Communication Disorders and Sciences (MS)

http://education.uoregon.edu/CDS

Samantha Shune, Program Director
541-346-2480
HEDCO Education Building, Second Floor
cds@uoregon.edu

The master’s program offers all of the courses and clinical experiences required for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Certificate of Clinical Competence. The program also offers course work and clinical experiences required to obtain an Oregon teaching license to work in the public schools.

Master’s Degree

The master’s degree program provides students with the opportunity to acquire and apply knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary for work with individuals of all ages and of varying social, cultural, linguistic, and economic backgrounds who have cognitive communication and/or swallowing disorders.

Completion of the communication disorders and sciences program leads to a master of science (MS) degree. A program plan for the master’s degree is filed with the academic program coordinator and available on the program website.

Students who have fulfilled the undergraduate prerequisites typically spend two fall-through-spring academic years and one summer session completing the degree as a full-time student. Every student completes an evidence-based practice project, equivalent to a master’s thesis, that integrates research and applied clinical experience. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required for students to maintain good standing in the program and for graduation.

Application and Admission

On the average, the communication disorders and sciences program admits 30 master’s degree applicants each year. Applicants should have a minimum overall GPA of 3.00 with a 3.50 GPA in their major. The Graduate Record Examination is not required for admission.

Students for whom English is not a native language must pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 600 or above for the paper version or a score of 100 or above for the Internet-based version. International students who plan to participate in clinical practicums and work toward national certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association must pass the Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK) test with a score of 50.

Instructions for applying to the program are available online at the communication disorders and sciences website. Application materials must be received by January 15 for entry the following September.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate the following attributes and abilities and demonstrate those attributes and abilities in the manners identified: Accountability, Integrity, Effective Communication Skills, Critical Reasoning, Evidence-Based Practice, Concern for Individuals Served, Cultural Competence, Professional Duty, Collaborative Practice. (CAA Standard 3.1.1B Professional Practice Competencies)
• Demonstrate knowledge of the discipline of human communication sciences and disorders; basic human communication and swallowing processes, including the appropriate biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural bases; ability to integrate information pertaining to normal and abnormal human development across the life span; nature of communication and swallowing processes (CAA Standard 3.1.2B Foundations of Speech-Language Pathology Practice)
• Demonstrate knowledge of principles and methods of identification of communication and swallowing disorders and differences, and principles and methods of prevention of communication and swallowing disorders. (CAA Standard 3.1.3B Identification and Prevention of Speech, Language, and Swallowing Disorders and Differences)
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills in assessment across the lifespan for disorders and differences associated with Articulation; Fluency; Voice and resonance, including respiration and phonation; Receptive and expressive language (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, prelinguistic communication, and paralinguistic communication) in speaking, listening, reading, writing, and manual modalities; Hearing, including the impact on speech and language; Swallowing (oral, pharyngeal, esophageal, and related functions, including oral function for feeding; orofacial myology); Cognitive aspects of communication (e.g., attention, memory, sequencing, problem solving, executive functioning); Social aspects of communication (e.g., behavioral and social skills affecting communication); and Augmentative and alternative communication needs. (CAA Standard 3.1.4B Evaluation of Speech, Language, and Swallowing Disorders and Differences)
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills in intervention for communication and swallowing differences with individuals across the lifespan to minimize the effect of those disorders and differences on the ability to participate as fully as possible in the environment and intervention for disorders and differences associated with Articulation; Fluency; Voice and resonance, including respiration and phonation; Receptive and expressive language (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, prelinguistic communication, and paralinguistic communication) in speaking, listening, reading, writing, and manual modalities; Hearing, including the impact on speech and language; Swallowing (oral, pharyngeal, esophageal, and related functions, including oral function for feeding; orofacial myology); Cognitive aspects of communication (e.g., attention, memory, sequencing, problem solving, executive functioning); Social aspects of communication (e.g., behavioral and social skills affecting communication); and Augmentative and alternative communication needs (CAA Standard 3.1.5B Intervention to Minimize the Effects of Changes in the Speech, Language, and Swallowing Mechanisms)
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills in working with individuals with the aforementioned communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan and by demonstration of ethical conduct; integration and application of knowledge of the interdependence of speech, language, and hearing; engagement in contemporary professional issues and advocacy; processes of clinical education and supervision; professionalism and professional behavior in keeping with the expectations for a speech-language pathologist; Interaction skills and personal qualities, including counseling and collaboration; Self-evaluation of effectiveness of practice. (CAA Standard 3.1.6B General Knowledge and Skills Applicable to Professional Practice)

Communication Disorders and Sciences Major Requirements

*Students who wish to obtain a master of arts degree must complete the equivalent of two years of a second language.

ASHA Requirements

In addition to the core master's degree requirements, additional course work may be needed to fulfill ASHA certification requirements. Of the 50 credits, 36 must be taken at the graduate level.