The Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Note: The MA pattern is used to complete requirements for the Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential. Refer to the website www.ets.org/praxis.asha for information on current examination requirements.

Course Requirements for the Master's Degree: 52-60 units

Continuous enrollment is required. At the discretion of the academic program, a maximum of 30 percent of the units counted toward the degree requirements may be special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework.  This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through the Center for Regional and Continuing Education.

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 Master's Degree Requirements 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 Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Admission Requirements in the University Catalog.

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

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

4. Completion of the Graduate Record Exam.

Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

Successful completion of CMSD 488 Research Methods or equivalent, as determined by the faculty.

Advancement to Candidacy:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Development of an approved program plan in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.

2. Classified graduate standing.

3. Completion of two semesters of full-time coursework and clinic 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 Studies, to include:

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 52-60 units of 400/500/600-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 600-level courses.

(c) At the discretion of the academic program, a maximum of 30 percent of the units counted toward the degree requirements may be special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework. This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through the Center for Regional and Continuing Education. (Correspondence courses and UC Extension coursework are not acceptable for transfer).

(d) Not more than 15 units taken before admission to classified status.

(e) Not more than a total of 10 units of Independent Study (697) and Master's Thesis (699T) or Master's Project (699P); not more than 6 units of Master's Thesis (699T) or Master's Project (699P).

(f) Completion of 400 clock hours of supervised clinical experience in the practice of speech-language pathology.

(g) Course work must be selected each semester according to the following sequence of offerings:

First Fall Semester Courses

First Spring Semester

Second Fall Semester

OR (the following course may be substituted for the above)

Second Spring Semester

OR (the following course may be substituted for the above)

OR (the following course may be substituted for the above)

Professional liability insurance is required for participation in clinical practice. Hepatitis B inoculations and tuberculosis tests are required prior to working in off-campus settings. CPR certification is required prior to internships.

2. Completion of one of the following plans:

(a) Thesis Plan: This plan requires a thesis (including appropriate enrollment in CMSD 699T) plus at least 30 units of letter-graded graduate-level course work (Completion of 400 clock hours of supervised clinical experience in the practice of speech-language pathology). 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 35 units of letter-graded graduate-level course work including 6 graded, clinical practicum units, from 7-14 units of CR/NC clinical practicum units (400 clinical clock hours) and enrollment in CMSD 696 during the last semester of graduate study. CMSD 696 includes a proctored 7-hour written comprehensive examination over 2 days. Failure of one or more questions will result in re-writing comprehensive exams the following year.

3. Development and maintenance of a portfolio to demonstrate the following:

(a) competence in research, writing, and oral skills,

(b) clinical competence in speech-language pathology and in audiology screening, including completion of a minimum of 400 clock hours of supervised clinical experience in the practice of speech-language pathology.

4. Participation in annual Performance Reviews.

5. Deviation from the curriculum outlined above will only be considered upon advice and consent of the Graduate Coordinator.

6. Substitutions may be selected from outside the program by the student with the advice and consent of Graduate Coordinator.

7. Approval by the faculty, 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 Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential. CBEST must be passed prior to completion of the master's degree.

Graduate Requirement in Writing Proficiency:

Writing proficiency is a graduation requirement.

Communication Sciences and Disorders students will demonstrate their writing competence through successful completion of CMSD 682, Diagnostic Practicum.

Graduate Grading Requirements:

All courses in the major (with the exceptions of Independent Study - 697, Comprehensive Examination - 696, Master's Project - 699P, and Master's Thesis - 699T) must be taken for a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as ABC/No Credit (400/500-level courses), AB/No Credit (600-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 697, 696, 699P, 699T 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 minimum 3.0 grade point average in each of the following three categories: all course work taken at any accredited institution subsequent to admission to the master's program; all course work taken at CSU, Chico subsequent to admission to the program; and all courses on the approved master's degree program.

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.