Professors: Fire, Madden (Chair and Graduate Director), Pawlowska, Rami, Seddoh and Swisher

Department Description

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology, and the Doctor of Philosophy in Communication Sciences and Disorders. The master’s degree program has been accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. A graduate degree is required for students planning a career in speech-language pathology and audiology. It is anticipated that graduates with a master’s degree will meet the academic and practicum requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence of the Boards of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

Program Description

The Master of Science degree with thesis or without thesis is available with a major emphasis in Speech-Language Pathology and with supporting work in Audiology.

Admission Requirements

1. Graduate Record Examination—General Test.
2. Overall undergraduate GPA of at least 2.85 and a 3.00 in the courses required for an undergraduate major in Communication Sciences Disorders.
3. Admittance to approved status typically requires an undergraduate major in Communication Sciences Disorders.
4. Those admitted to Qualified Status must have at least 12 semester credits of undergraduate work in the field, but will be required to complete the coursework for the undergraduate major.
5. Criteria used in admission decisions:
1. Scores on the Graduate Record Examination General test,
2. All grade point averages from previous undergraduate, post-baccalaureate and graduate studies,
3. The extent and quality of previous clinical, research, and service activities,
4. Quality of speaking, writing, and interpersonal skills.
6. Admissions applications should include documentation of their qualifications relative to the criteria above.
7. Admissions for summer and fall enrollment and the award of financial aid will be based on applications completed by February 15.

Degree Requirements

1. The typical program of study includes the following courses: 525, 531, 532, 533, 536, 538, 542, 552, 553, 562, 572, 583, and 584.
2. CTL 515 Statistics I or an approved equivalent is required
3. Thesis students will register for 998 (Thesis) and non-thesis students will register for 584 (10 or more weeks of external practicum) and 997 (Independent Study).
4. Students wishing to qualify for employment in a school setting must complete requirements for a teaching credential as a graduate student. This will include CSD 400, Methods and Materials for Speech Clinicians, and CSD 585, Practicum in the School Setting. Students must also take the Praxis I Teacher Certification Examination.
5. Graduate students already having a teaching credential with some other major must take CSD 400 and practicum in a school before being recommended for employment in a school.

Doctor of Philosophy Communication Sciences and Disorders

Program Description

This program of study provides a background of study in normal and disordered speech, language and hearing. This program prepares the student for employment in a variety of settings including university teaching and research, clinical services and research, and/or research and consultation in industry.

Admission Requirements

1. A master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders, speech-language pathology, audiology, speech and hearing science, or a related field.
2. Graduate Record Examination-General Test.
3. An overall grade point average of 3.0, on a 4.0 scale, in graduate coursework in speech-language pathology, audiology, or a related area.
4. Criteria used in admission decisions will include:
   1. Scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test
   2. All grade point averages from previous undergraduate, post-baccalaureate and graduate studies,
   3. The extent and quality of previous clinical, research, and service activities; and
   4. Quality of speaking, writing and interpersonal skills.
5. Admissions applications should include documentation of the applicant’s qualifications relative to the criteria above.

Degree Requirements

1. Student will enter holding a Master’s degree in Speech Pathology, Audiology, or Speech and Hearing Science. Students without this degree or equivalent coursework will be required to complete a core curriculum of the following eight courses currently offered at the Master’s level: CSD 531, 532, 533, 536, 538, 542, 552, and 562.
2. Scholarly Tools for the Ph.D. — 12 credits required from the following: Psych 541, Psych 543, EFR 518, and CSD 592.
3. Seminar Courses within the department of Communication Sciences and Disorders — 12 credits required.
4. Cognate — 9 credits providing broad support.
5. Special Problems in Communication Disorders — CSD 597; 9 credits.
6. Research Projects — CSD 595; 8 credits. Students enroll in this course every semester. Research activity will begin in year one and continue through completion of the dissertation.
7. Dissertation — CSD 999; 10 credits. The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Speech and Hearing Science is a research degree and is conferred only in recognition of high achievement in independent scientific research and scholarship. This research is expected to make a significant contribution to the student’s chosen area of study.

Courses

501. Seminar in Speech-Language Pathology. 1 to 3 credits. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. May be repeated as topics change.

501.01 A study of the application of current and emerging data in the area of clinical assessment and management of speech disorders in children and adults with communication impairments.

501.02 A study of the application of current and emerging data in the area of clinical assessment and management of language disorders in children and adults with communication impairments.

501.03 A study of the application of current and emerging data in the area of clinical assessment and management of disorders of hearing in children and adults with communication impairments.

525. Introduction to Research in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. 3 credits. Research methods in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Steps in research before data analysis is undertaken. Culminates in a research proposal.

531. Clinical Audiology I. 3 credits. Prerequisites: CSD 431 or consent of instructor. Advanced audiological concepts and techniques including speech audiometry, masking, bone conduction, advanced pure tone testing, pediatric hearing evaluation, and the psychoacoustical bases of audiometric assessment.

532. Neurogenic Communication Disorders I. 4 credits. Prerequisites: CSD 422 and 231. Study of the representation or organization of language in the human brain as determined by multidisciplinary techniques such as neuroimaging, electrical stimulation mapping, etc. Includes aphasia and communication disturbance in adults following traumatic injury to the brain, and also clinical management.

533. Investigations in Child Language. 3 credits. Prerequisites: CSD 343. Student formulation of questions and concerns about normal and disordered child language which are studied through a search of pertinent literature and through observation and analysis of children’s linguistic production.

536. Stuttering Intervention. 3 credits. A study of the theoretical bases for and the clinical management of stuttering in children and adults.

537. Advanced Clinical Management. 2 credits. Prerequisite: completion of undergraduate major sequence in CSD or consent of instructor. Integrated study of the process involved in total clinical case management including the development of communication and observation competence, clinical literacy, creative problem solving, decision making, supervisory and consultation skills.

538. Management of Phonatory Disorders. 3 credits. A study of the diagnosis and management of functional and organic voice disorders in children and adults.

542. Neurogenic Communication Disorders II. 2 credits. Prerequisite: CSD 422. Assessment and intervention strategies for children with traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, fetal alcohol syndrome and developmental apraxia.

552. Neurogenic Communication Disorders III. 2 credits. Prerequisite: CSD 532. Assessment and intervention strategies for adults with traumatic brain injury, dysarthria, and apraxia.

553. Swallowing Disorders. 2 credits. Prerequisites: CSD 422, 542, or equivalents. The study of normal and abnormal swallowing, and the purposes and guidelines for assessment of swallowing disorders.

562. Augmentative/Alternative Communication. 2 credits. Prerequisites: CSD 422 and CSD 542. A study of the evaluation and application of manual and electronic communication aids for the severely handicapped.

572. Neurogenic Communication Disorders IV. 3 credits. Prerequisites: CSD 422 and CSD 532. A study of cognitive and communication deficits that accompany right hemisphere damage, as well as traumatic brain injury, their diagnosis and management.

580. Interprofessional Health Care. 1 credit. The purpose of the course is to learn to work effectively in an interdisciplinary health care team, using a shared, patient-centered approach. Students work with other team members from physical therapy, nursing, occupational therapy, medicine, social work, clinical lab science, and dietetics. Case studies using problem-based learning techniques are the primary teaching strategy. S/U grading.

583. Evaluation and Service Delivery. 3 credits. The study of: 1) the underlying principles and philosophies of evaluation in speech-language pathology, including interviewing, administering and interpreting diagnostic tests and protocols, and client counseling; and 2) the concepts and principles of service delivery including creative problem solving, decision making, collaboration, and management of services.

584. Advanced Clinical Practicum. 1 to 16 credits. Prerequisites: CSD 485 and consent of instructor, provision of clinical services to individuals with communication disorders under the supervision of an ASHA certified supervisor. Placement will be the UND Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic or a departmentally-approved external site.

585. Practicum in the School Setting. 10 credits. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and consent of the department. Supervised practicum in a University-approved cooperating school.
586. Advanced Clinical Practicum: Audiology. 1 to 16 credits. The administration and interpretation of tests and procedures for evaluation of human auditory functioning; practice involving interviews, case histories and client counseling.

592. Research Design in Speech and Hearing Sciences. 3 credits. Prerequisites: Psych 541, Psych 543. The use of speech science instrumentation and data collection and analysis in human speech, language and hearing.

595. Research Problems in Speech-Language Pathology-Audiology. 1 to 3 credits. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. A. Speech-Language Pathology, B. Audiology.

597. Special Problems in Communication Disorders. 1 to 3 credits. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor. An examination of special topics in communication disorders.

997. Independent Study. 2 credits.

998. Thesis. 4 credits.

999. Dissertation. 10 credits.

343. Language Development. 3 credits.

431. Introduction to Audiology. 3 credits.

434. Aural Rehabilitation. 3 credits.

497. Special Problems in Communication Disorders. 1 to 3 credits.