What does it cost?

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

How long will it take?

Minimum of 63 semester hours with communication sciences and disorders bachelor’s degree
Minimum of 90 semester hours without communication sciences and disorders bachelor’s degree

63 semester hours = Six semesters or two years; 90 semester hours = Nine semesters or three years

Where will I take classes?
Atlanta Campus

Application Deadlines

Fall: December 1 (firm deadline – all requirements must be met by this date)
Spring: Does Not Admit
Summer: Does Not Admit

View Admissions Requirements

College of Education & Human Development

Communication Sciences and Disorders, M.S.

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 404-413-8044

The Georgia State University communication sciences and disorders program offers a unique educational opportunity for students to become highly qualified speech-language pathologists.

Our downtown Atlanta location gives students excellent clinical experiences across the city. Our faculty’s commitment to students’ success provides an exceptional learning environment. Cohorts of 30-32 students begin each fall semester, and students receive individual attention and work together throughout the year.

The program’s intensive field-based education prepares students to:

Implement best practices in the profession
Communicate effectively with colleagues and clients
Work collaboratively with other professionals who serve individuals with communication disorders and their families
Pursue opportunities for advanced degrees

The Master of Science education program in speech-language pathology at Georgia State is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

Education programs leading to professional licensure or certification (nursing, education, social work, counseling, accounting, allied health professions, etc.) may require additional approval from separate licensing boards, depending on the state. Students who live or plan to live outside Georgia and are considering a professional program should contact the appropriate board in their state of residency prior to beginning a course of study. To help students find the best-known contact information for the appropriate state licensing board and for a list of Georgia State program contacts, visit the Student Consumer Information website.

Program Highlights

Classroom Experience

Graduates of the communication sciences and disorders program can start careers in private practices, schools, hospitals and rehabilitation centers throughout the state and nationally. In the classroom, students are engaged in learning through lectures, discussion, small group activities, hands-on experiences, readings, individual assignments and group projects.

Field Experience

Clinical practicum consists of three semesters of on-campus experience in the Georgia State Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic and two semesters of an off-campus practicum. In the third semester of the on-campus practicum, you participate in a “specialty internship” at an off-campus facility one day a week throughout the semester. During off-campus internships, you are placed at a school and an adult medical setting for one semester, respectively; these internships are full-time, Monday through Friday during the semester.

CSD students pose on a ball field

Many of our students are also members of CommunicAID+Nation, a nonprofit organization that raises money and awareness for people with communication disorders. The group recently held its first kickball tournament fundraiser featuring teams made up of graduate students, faculty and staff. The tournament raised $210 for

Career Outcomes

Communication sciences and disorders graduates work in a variety of settings, including public schools, private schools, private practices, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals.

In 2024, U.S. News ranks Speech-Language-Pathologist as the #10 job out of 100 and #3 in Best Health Care Jobs.

Learn more about careers in Speech-Language Pathology at the Occupational Outlook Handbook through the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Teacher and aides in classroom with young children

Program Details

Admission Requirements

When applying to the Communication Sciences and Disorders, M.S. (Speech-Language Pathology) program, you will need to submit several documents for review in two application systems.

CSDCAS Application Instructions:

Create an account with CSDCAS.
Complete & submit the CSDCAS Application; pay application fee.
- Goals Statement (upload with the application) All applicants must submit a goal statement as part of their application. The statement should adhere to the guidelines and must address the 3 questions listed below.
  1. Guidelines: One page in length; 12-point font; one-inch margins on each side; single-spaced.
    Respond to all 3 of the questions. Your response to each question should be one paragraph in length.
    1. What led you to pursue the profession of speech-language pathology?
    2. What makes you a unique candidate for our program?
    3. What impact will GSU have on your education and future career?
- Resume (upload with the application).
- Three Letters of Recommendation (identify your recommenders on the application).
- Official Transcript(s): minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA.
  - Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended by mailing directly to CSDCAS Verification Department | P.O. Box 9113 Watertown, MA 02471.

Georgia State Application Instructions:

Create a profile for the Graduate Application.
Complete & submit the Graduate Application; pay the $50 application fee.
- Complete ALL components of the Graduate Application EXCEPT the following sections: the writing sample, the art portfolio and letters of recommendation.
- Goals Statement (upload with the application). All applicants must submit a goal statement as part of their application. The statement should adhere to the guidelines and must address the 3 questions listed below.
  - Guidelines: One page in length; 12-point font; one-inch margins on each side; single-spaced. Respond to all 3 of the questions. Your response to each question should be one paragraph in length.
    - What led you to pursue the profession of speech-language pathology?
    - What makes you a unique candidate for our program?
    - What impact will GSU have on your education and future career?
- Resume (upload with the application).
- Official Transcript(s): minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA.
  - Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended either electronically to [email protected] or by mailing directly to Georgia State University | Office of Graduate Admissions | P.O. Box 4018 Atlanta, GA 30302

Please Note:

The CSD program is a two-tiered application process. One application should be submitted in CSDCAS and one Georgia State Graduate Application with the required materials here for admission.

Required Coursework:

9 hours of clinical practice
12 hours of internship
39 hours of coursework
3 hour elective
** additional prerequisite courses required for students admitted without an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders

For complete degree requirements, visit the catalog.

Funding Your Graduate Education

Cost of attendance and funding opportunities are integral to your decision to attend graduate school. Georgia State University is proud to offer a variety of funding opportunities, such as assistantships and fellowships.

Awards and Assistantships

Various awards, assistantships and fellowships are available to new and current graduate students. We encourage you to contact your department, college, school or institute of interest to get more information about the assistantships and fellowships that they offer their students.

The Scholarship Resource Center offers guidance and support to students seeking financial assistance through scholarship opportunities, including this scholarship library.

Fellowships

The Office of Graduate Programs’ Fellowship Advisor works with students interested in applying for nationally prestigious and competitive fellowships. The Office of Graduate Programs also coordinates the application process for students applying to the Second Century Initiative, the Provost’s Dissertation Fellowship and the Dissertation Library Travel Awards.

Cost Calculator

Our calculator can help you get an idea of the costs associated with attending the university.

Program Accreditation

The master’s program in speech-language pathology is accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.