Communication Disorders and Sciences (MS)
The mission of the CDS master’s program is to prepare students to understand, assess, and treat individuals across diverse ethnic, cultural, linguistic, social, and economic backgrounds experiencing challenges in speech, language, literacy, communication, cognition, and swallowing. The program is dedicated to achieving excellence in student preparation via the integration of clinical and classroom education, the generation and application of research, and the provision of community outreach. Our vision is to train leaders in the field in an environment that encourages inclusion, critical thinking, freedom of inquiry, and social justice. 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.
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
The Communication Disorders and Sciences program typically matriculates 35 students each year. Additional information on program acceptance rates, student achievement data, and application instructions and deadlines can be found on the program website: https://education.uoregon.edu/cds/graduate.
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
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CDS 610 | Experimental Course: [Topic] (Management (Assessment, Treatment, and Counseling) for Individuals with Complex Communication Needs) | 4 |
| CDS 611 | Clinical Methods | 1 |
| CDS 620 | Workshop: Evidence-Based Practice 1 | 3 |
| CDS 621 | Practicum I | 18 |
| CDS 622 | Practicum II | 5 |
| CDS 623 | September Experience in Speech Language Pathology | 3 |
| CDS 624 | Medical Externship | 15 |
| CDS 625 | Final Full-Time Practicum | 15 |
| CDS 627 | Fluency Disorders | 2 |
| CDS 631 | Cultural-Linguistic Diversity for Clinicians : [Topic] | 3 |
| CDS 649 | Feeding and Swallowing Disorders | 4 |
| CDS 651 | School-Age Language Disorders | 4 |
| CDS 652 | Speech Sound Disorders | 4 |
| CDS 654 | Management of Adult Language Disorders | 4 |
| CDS 656 | Voice Science and Disorders | 3 |
| CDS 660 | Motor Speech Disorders | 3 |
| CDS 663 | Management of Acquired Cognitive Disorders | 4 |
| CDS 665 | Language Disorders in Children | 4 |
| EDUC 611 | Survey of Educational Research Methods 2 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 102 | |
- 1
All students complete a capstone project. For most students this consists of the Evidence-Based Practice Project (EBP project). Occasionally students interested in research may do a thesis or complete an alternative EBP project. The requirements for these alternatives are described in the EBP project handbook and thesis guide. Students completing a thesis will be required to complete 9 credits of CDS 503 Thesis, they will not take CDS 620.
- 2
Students who have taken an equivalent course prior to beginning the program may be exempt from this requirement. Students must have approval from program director before the start of the program.
In addition to the core master's degree requirements, ASHA certification requires coursework in statistics, biological sciences, physical sciences (chemistry or physics), behavioral/social sciences, and basic communication processes. See Prerequisite Checklist section under Supporting Documents on program application page for details (https://education.uoregon.edu/cds/apply/ms).
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.