Communication Sciences and Disorders

Graduate Program

The master's degree (M.S.) program in speech-language pathology at Harding University 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, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

The Speech-Language Pathology program is part of the College of Allied Health and offers a Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology degree.  The curriculum is an intensive five-semester program with a focus on the entire scope of practice as delineated by ASHA.  It consists of both didactic and clinical components.

Upon completion of this program a student will be eligible to sit for the national certifying exam (PRAXIS II) administered by the Educational Testing Service.  Students will also be eligible to apply for membership in ASHA.

Admission Requirements

The minimal admission requirements (checklist pdf available) for the Master of Science program in speech-language pathology are as follows:

  • completed application form pdf
  • academic transcript indicating an earned bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • evidence of successful completion of academic coursework in normal language development, phonetics, anatomy and physiology of communication, speech science, and audiology
  • competitive GPA on undergraduate academic courses
  • competitive GRE score
  • three letters of recommendation along with Graduate School Readiness Scales pdf  (with accompanying releases pdf)
  • written statement of professional goals
  • $40 application fee

The deadline for applications is March 1 of the spring semester prior to fall enrollment.

Degree Requirements
  1.  
    • Completion of the M.S. degree in Speech-Language Pathology curriculum (totaling 59 semester hours) with a 3.0 cumulative grade point average, no academic class grade less than a “C” and no clinical class grade less than a “B” (see Academic Progression, and Academic Probation and Dismissal sections for additional details).
    • Completion of 400 clinical clock hours, which includes a maximum of 50 hours of undergraduate clinical experiences and 25 hours of observation with satisfactory ratings from all clinical supervisors.
    • Completion of the Knowledge and Skills Acquisition (KASA) form with each competency marked as acquired and certified by the program director.
    • A minimum grade of “C” on the thesis/capstone project.
    • Passing score on the comprehensive examination.
    • Satisfactory evidence of good interpersonal relations and ethical professional conduct.
  2. Curriculum  

    (This tentative plan is to be used with the assistance of your advisor.  For a detailed description of each class see the Courses and Syllabi section.)

     FALL- SEMESTER I (13 hours academic credit)

    CSD 611 - Birth to 5 (5 hrs)

    CSD 619 - Clinical I (3 hrs)

    CSD 637 - Writing/Speaking (1 hr)

    CSD 642 - Neurology (3 hrs)

    CSD 648 - Counseling (1 hr)

    SPRING - SEMESTER II (13 hrs academic credit)

    CSD 614 - Adult (5 hrs)

    CSD 623 - Adolescent (5 hrs)

    CSD 629 - Clinical II (3 hrs)

    SUMMER I - SEMESTER IIIa (6 hrs academic credit)

    CSD 632 - Multicultural (1 hr)

    CSD 639 - Clinic III (5 hrs)

    SUMMER II - SEMESTER IIIb (4 hrs academic credit)

    CSD 634 - Research Design (3 hrs)

    CSD 635 - Communication Modes (1 hr)

    FALL - SEMESTER IV (12 hrs academic credit)

    CSD 622 - School Age (5 hrs)

    CSD 643 - Dysphagia (2 hrs)

    CSD 646 - Fluency (2 hrs)

    CSD 649 - Clinical IV (3 hrs)

    SPRING - SEMESTER V (11 hrs academic cerdit)

    CSD 651 - Capstone (3 hrs)

    CSD 655 - Literacy (2 hrs)

    CSD 657 - Ethics (2 hrs)

    CSD 658 - Special Topics (1 hr)

    CSD 659 - Clinical V (3 hrs)

    Program Total = 59 academic hours

     

    Additional Information & Forms (links)

    Application pdf

    Application Checklist pdf

    Essential Skills pdf

    Graduate School Readiness Scale pdf and accompanying Release pdf

    Student Handbook pdf

    HIZ-PATH pdf

Communication Sciences and Disorders
501-279-4648
csd@harding.edu