The Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders provides students graduate-level coursework in speech-language pathology. Upon completion of this degree, students are eligible to pursue state licensure and national certification in speech-language pathology as well as the California Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential.

The MS pattern is used to complete requirements for the Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential. Information on current examination requirements can be found on the Praxis website.

Requirements for the MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Completion of all requirements as established by the program, graduate advisory committee, the Graduate Coordinator, and Graduate Studies, to include:

In order to participate in clinical practicum and internships, the following are required:

• professional liability insurance,
• tuberculosis test,
• CPR certification,
• a Certificate of Clearance, and
• up-to-date vaccinations.

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 56-59 units of 400/500/600-level courses as follows:
   1. At least 56 units in the discipline of Communication Sciences and Disorders. All Communication Sciences and Disorders (CMSD) graduate courses require admission to the CMSD master's program.
   2. At least three-quarters of the units required for the degree in 600-level courses.
   3. At the discretion of the academic program, a maximum of 30 percent of the units counted toward the degree requirements may be special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework. This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through Professional & Continuing Education. Correspondence courses and UC Extension coursework are not acceptable for transfer.
   4. Not more than 15 units taken before admission to classified status.
   5. Not more than a total of 10 units of Independent Study (697) and Master's Thesis (699T) or Master's Project (699P); not more than 6 units of Master's Thesis (699T) or Master's Project (699P).
   6. Completion of 400 clock hours of supervised clinical experience in the practice of speech-language pathology.
   7. A maximum of 18 units of credit/no credit may be applied to the degree.
2. Completion of one of the following plans:
   1. Comprehensive Plan: All required courses in addition to completion of a proctored seven-hour written comprehensive examination over two days. Failure of one or more questions will result in re-writing portions or all of the comprehensive examinations.
   2. Thesis Plan: All required courses in addition to completion of a thesis. This plan is encouraged for students who are planning to continue their educations to the doctoral level or who are interested in a career in speech and hearing sciences or research. A public presentation of the thesis will be conducted. Students completing a thesis enroll in three units of CMSD 699T.
3. Development and maintenance of a portfolio to demonstrate the following:
   1. competence in research, writing, and oral skills,
   2. clinical competence in speech-language pathology and in audiology screening, including completion of a minimum of 400 clock hours of supervised clinical experience in the practice of speech-language pathology.
4. Participation in annual Performance Reviews.
5. Deviation from the curriculum outlined above will only be considered upon advice and consent of the Graduate Coordinator.
6. Substitutions may be selected from outside the program by the student with the advice and consent of Graduate Coordinator.
7. Approval by the faculty, the Graduate Coordinator, and the Graduate Council on behalf of the faculty of the University.
8. In most cases, the MS pattern is used to complete requirements for the Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential. CBEST must be passed prior to completion of the master's degree.

¹

Must be taken twice.

²

Must be taken three times.

³

CMSD 689 must be taken for a total of eight units.

Graduate Grading Requirements

All courses in the major (with the exceptions of Independent Study - 697, Comprehensive Examination - 696, Master's Project - 699P, and Master's Thesis - 699T) must be taken for a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as ABC/No Credit (400/500-level courses), AB/No Credit (600-level courses), or Credit/No Credit grading only. While grading standards are determined by individual programs and instructors, it is also the policy of the University that unsatisfactory grades may be given when work fails to reflect achievement of the high standards, including high writing standards, expected of students pursuing graduate study.

Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average in each of the following three categories: all coursework taken at any accredited institution subsequent to admission to the master's program; all coursework taken at California State University, Chico subsequent to admission to the program; and all courses on the approved master's degree program.

Continuous enrollment is required. At the discretion of the academic program, a maximum of 30 percent of the units counted toward the degree requirements may be special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework. This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through Professional & Continuing Education.

Graduate Time Limit

All requirements for the degree are to be completed within five years of the end of the semester of enrollment in the oldest course applied toward the degree. See Master's Degree Requirements for complete details on general degree requirements.

Graduate Requirement in Writing Proficiency

All students must demonstrate competency in writing skills as a requirement for graduation. Communication Sciences and Disorders students will demonstrate their writing competence through successful completion of CMSD 682.

Prerequisites for Admission to Conditionally Classified Status

1. Satisfactory grade point average as specified in Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Admission Requirements.
2. Approval by the department and Graduate Studies.
3. An acceptable baccalaureate from an accredited institution, or an equivalent approved by Graduate Studies.

Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Successful completion of CMSD 488 or equivalent, as determined by the faculty.
2. Successful completion of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) required undergraduate courses:
   1. human-focused biological science course
   2. chemistry or physics course
   3. statistics course

Advancement to Candidacy

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Development of an approved program plan in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.
2. Classified graduate standing.
3. Completion of two semesters of full-time coursework and clinic with at least a 3.0 grade point average.