Communication Disorders, M.S. - Speech Language Pathology (2024)

Prior to the start of the graduate program in communication disorders, you must completebothASHA prerequisite coursework and pre-professional coursework. Specific requirements for these prerequisites are outlined below.

ASHA Prerequisite Coursework

Prior to the start of the graduate program in communication disorders, you must complete courses in the following content areas:

• Biological (human or animal) (1 course)
• Physical Science (physics or chemistry) (1 course)
• Statistics (1 course)
• Social/Behavioral Science (psychology, sociology, anthropology, public health) (2 courses)

Pre-Professional Prerequisite Coursework

Prior to the start of the graduate program in communication disorders, you musteither:

• earn a bachelor's degree in communication disorders and sciences (speech-language-hearing sciences),OR
• have completed course content in the following areas:
  • Phonetics and Phonological Systems
  • Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanisms
  • Language Development
  • Introduction to Audiology and Hearing Science
  • Neurological Bases of Communication
  • Speech Science
  • Clinical Practice of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

1. Completion of all required and elective courses in a planned program with a GPA of at least 3.0 within the six-year limit.
2. Complete all clinical hours and practica requirements to meet ASHA and department standards.
3. Complete capstone - Either pass CMD 605 - Special Projects or successfully complete thesis (approved by School of Graduate Studies).

1. Pass Praxis II test for speech-language pathology. Be sure to use the following codes when taking the test to ensure that your score is sent to these agencies. If you are planning to apply for a license in a state other than Connecticut, you will need to be sure to look up the code for that state to have the scores sent directly to them as well.
   1. CT State Department of Public Health: Code R7051
   2. ASHA: Code R5031
   3. SCSU Records: Code RA3662

2. Apply for credentials to practice as a Speech Language Pathologist. The following are links to the agencies for licensure and teacher certification in Connecticut and for ASHA certification. It is important to review the requirements and contact the relevant agency for support.
   CT State Licensure
   Teacher Certification
   ASHA certification

Applicants must meet theadmissions requirements of the Graduate Schooland the Department of Communication Disorders.A cumulative undergraduate degree GPAof 3.0 or higher is required for admission to the Graduate School.In order to be considered for admission, you must have either a Bachelor's Degree in CMD or have completed both ASHA Pre-Requisite Coursework and Pre-Professional Coursework for the SCSU CMD Graduate Program.

For questions about required coursework, please reach out to our undergraduate program coordinator, Dr. Kelly Mabry, before submitting your application.

In order to apply to our program, you must complete applications inboththeCommunication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application (CSDCAS)andSouthern Connecticut State University's Graduate Application Portal.It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure ALL required documents have been received in both CSDCAS and the Graduate Application Portalby the January 15thdeadline.Applications not completed by the deadline will not be reviewed by the Admissions Committee.

GRE scores are NOT a requirement of the admissions process.However, standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, GRE, or PraxisCore) must be submitted to the SCSU Graduate Application Portal in order to meet the CT State Department of Education Teacher Certification requirements.

It is important that you review BOTH of the application procedures below and visit the Graduate Admission's website for detailed document submission information.

CSDCAS Application Process

Create an account, complete application materials inCSDCAS. Please read the directions outlined in CSDCAS carefully in order to complete your application.

Submit to CSDCAS:

• Official undergraduate and graduate degree transcripts fromallcolleges or universities attended.
• A resume, no more than 2 pages. See details in the CSDCAS portal.
• A 250-300 word well-written essay. See prompt in the CSDCAS portal.
• A brief, 2 minute video essay. See prompt in the CSDCAS portal.
• Three letters of recommendation (LORs). Chosen recommenders should be able to speak to the applicant's potential for success as a graduate student, as a professional in the field of speech-language pathology, or both. Faculty and/or direct supervisors of work in a related field with whom you have an established relationship are good choices for appropriate recommenders.Please be advised that if you choose to submit more than three letters of recommendation, the Admission’s Committee will only review the first three LORs listed in your application.
• Foreign transcripts from WES. (International students only).
• GRE scores are not required. However, standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, GRE, or PraxisCore) must be submitted to the SCSU Graduate Application Portal to meet the CT State Department of Education Teacher Certification requirements.

Office of Graduate Admissions Application Process

Submit the SCSU Graduate School application and fee via online submission. Once the Graduate Application is submitted, applicants will be given access to the Graduate Application Portal and will be responsible for submitting required materials to the Graduate School. ApplicantsMUSTcheck the Graduate Application Portal to make sure all materials have been processed by the Graduate School. If you have any questions, please call theOffice of Graduate Admissions.

Submit to the Graduate Application Portal:

• Official undergraduate and graduate degree transcripts fromallcolleges or universities attended.Unofficial transcripts will not be accepted. Transcripts can be submitted electronically to: graddocs@southernct.eduor mailed to the Graduate School at: 501 Crescent Street, Buley Library, Rm 444, New Haven, CT 06515
• Standardized test scores, either ACT, SAT, GRE, or PraxisCore, must be submitted to the SCSU Graduate Application Portal tomeet the Connecticut State Department of Education Teacher Certification requirement.Please use SCSU's code 3662 when submitting scores. Note: Scores currently do not have an expiration date for this requirement.
• Proof of English proficiency (see Graduate Catalog) and WES transcript evaluation (course-by-course) (INTERNATIONALstudents only).
• Please note, when confirming that your application is complete, if you are enrolled in a Bachelor’s Program at the time of applying, your file will indicate an outstanding requirement for proof of Bachelor’s Degree. This is expected if you have not completed your degree. Your file will be reviewed as complete if this is your only outstanding requirement. If you are accepted into the program, you will need to submit an official transcript showing proof of degree no later than two weeks prior to the start of the fall term.

PLEASE FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR DOCUMENT SUBMISSION OUTLINED ONCSDCASAND THEGRADUATE ADMISSION WEBSITE. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH APPLICANT TO REVIEW CSDCAS AND THE GRADUATE APPLICATION PORTAL TO VERIFY THAT ALL REQUIRED MATERIALS ARE RECEIVED BY JANUARY15.

Do I need to have an undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders in order to apply to the Master's Program?
You must either have an undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders or have completed both ASHA Pre-Requisite Coursework and Pre-Professional Coursework listed on for the SCSU CMD graduate program outlinedhere. For any questions about required coursework, please reach out to our Undergraduate Coordinator, Dr. Kelly Mabry (mabryk1@southernct.edu), to create a personalized plan PRIOR to applying to our graduate program. Please note: Federal financial aid may not be awarded for undergraduate courses taken while enrolled as a graduate student.

Do I need to submit GRE scores as part of the application process?
No, GRE scores are not required, however, submission of standardized test scores is necessary for the Connecticut State Department of Education requirements for school certification. In order to meet this requirement for admission, standardized scores from the GRE, PRAXIS Core, ACT, or SAT must be submitted as part of the application process to the Graduate School Application. Scores do not have an expiration date for this requirement.

Do I need to submit the PRAXIS® Core, formerly PRAXIS® I, SAT or ACT scores?
No, however, submission of standardized test scores is necessary for the Connecticut State Department of Education requirements for Special Services Endorsem*nt. All students complete clinical placements in a public school system, so all students must meet the University's requirements for school certification. Standardized scores from the GRE, PRAXIS Core, ACT, or SAT are acceptable. Scores do not have an expiration date for this requirement.

Is there a minimum undergraduate GPA required in order to be considered in the admissions process?
The minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA to be considered is 3.0, however, the average cumulative GPA of the incoming class is often higher than 3.5.

Is the Master’s Program in Speech Pathology a full-time program?
The Graduate Program in the SCSU Department of Communication Disorders is a full-time program and requires students to take a minimum of 9 – 12 credits per semester to successfully complete all 63 – 66 required credits within 5 semesters. Students enrolling in our program will want to be aware of the time and effort required to successfully engage in the academic and clinical experiences. If you have any questions about this expectation, please reach out to our Graduate Program Coordinator, Dr. Barbara Cook, atcookb5@southernct.edu.