of Comm Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 879 | Dsyphagia | 3 |
| CSD 880 | Research Methodology Comm Dis | 3 |
| Approved Electives/Research Option | ||
| Candidates who apply for and are selected to the Research Option will take: | ||
| CSD 899 | Research Project/Thesis Option | 3 |
| Choose from six hours of approved electives from areas such as CSD, CDF, COU, EDC, EDF, EME, EMG, EMS, ENG, EPY, HEA, MPH, NFA, NSC, NUR, OTS, PHE, PSY, SED, and/or STA | 6 | |
| Professional Semester I | ||
| CSD 870 | Prof Issues in Comm Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 898 | Externship in Comm Disorders | 6 |
| or CSD 897 | School Experiences in CD | |
| Professional Semester II | ||
| CSD 897 | School Experiences in CD | 6 |
| or CSD 898 | Externship in Comm Disorders | |
| Approved Elective if needed | ||
| Exit Requirements | ||
| GRD 877N | MAED Com Disorder Written Comp | 0 |
| or GRD 878W | MAED Commun Disorder Oral Comp | |
| Total Hours | 63 | |
If candidates have not completed a course in Neural Bases of Communication; Speech and Hearing Science; School Services in Communication Disorders; Statistics; and Chemistry or Physics with a grade of “C” or higher, then these courses must be completed to meet the requirements for graduation, certification/licensure in Speech-Language Pathology by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and Kentucky Board of Speech-Language Pathology.
Exit Requirements
The following are the exit requirements for the M.A. in Communication Disorders:
- Program GPA: Candidates must earn an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, with no grade lower than a C.
- Key Assessments: Candidates will have opportunities to demonstrate professional growth through key assessments covering major program components.
- A thesis and oral defense - GRD 877N MAED Com Disorder Written Comp (Research Option) or a written comprehensive examination covering education and major program components – GRD 878W MAED Commun Disorder Oral Comp (Non-Research Option).
Clinical Clock Hours Requirement
Candidates must complete 375 clinical clock hours before exiting from the graduate program. This requirement will meet the number of hours specified for national certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and will meet or exceed the hours required for Kentucky Licensure in Speech-Language Pathology. Clinical experiences for accruing clock hours are offered through CSD 874 Grad Pract: Speech-Lang Path, CSD 897 School Experiences in CD, and CSD 898 Externship in Comm Disorders. A maximum of 50 clinical clock hours accrued at the undergraduate level may be counted with appropriate documentation. A minimum of 25 clock hours of (documented) clinical observation must be completed prior to earning these clinical clock hours.
Licensure
Candidates seeking national certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and state licensure by the Kentucky Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology must complete the appropriate PRAXIS exams.