Mar 19, 2024  
University Catalog 2017-2018 
    
University Catalog 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Communicative Disorders, M.A.


The Department of Communication Disorders offers the Master of Arts degree in Communicative Disorders with an emphasis  in  Speech-Language Pathology. The requirements of the MA degree were designed to also meet the requirements of the Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential issued by the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, licensure in Speech-Language Pathology issued by the State of California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Licensing Board, and the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) issued by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

The Master of Arts degree in Communicative Disorders with an emphasis in Speech-Language Pathology  prepares students to work in various professional settings including clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, private practice, and public and private schools.

Admission to the Program

In addition to University and College requirements for admission to graduate study, applicants must satisfy specific department requirements before being considered for admission to  the  MA in Communicative Disorders with an emphasis in Speech-Language Pathology Program:

  • Completion of a baccalaureate degree in communicative disorders or equivalent;
  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 semester r units and in all  courses in Communicative Disorders;
  • Recent GRE General Test scores in all three subtests (Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing) ;
  • Completion of departmental application form;
  • Letter of professional goals and intent, and
  • Three letters of recommendation.
  • An interview may also be required.

Additionally, the following courses (or their equivalents) are considered prerequisites for the M.A. program, even for students who have a baccalaureate degree in Communicative Disorders:


Requirements for the Degree (minimum 60 units)


ASHA accreditation mandates completion of one course each in the following areas: biological sciences, physical sciences, statistics, and social/behavioral sciences.  If these courses have not been completed prior to admission, they will be required as part of the MA degree.

Required Practicum (15 units)


Students must receive a B or better in COMD 5810 before being allowed to take COMD 5820 or 5830.

In order to graduate, students are required to have completed 400 hours of supervised clinical practicum. If these hours have not been successfully completed after meeting the requirements below, additional registration for clinical practicum coursework may be necessary.

Comprehensive Examination or Thesis (0, 6 units)


In conference with an adviser, students must elect to complete either the comprehensive examination or a thesis. If the thesis option is chosen, the student will not be required to take COMD 5610 or 5630.

A. COMD 5960 Comprehensive Examination (0)   
     Students should expect to take the comprehensive examination the quarter after they complete all course work in their program and must comply
     with college and departmental requirements.

B. Thesis (6 units)

     Students must have adviser approval, be advanced to candidacy, and be enrolled in COMD 5990 during the semesters the thesis is in progress.
     COMD 5990 units may be substituted for COMD 5610 and COMD 5630 from the required course list.

* These courses are waived if the thesis option is undertaken.