Wondering whether a master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders might be right for you? Contact our office to ask questions or set up a conversation with one of our faculty.
Phone: 530-898-5871
Email: ssteffani@csuchico.edu
Explore how people understand, produce, and use language—and how to help when those abilities are affected by developmental delays, neurological conditions, or injury. The Communication Sciences and Disorders MS prepares you for national certification, state licensure, and the California Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential.
Through a comprehensive curriculum and hands-on clinical experience, you’ll build the skills and confidence to support individuals across their lifespan. Graduates are equipped to work in a wide range of settings, including early intervention programs, K–12 schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and private practice.
You’ll graduate ready to advocate for communication equity and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Preparing Future Speech-Language Pathologists
Acquire knowledge, skills, and clinical hours necessary to apply for the California State Speech-Language Pathology License, Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and the California Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential.
Fast-Growing Career Path
As a graduate of Chico State’s Communication Sciences and Disorders MS program, you’ll be entering one of the fastest-growing fields in health and education—ready to create meaningful impact in the lives of others from day one.
Our alumni thrive in a wide range of professional settings, including:
Private Practice and Clinics: Supporting clients across the lifespan, from early intervention for toddlers to cognitive therapy for older adults.
Schools: Serving students from preschool through age 22, helping them communicate more confidently and succeed in learning environments.
Medical and Rehabilitation Settings: Working in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health environments as part of multidisciplinary care teams.
With job placement success, our graduates are highly sought after—and they’re making a difference in communities throughout California and beyond.
Top 5
Ranked Program
in Washington Monthly's "Best Colleges in America for Master's Degrees"
$95K
Median Pay Per Year
with 18% projected job growth for speech-language pathologists by 2032
100%
Job Placement
for recent grads—with multiple job offers!
- Top 5
Ranked Program
in Washington Monthly's "Best Colleges in America for Master's Degrees"
- $95K
Median Pay Per Year
with 18% projected job growth for speech-language pathologists by 2032
- 100%
Job Placement
for recent grads—with multiple job offers!
Clinic for Communications Disorders
Our on-campus Clinic for Communication Disorders (CCD) provides no-cost speech and language evaluations and treatment services to community members from Chico and beyond. First-year CMSD graduate students complete on-campus clinical practicum at the CCD under licensed and certified SLP supervisors.
Engaging Research
As a graduate student you will have the opportunity to engage in research and attend national, regional, and local conferences. Interested students in the last five years have presented research at the California Speech-Language Hearing Association (CSHA) Annual Conference and the American Speech-Language Hearing Association National Conference.
Graduate Student Innovation
Faculty-mentored graduate students worked with members of the Chico Brain Injury Coalition’s support group on a research project to create a series of personalized radio segments that aired on community radio.
Out and About
Graduate students started an Out and About program for users of augmentative communication.
Community Care Engagement
Graduate students lead large group activities and small group speech and language interventions with a range of older adults at a local day health care center.
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Our field of work is incredibly wide. Chico State’s CMSD program allows you to explore multiple career paths based on one degree.
Ready for the Real World
Comprehensive Clinical Training
After being accepted into the graduate program, you will engage in diagnostic and clinical practice, along with academic seminars designed to enhance your scientific inquiry and clinical expertise in speech and hearing disorders. Our diverse practicum placements include hospitals, medical facilities, private practices, and public schools. Our students gain applied clinical experience, resulting in high-quality, evidence-based speech, language, and hearing services, both on and off campus. This comprehensive training prepares you for a successful career in a variety of professional settings.
Accessible Faculty
A special feature of Chico State’s program is the rapport between faculty members and students. Because of the residential character of the campus, faculty are accessible. The professional, yet relaxed, atmosphere and opportunities for one-on-one interaction with faculty members enhance student opportunities for learning within the curriculum.
Pass the PRAXIS
CMSD graduate students typically take the PRAXIS examination in the final semester of their program. Pass rates have been consistently at or above the national average over the past 15 years. PRAXIS pass rates for first attempt for the last three years have been approximately 90%.
A Well-Respected Program
CMSD is one of the five largest graduate programs at Chico State. It enjoys a reputation for academic excellence on campus and throughout the state.
Build Your Network
Join a pre-professional student organization, such as the National Student Speech, Language, and Hearing Association Chico Chapter, to make friends and expand your network.
Discover Stories and More
Chico State TodayApplication Information
Ready to earn your master in CMSD at Chico State and pursue a career as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist? Please review the most common questions for applicants.
All prospective students must first apply for graduate admissions through Cal State Apply. Supplementary materials will either be collected electronically via Cal State Apply or sent directly to the program department.
Application Deadlines
Fall: January-15
Spring: No spring admission
Supplemental Materials
- Three letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Personal essay
- Transcripts using the CSDCAS application
- GPA of 3.0
View the graduate application process page for more information about applying.
How to Apply
We're here to help! Reach out to graduate program coordinator Susan Steffani at ssteffani@csuchico.edu with any questions.
Graduate students can qualify for traditional financial aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA).
Scholarship Opportunities
California State University, Chico, provides merit and scholarship awards to deserving students for graduate studies, and many go unfilled. Scholarships are provided based on a variety of criteria, including academic merit, financial need, participation in clubs and activities, volunteer and community involvement, major and career goals, etc.
Most students have an undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders. You can still pursue this degree if your undergraduate degree was in a different field, but it requires a postbaccalaureate prerequisite program with sufficient coursework to bring you up to speed. Talk to the program coordinator for details.
The MS in communication sciences and disorders is a 56-unit program which can be completed in two years. Over 95 percent of our students complete the program within this time frame. On occasion, we have a student complete the program in three years.
The Communication Sciences and Disorders MS education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at California State University, Chico, is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
Also housed in the CMSD program is the Clinic for Communication Disorders and the campus chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA).
Related Programs
Communication Sciences and Disorders Department
Wondering whether a master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders might be right for you? Contact our office to ask questions or set up a conversation with one of our faculty.
Phone: 530-898-5871
Email: ssteffani@csuchico.edu