Communication Sciences and Disorders with Speech Language Pathology Services Credential, M.S.

The Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders program prepares students for clinical positions in healthcare and education. It meets all the knowledge and skills required by the American Speech Language Hearing Associations (ASHA) and was granted accreditation in 2013 by the Council of Academic Accreditations of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology Programs. Through skillful faculty leadership, mentoring and personalized instruction, students develop competency as speech-language pathologists prepared to assess and treat children and adults with mild to severe communication disorders and disabilities such as stuttering, hearing loss, deafness, cleft palate, articulation disorders, voice abnormalities, and neurologically-based speech, language and cognitive disorders from stroke, progressive neurological disease and traumatic brain injury.

Candidates learn to counsel spouses, families, siblings and educators on how to work with children and adults who use hearing aids, augmentative and alternative communication systems and other assistive technology to communicate.

The program is based on research, theory and field experience courses, 400 clinical clock hours of practicum, fieldwork and intern programs. Candidates provide assessment and treatment to persons with communication disorders from birth through adulthood during supervised on- and off-site clinical practicum. Candidates may be placed in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation agencies, private practice or schools for off-site practicum.

Graduates will be eligible for a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), a California Services credential in speech/language pathology and a California state license in speech language pathology.

Admission to the program and prerequisites

To be considered for admission, applicants must submit the following:

1. Application to the Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders program, using the national CSDCAS form.
2. Undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders or the post baccalaureate equivalent (leveling courses).
3. Official transcripts from the baccalaureate degree granting institution.
4. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores taken within the last five years.
5. Three letters of recommendation, including one from an academic source, which describe the applicant’s professional and academic abilities.
6. A personal essay that will be used to assess the applicant’s writing skills, career commitment and professional goals.
7. After initial screening of the application materials, selected prospective students will be invited for an in-person interview with faculty.

Transfer of coursework

With department chair approval. Due to the cohort model used, transfers are not encouraged.

Public School Credential Program

Chapman University has been approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to recommend its graduates for the Preliminary Speech Language Pathology Services Credential within Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences by the CSD department’s credential specialist. 

Title II Compliance

Chapman University, Crean College of Behavioral and Health Sciences complies with all federal government reporting requirements pursuant to Section 207 of the Higher Education Act passed by Congress in 1998. Please see our website www.chapman.edu/crean for complete information.

Practicum Assignment: Speech Language Pathology

Students in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders have five practicum courses. Typically, students have 1 or more practicum assignments per trimester that starts after the first trimester in which they have completed content courses or are taking them simultaneously. The sequence of courses is designed to logically follow the acquisition of new areas of knowledge and gradually increase in the responsibilities that reflect what speech-language pathologists do in school and healthcare settings.

1. The Clinical Coordinator makes all of the assignments and meets individually with each student to explain the field-work assignment, commitment and hours.
2. Students are assigned to 3 or 4 days per week - four to six hours per day.
3. CSD 620 , CSD 630 , CSD 640  are all specifically focused on school and/or child practicum skills.
4. CSD 650  is specifically focused on older children, hospital-based and/or clinic-based practicum skills.
5. CSD 660  is focused on school-based, hospital-based and/or clinic-based practicum skills at the end of year 2.
6. A specific number of hours is required for each placement as follows:
   1. CSD 620  - 45 hours
   2. CSD 630  - 45 hours
   3. CSD 640  - 105 hours
   4. CSD 650  - 105 hours
   5. CSD 660  - 105 hours
7. All students are supervised by an on-site SLP; practicum instructors teach clinical concepts, instruction approaches, and monitor student progress.
8. All supervisors must hold a CA SLP Services Credential, CCC and/or a CA state license in speech language pathology.

Student appeal process

Each student has the right of academic appeal. Appeal should first be made to the department chair of the Communication Sciences and Disorders credential program. Further appeal may be made to the dean of the Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences and then to the director of program assessment improvement committee. There is no appeal beyond the Office of the Provost.

Requirements for the Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Students pursuing the Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders are held to the University’s Academic Policies and Procedures  including maintaining a 3.000 GPA in the degree. In addition these specific degree standards apply:

Demonstration of mastery

Mastery is determined by:

• Passing grades of “B” or higher in all academic courses. Students receiving less than a ‘B’ are required to complete a remediation plan put forth by the instructor and agreed upon with the student.
• Completion of a minimum of 400 clinical clock hours of supervised practicum across the lifespan.
• Completion of capstone course which includes comprehensive exams, and a capstone project or thesis.

The following courses make up the M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders curriculum: