Communication Disorders, Specialization in Speech-Language Pathology, M.S.

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The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers the Master of Science Degree with a concentration in Speech-Language Pathology. The Master’s Program is a two-year program, consisting of 4 academic semesters of on-campus study (including one summer semester). The fifth semester is devoted to a full-time, off-campus externship. Students will be enrolled in practica experiences every semester. The practica will take place at the on-campus speech and hearing clinic as well as at various sites throughout Northwest Ohio.

Information regarding Licensure / Endorsement / Accreditation: The Master of Science program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and meets the academic requirements of the Association’s Certificate of Clinical Competence as well as the requirements of licensure from the State of Ohio. Students may optionally pursue additional licensure required to work in Ohio public schools.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, students in the Communication Sciences & Disorders program are expected to be able to:

Integrate information pertaining to normal and abnormal human development across the life span for basic human communication and swallowing processes, including their biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural bases.
Evaluate communication and swallowing disorders and differences, including the appropriate etiologies, characteristics, and anatomical/physiological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates.
Demonstrate the principles and methods of prevention, assessment, and intervention for persons with communication and swallowing disorders, including consideration of anatomical/physiological, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates of the disorders.
Demonstrate ethical conduct.
Integrate research principles into evidence-based clinical practice.
Summarize contemporary professional issues.
Demonstrate knowledge of entry level and advanced certifications, licensure, and other relevant professional credentials, as well as local, state, and national regulations and policies relevant to professional practice.
Demonstrate skills in oral and written or other forms of communication sufficient for entry into professional practice.
Perform clinical treatment and assessment across the nine disorder areas: speech sound production; fluency; voice; language; hearing; swallowing; cognition; social aspects and AAC.

Admission Requirements

Effective beginning Fall 2025

The deadline is December 15^th for Fall semester. Since application reviews may begin immediately after the deadline, we recommend submitting your application and providing all required documents before the deadline.

This program requires use of the Centralized Application Service for application review. To submit an application, visit the CSDCAS website. All official credentials (transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal letter of application, etc.) must be submitted through CSDCAS. Do not send or upload any official credentials or other application materials to BGSU with the exception of transcripts as noted below.

Scanned copies of official transcripts from all institutions attended should be uploaded into this application. Upon admission, final official transcripts from each degree granting institution must be submitted to BGSU.

Application Requirements

Admissions Categories and Grade Point Average Requirements

International Application Information

Degree Requirements

Curriculum Requirements

Required Courses

CDIS 6010 - Speech Science
CDIS 6040 - Counseling in Communication Disorders
CDIS 6110 - Motor Speech Disorders
CDIS 6170 - Clinical Issues I
CDIS 6180 - Clinical Issues II
CDIS 6190 - Clinical Issues III
CDIS 6200 - Clinical Issues IV
CDIS 6210 - Voice Disorders
CDIS 6320 - Cognitive Rehabilitation
CDIS 6310 - Aphasia and Related Neuropathologies
CDIS 6410 - Stuttering
CDIS 6530 - Dysphagia
CDIS 6610 - Pediatric Language Disorders
CDIS 6630 - Issues in Phonological Intervention
CDIS 6710 - Language Disorders in the School-Age Population
CDIS 6760 - Research Methods in Communication Disorders
Internship (6 credits)
CDIS 6890 - Internship
Practicum: Take once each of the first 4 semesters with a minimum of 1 credit per semester. (4 credits)
CDIS 6970 - Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology

Electives (4-5 credits)

Topics courses must be at least 2 credits and be taken for a letter grade. Courses from other departments may be used but must be pre-approved by the graduate coordinator and department chair.

Other Requirements

PRAXIS Exam - student must take the National Examination in Speech-Language Pathology and report the score to the department. NOTE: A passing score is not required.
Calipso - Student must meet all of the standards in the Calipso Student Record Form.
Client Contact Hours - Student must achieve a minimum of 400 client contact hours. This includes a minimum of 25 observation hours and 375 client contact hours. At least 325 hours must be at the graduate level.
Clinical Requirements - Complete 3 semesters of on-campus clinic.
Clinical Requirements - Complete part time off-campus clinical placement.
Clinical Requirements - Complete full time off-campus clinical placement.

School Licensure (Optional). Along with completing all departmental requirements, student seeking school licensure must also complete the following requirements:

Student must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Complete the following undergraduate course work. Select from:
- CDIS 1230 CDIS 2240 CDIS 2250 CDIS 3010 CDIS 3020 CDIS 3110 CDIS 3510 CDIS 3610 CDIS 4010
Complete one of the following courses (or approived equivalent) (EDFI 3020 and EDIS 2310 are accepted only if completed as an undergraduate student. Select from:
- EDFI 3020 EDIS 2310 EDFI 6230 EDFI 6710 EDFI 6730
Complete one of the following courses or approved equivalent. EDAS 4090 is accepted only as an undergraduate student. Select from:
- EDL 4090 EDL 6210
Complete CDIS 6790
Complete a school-based internship (either half or full time)

Culiminating Experience (4-5 credits)

Plan I:

CDIS 6990 - Thesis Research (minimum 3 credits)
Topics Course (minimum 2 credits) Select from:
- CDIS 6790 CDIS 6800 CDIS 6820 CDIS 6850 CDIS 6860 CDIS 6910 CDIS 6920 CDIS 6940 CDIS 6950 or other courses pre-approved by graduate coordinator and department chair

Plan II:

Topics Courses (minimum 2 courses, 4 credits). Select from:
- CDIS 6790 CDIS 6800 CDIS 6820 CDIS 6850 CDIS 6860 CDIS 6910 CDIS 6920 CDIS 6940 CDIS 6950 or other courses pre-approved by graduate coordinator and department chair

Minimum Total Credits (51-52 credits)

Plan I requires 52 credits. Plan II requires 51 credits.

Additional Requirements

Minimum of 3 credits of 6990 required for Plan I master’s students. Maximum of 6 credits may be applied toward degree requirements.
Minimum 3.0 graduate cumulative grade point average
Minimum of 18 credits must be at the 6000-level or higher
Minimum of 24 credits must be earned at BGSU
All requirements must be completed within six years from the end of the earliest course used to fulfill degree requirements.