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MASTER’S DEGREE
The Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) Program offers you an educational opportunity that is unique in the state of Georgia as you pursue your master's degree in speech-language pathology. The CSD Program is distinctive in its location, clinical population and commitment to excellence. Each year a cohort of 25-28 master's degree students enroll in the fall semester. This allows you to have individualized academic and clinical experiences to meet your unique needs and interests.
You will receive an intensive field-based education that prepares you to implement the best practices in the profession, to communicate effectively with your colleagues and clients, to work collaboratively with other professionals who serve individuals with communication disorders and their families, and to pursue opportunities for advanced degrees. Our faculty understands the breadth and depth of knowledge and experience you need to succeed in your career. We are committed to the pursuit of excellence in teaching and supervision to ensure you will meet or exceed the expectations of your future employer. This commitment has meant that graduates of the CSD Program are sought and valued by schools, hospitals, and rehabilitation programs throughout the state and region.
The CSD Program offers an extensive curriculum, both academically and clinically, that prepares you for the profession of speech-language pathology. In the classroom, you are engaged in learning through lectures, discussion, small group activities, hands-on experiences, readings, individual assignments, and group projects. Clinical practicum consists of three semesters of on-campus experience in the Georgia State Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic and two semesters of off-campus practicum. In the third semester of on-campus practicum, you also participate in a “mini-internship” at an off-campus facility one day of the week throughout the semester. During off-campus internships, you are placed one semester at a school and one semester in an adult medical setting. Internships are full-time Monday through Friday throughout the entire semester. See our course listing.
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE
The Communication Sciences and Disorders Program in the College of Education does not offer an undergraduate degree in CSD. If you are seeking the undergraduate degree, contact the Department of Communication in the College of Arts & Sciences at 404-413-5676 or http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwdcm/6036.html A major in Speech with a Concentration in Communication Across the Lifespan prepares undergraduates to pursue the graduate degree in speech-language pathology or audiology.
Ph.D. DEGREE
The doctoral degree is designed for individuals interested in research and teaching careers in higher education. The faculty now offers a doctoral concentration in Communication Disorders, through the Ph.D. in Education of Students with Exceptionalities. For additional information about this doctoral degree option, contact Dr. Julie Washington, email: jwashington@gsu.edu. For information about a doctoral degree in the Neurosciences, please contact Dr. Jacqueline Laures-Gore, email: jlaures@gsu.edu.
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) major in Communication Sciences and Disorders prepares you to work with individuals of all ages who have communication disorders. The following list shows you the course work areas that prepare you to pursue the master's degree. If you have not taken these courses, they will be added to your graduate program.
Upon enrollment in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program students must complete all required courses at Georgia State University. Requests for exceptions to this policy must have prior approval of the Communication Sciences and Disorders faculty.
Professional Studies (9)
The following professional studies courses should be taken early in the students' program.
Select one (3):
EPSF 7100 Critical Pedagogy (3)
EPSF 7110 Multicultural Education (3)
EPSF 7120 Social and Cultural Foundations of Education (3)
Select one (3):
EPRS 7900 Methods of Research in Education (3)
EPRS 7910 Action Research (3)
EPRS 7920 Classroom Testing, Grading, and Assessment (3)
Select one (3):
EPY 7080 The Psychology of Learning and Learners (3)
EPY 7090 The Psychology of Learning and Learners: The Young Child (3)
Teaching Field/Major (54)
Students must earn a grade of "B" or higher in all courses in the teaching field/major. If students earn a grade below "B" in a course, that course must be repeated. Students will be allowed to repeat a course one time. Students who fail to earn a grade of "B" or higher after taking the course a second time will be scholastically excluded from this major. If students earn a grade below "B" in a practicum experience or earns a grade below "B" in more than one course, the Communication Sciences and Disorders faculty will review the students' progress in the program to determine if the students will be allowed to continue the program of study.
Required (54):
CSD 7450 Language Disorders in Young Children (3)
CSD 7455 Language Disorders in School Age Children (3)
CSD 7510 Neuroscience for Communication (3)
CSD 7520 Speech Sound Disorders (3)
CSD 7530 Voice Science and Disorders (3)
CSD 7540 Fluency Disorders (3)
CSD 7550 Acquired Aphasia (3)
CSD 7560 Diagnostic Methods of Speech and Language Disorders (3)
CSD 7570 Advanced Audiological Assessment (3)
CSD 7590 Contemporary Issues in Communication Disorders (2)
CSD 7600 Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (3)
CSD 7610 Motor Speech Disorders (3)
CSD 7630 Fundamentals of Clinical Practice (2)
CSD 7840 Research in Communication Disorders (1)
CSD 7910 Clinical Practicum in Communication Disorders (7)
CSD 7950 Communication Disorders Medical Internship (6)
CSD 8330 Acquired Neurocognitive Communication Disorders (3)
Program total: minimum of 63 semester hours
PRACTICUM
Observation - All students must provide the Clinic Director with verification of 25 hours of observation. Practicum - You will participate in 3 semesters of on-campus practicum. By the end of the master's program you must accrue a minimum of 400 clock hours. Off-Campus Practicum - Off campus practicum assignments are made by the Clinic Director in consultation with the other faculty members. If you have not completed a practicum in a public school setting as part of your undergraduate training in Communication Sciences and Disorders you will enroll in EXC 7951. During this one semester practicum experience, you will be placed in a school setting on a full-time basis. All students complete a one-semester, full-time practicum in a medical setting. For this practicum you enroll in EXC 7950.