The Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Note: The MA pattern is used to complete requirements for the Clinical Rehabilitative Language, Speech, and Hearing Services Credential. CBEST must be passed prior to admission to a credential-related internship.

New American Speech Language Hearing Association accreditation standards are being implemented in fall 2003. Please see your adviser regarding curricular changes.

Course Requirements for the Master’s Degree: 30 units

Continuous enrollment is required. A maximum of 9 semester units of transfer credit may be applied toward the degree.
Graduate Time Limit: All requirements for the degree are to be completed within five years of the end of the semester of enrollment in the oldest course applied toward the degree. See “Graduate Education” in The University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

Prerequisites for Admission to Conditionally Classified Status:

1. Satisfactory grade point average as specified in “Admission to Master’s Degree Programs” in The University Catalog.

2. Approval by the department and the Office of Graduate Programs.

3. An acceptable baccalaureate from an accredited institution, or an equivalent approved by the Office of Graduate Programs.

4. Three letters of recommendation (submitted to the Graduate Coordinator) for any applicant whose baccalaureate was not completed under the CSU, Chico Communication Sciences and Disorders Program.

Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

Completion of the Miller Analogies Test or the Graduate Record Examination.

Advancement to Candidacy:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Formation of the graduate advisory committee in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator. Normally the committee will be formed during the student’s first semester and will consist of at least three members; the chair of the committee must be a member of the Communication Sciences and Disorders faculty.

2. Development of an approved program in consultation with the graduate advisory committee.

3. Classified graduate standing and completion of 9 units of the proposed program at the university with at least a 3.0 grade point average.

Requirements for the MA Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders:

Completion of all requirements as established by the program, graduate advisory committee, the Graduate Coordinator, and the Office of Graduate Programs, to include:

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 52-60 units of 200/300-level courses as follows:
(a) 52-60 units in the discipline of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
(b) At least three quarters of the units required for the degree in 300-level courses.
(c) Not more than 9 semester units of transfer and/or extension credit (correspondence courses and U.C. extension course work are not acceptable).
(d) Not more than 15 units taken before admission to classified status.
(e) Not more than a total of 10 units of Independent Study (398) and Master’s Thesis (399) or Master’s Project (399); not more than 6 units of Master’s Thesis (399) or Master’s Project (399).
(f) Completion of 375 practicum hours in accordance with ASHA requirements.
(g) Course work must be selected each semester according to the following sequence of offerings:

First Fall Semester Courses

CMSD 320 Neuroanatomy of Speech/Language 3.0 FA

CMSD 333 Prof Aspects Speech-Lang Path 3.0 FA

CMSD 339 Differential Diagnosis 3.0 FA

CMSD 340 Assess & Mgmt of Auditory Disord 3.0 FA

CMSD 384 Advanced Clinical Practice 2.0 FS

First Spring Semester

CMSD 331 Disorders of Rhythm/Fluency 3.0 SP

CMSD 336 Neuropath Language and Cognition 3.0 SP

CMSD 352 Seminar in Language Disorders 3.0 SP

CMSD 360 Experimental Phonetics 3.0 Inq

CMSD 363 Seminar: Speech/Hearing Sciences 3.0 Inq

CMSD 384 Advanced Clinical Practice 2.0 FS

Second Year Courses/Practica (it is expected that this will take two semesters)

CMSD 330 Disorders of Artic & Phonology 3.0 FA

CMSD 332 Sem in Comm Sciences & Disorders 3.0 SP

CMSD 335 Cleft Palate & Voice Disorders 3.0 FA

Prerequisites: CMSD 320.

CMSD 384 Advanced Clinical Practice 2.0 FS

CMSD 389 Internship in Speech-Lang Path 1.0-8.0 FS

CMSD 398A-CMSD 398C (1-3 units) or CMSD 399A-CMSD 399F (1-6 units thesis), CMSD 399G-CMSD 399L (1-6 units project)

Electives

CMSD 260 Communication and Aging 3.0 FA

Prerequisites: Senior or graduate standing.

CMSD 342 Neuropath of Swallow & Speech 3.0 SP

Prerequisites: CMSD 320.

CMSD 344 Prof Practice Non-School Setting 3.0 Inq

CMSD 375 Method Pub Sch Speech/Lang Path 2.0 FS

Practica are not part of the master’s degree program plan, but are applicable toward licensing and credentialing. Professional liability insurance is required for participation in clinical practica. Hepatitis B inoculations are required prior to working in off-campus settings.

2. One of the following plans:
(a) Thesis Plan: This plan requires a thesis (including appropriate enrollment in CMSD 399) plus at least 24 units of graduate-level courses. A public presentation of the thesis will be conducted. Students who are planning to continue their educations to the doctoral level or who are interested in a career in speech and hearing sciences or research are encouraged to choose the thesis plan.
(b) Comprehensive Plan: This plan requires at least 30 units of graduate-
level course work, including appropriate enrollment in CMSD 398D. Comprehensive examinations will be conducted.

3. Demonstration of research and writing competence.

4. Demonstration of clinical competence in speech-language pathology and audiology and completion of 375 practicum hours.

5. Deviation from the curriculum outlined above will only be considered upon advice and consent of the student’s graduate advisory committee and the Graduate Coordinator.

6. Electives used to make up the 30 units may be selected by the student with the advice and consent of the student’s graduate advisory committee and the Graduate Coordinator.

7. Approval by the graduate advisory committee, the Graduate Coordinator, and the Graduate Coordinators Committee on behalf of the faculty of the university.

8. In most cases, the MA pattern is used to complete requirements for the Clinical Rehabilitative Language, Speech, and Hearing Services Credential. CBEST must be passed prior to admission to a credential-related internship.

Graduate Literacy Requirement:

Writing proficiency is a graduation requirement.

Communication Sciences and Disorders students will demonstrate their writing competence through successful completion of CMSD 330, Articulation and Phonology.

Graduate Grading Requirements:

All courses in the major (with the exceptions of Independent Study-398 and Master’s Study-399) must be taken for a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as ABC/No Credit (200-level courses), AB/No Credit (300-level courses), or Credit/No Credit grading only. A maximum of 10 units combined of ABC/No Credit, AB/No Credit, and Credit/No Credit grades may be used on the approved program (including 398, 399, and courses outside the major). While grading standards are determined by individual programs and instructors, it is also the policy of the university that unsatisfactory grades may be given when work fails to reflect achievement of the high standards, including high writing standards, expected of students pursuing graduate study.

Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all course work on the approved master’s degree program as well as in all course work taken subsequent to admission to conditionally classified status.

Graduate Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory each semester for Communication Sciences and Disorders majors. Consult the Graduate Coordinator for specifics.

NOTE: All CMSD graduate courses require admission to the CMSD Master’s program.