The Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Note: The MS pattern is used to complete requirements for the Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential. Information on current examination requirements can be found at www.ets.org/praxis.

Course Requirements for the Master's Degree: 56-59 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 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:

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

2. Successful completion of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) required undergraduate courses:

1. human-focused biological science course
2. chemistry or physics course
3. statistics course

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 MS 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:
Note: all courses must be taken for a letter grade unless is specified in the program as a CR/NC grading. 
In order to participate in clinical practicum and internships, the following are required: professional liability insurance, tuberculosis test, CPR certification, a Certificate of Clearance, and up to date vaccinations.

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 56-59 units of 400/500/600-level courses as follows:

1. At least 56 units in the discipline of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
2. At least three-quarters of the units required for the degree in 600-level courses.
3. 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 Regional and Continuing Education. (Correspondence courses and UC Extension coursework are not acceptable for transfer).
4. Not more than 15 units taken before admission to classified status.
5. 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).
6. Completion of 400 clock hours of supervised clinical experience in the practice of speech-language pathology.
7. A maximum of 18 units of credit/no credit may be applied to the degree.
8. Course work must be selected as follows:

12 courses required:

3 courses required:

Each course must be taken 2 times each. CMSD 689 must be taken for a total of 8 units.

2 courses required:

Each course must be taken 3 times each.

Note: all courses must be taken for a letter grade unless the course is specified in the program as CR/NC grading.

In order to participate on clinical practicum and internships, the following are required: professional liability insurance, tuberculosis test, CPR certification, a Certificate of Clearance, and up to date vaccinations.

2. Completion of one of the following plans:

(a) Comprehensive Plan: All required courses in addition to completion of a proctored 7-hour written comprehensive examination over 2 days. Failure of one or more questions will result in re-writing portions or all of the comprehensive examinations.

(b) Thesis Plan: All required courses in addition to completion of a thesis.  This plan is encouraged for 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.  A public presentation of the thesis will be conducted.  Students completing a thesis enroll in 3 units of Master's Thesis, CMSD 699T.

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 MS 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. 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.