Course List (21 courses, 63 units)
The online Master of Science in Communicative Disorders program is a 3 year, 10 semester program. The curriculum consists of 36 units of coursework plus the culminating experience (comprehensive examination). In addition, students need to complete 27 additional units of coursework and clinical practicum experiences to meet the requirements for ASHA certification, state licensure and credentialing. The 36 units of program degree courses plus the comprehensive examination for the distance education students are identical to the program degree requirements for students in the on-campus program.
The following courses comprise the 36 unit formal master's degree program plus the culminating experience:
- CD 501: Interviewing and Counseling in Communicative Disorders
- CD 502: Research in Communication Disorders
- CD 552: Language Disorders II
- CD 558: Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology of Speech, Language and Hearing
- CD 651: Advanced Study of Articulation and Phonological Disorders in Children
- CD 659: Neurogenic Disorders of Cognition and Language
- CD 660: Structural and Neurogenic Speech Disorders
- CD 661: Voice and Disorders of Voice
- CD 662: Seminar in Developmental Language Disorders
- CD 663: Adult and Pediatric Swallowing/Feeding Disorders
- CD 668: Advanced Diagnostics in Speech and Language Pathology
- CD 674: Pediatric Audiology
- CD 697: Directed Comprehensive Studies
The remaining coursework fulfills the requirements for ASHA certification, state licensure and credentialing.
- CD 469O: Observation in Communication Disorders
- CD 485: Computer Applications in Communication Disorders
- CD 500: Leveling in Communication Disorders and Sciences
- CD 565: Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology I
- CD 566: Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology II
- CD 567: Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology III
- CD 672A & CD 672C: Advanced Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology I & II
Course Highlights
The following courses have been carefully crafted and purposefully sequenced to form a uniquely integrated program of study. Courses are listed in the order in which they are presented. Later courses build on earlier ones to provide a powerful, cumulative learning experience.
| Course | Name | Units | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| CD 500 | Leveling in Communication | 3 units | Tailored instruction for students who have not yet achieved the minimal competency requirements for entry into graduate studies. Students are assessed across seven strands of knowledge and skills competencies; for those strands in which minimal competency skills are not met, instruction/skill remediation modules are designed in order to advance the student's foundations of knowledge and skills |
| CD 485 | Computer Applications in Communication Disorders | 3 units | Study of basic computer concepts and applications of microcomputers in the fields of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, including diagnostic and rehabilitative procedures, statistical and research applications, recordkeeping, and word processing. Review of contemporary microcomputer hardware and software. Regular written assignments will be required. |
| CD 552 | Language Disorders II | 3 units | Prerequisite: CDS 462 or equivalent and graduate standing. Survey of current definitions and causes of language disorder; disorders of parts of language and trade-off effects. Identification of relevant features of disordered language for assessment and intervention. Analysis of relevant features of disordered language through advanced data collection, transcription and language analysis of intonation, morphosyntactic form, communicative function, repair phenomena and discourse level sequences. |
| CD 469O | Observation in Communication Disorders | 3 units | Observation of the evaluation and management of speech, language and hearing disorders. 25 hours of pre-therapy observation. Instruction in case management fundamentals. |
| CD 502 | Research in Communication Disorders | 3 units | Study of research methods and instrumentation in the field of communication disorders, including literature search techniques, research design, statistical tests, laboratory instrumentation and calibration, and report preparation. Online library research methods will be utilized. |
| CD 565 | Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology I | 2 units | Supervised clinical experience in the diagnosis of and therapy for speech handicapped children. The work is performed at a clinical site with field supervision and university support. |
| CD 558 | Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology of Speech, Language and Hearing | 3 units | This course is concerned with the structural components and organization of the central and peripheral nervous systems and their conduction pathways and functions, with specific emphasis on those structures that subserve normal speech, language and hearing processes. Regular writing assignments will be required. |
| CD 659 | Neurogenic Disorders of Cognition and Language | 3 units | This course includes advanced study of the neurological bases for language and cognitive deficits, as well as theoretical views of the organization of these components. Primary focus is given to the diagnosis and treatment of common communication problems in adults with aphasia, traumatic brain injury and other acquired language and cognitive disorders. In addition, these language and cognitive impairments will be contrasted with communication changes associated with normal aging. |
| CD 651 | Advanced Study of Articulation and Phonological Disorders | 3 units | Advanced study of speech acquisition, differential diagnosis of pediatric speech disorders, and principles of intervention. |
| CD 661 | Voice and Voice Disorders | 3 units | Study of theoretical, diagnostic and treatment issues in functional/organic/neurogenic/and psychogenic voice disorders. In addition, diagnostic and treatment options for laryngeal, head and neck cancer are presented. Multicultural implications for assessment and treatment are discussed. Regular written assignments are required, as well as proficiency with instrumentation for options within assessment and treatment. |
| CD 566 | Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology II | 2 units | This is the second pediatric clinic. This work is performed at a clinical site with field supervision and university support. |
| CD 663 | Adult and Pediatric Swallowing/Feeding Disorders | 3 units | This course focuses on the theoretical and clinical aspects of the disorders of swallowing or dysphagia. The physiology of normal swallow is studied as it develops across the lifespan. The etiologies of dysphagia in both the pediatric and adult populations are examined, as well as clinical and instrumental assessment of normal swallowing and dysphagia. Finally, the diagnosis and management of disorders of swallowing in the pediatric and adult populations are investigated. |
| CD 668 | Advanced Diagnostics in Speech and Language Pathology | 3 units | Advanced diagnosis and evaluation of children and adults with complex disorders of speech and/or language and/or cognition. Clinical experience in taking a history, constructing a test battery, administering norm-referenced tests, performing informal assessment procedures, interpreting formal and informal results, making a differential diagnosis, writing reports and conducting feedback sessions with clients, parents and/or caregivers. |
| CD 567 | Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology III | 2 units | This is the third pediatric clinic. This work is performed at a clinical site with field supervision and university support. |
| CD 501 | Interviewing and Counseling in Communicative Disorders | 3 units | Advanced study of interviewing and counseling strategies and techniques associated with diagnostic and therapeutic practice in speech-language pathology and audiology. Professional responsibilities for ethical practices. |
| CD 662 | Seminar in Developmental Language and Disorders | 3 units | Advanced study of research relating to the differential diagnosis of populations with associated developmental language disorders, including specific language impairment, language/learning disabilities, central auditory processing disorders, pervasive developmental disorders, psychiatric disorders, mental retardation and other populations with associated developmental disorder. |
| CD 672A & C | Advanced Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology I and II | 9 units | Supervised clinical experience in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures with speech and hearing handicapped children and adults in hospitals and community health service centers. Staff conferences with medical and allied health personnel in relation to speech and language pathologies. For Credit/No Credit Only. |
| CD 660 | Structural and Neurogenic Speech Disorders | 3 units | This course focuses on the advanced study of structural and neurogenic speech disorders, including models of motor control of speech production, neurological representation of speech and the effects of structural or neurological damage on speech production. Students will identify specific speech deficits characterizing dysarthria, apraxia of speech, craniofacial anomalies and surgical or traumatic alterations in normal speech structure and function. Physical and clinical assessment and management of these cases will be emphasized. |
| CD 674 | Pediatric Audiology | 3 units | Advanced study of the causation, assessment and management of auditory disorders in infants and children. |
| CD 697 | Directed Comprehensive Studies | 3 units | Prerequisite: Completion of all courses required in the program. |
