Communication Disorders and Sciences

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The Communication Disorders and Sciences (CDS) program offers graduate work leading to the Master of Science degree. The program is designed to develop competence in the assessment and treatment of persons with communication disorders.

The degree requires 63-71 credit hours of study, depending on the students' course of study. Students have the option of a comprehensive exam or a thesis. Coursework is planned to meet the academic and professional requirements for state and national certification, which are required for professional employment. These requirements comprise the minimum course work. At least 50% of the courses earned toward the degree must be at the 500-level. The M.S. in Communication Disorders and Sciences degree program will culminate in eligibility for the Certificate of Clinical Competence of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and state licensure. ASHA certification is required for work in agencies, hospitals, medical centers, and higher education. Students may take additional course work to qualify them for the program. The School of Health Sciences maintains active research facilities which provide laboratories and specialized equipment for the study of both the normal and impaired functions of the speech, language, and hearing processes. Students may be required to purchase and develop an account within a clinical management system for clinical placements.

Communication Disorders and Sciences is a competitive admissions program.

Competitive Admission Process – Communication Disorders and Sciences Graduate Program: SIUC Undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher at the end of Fall Semester prior to graduation, offered admission.

Standard admission criteria:

  1. GPA last 45-60 credit hours of 2.7 as indicated by the SIUC Graduate School - requests for exception to the 2.7 GPA may be possible if admissions committee identifies additional strengths such as trending positive GPA, strong GPA in communication disorders and sciences courses, or other than academic experiences that strengthen a packet.
  2. GRE is not required, but is optional, for students applying to the CDS program.
  3. Students write a personal statement that is reviewed by the admissions committee members.
  4. Students complete a resume portion of the online application through communication sciences and disorders application system (CSDCAS).
  5. Students supply a minimum of three reference letters through CSDCAS.

Master of Science (M.S.) in Communication Disorders and Sciences

The M.S. in Communication Disorders and Sciences degree is a six semester course of study of approximately 63 to 71 credit hours. Specific course requirements and total number of hours are generally determined by advisement after consultation with the graduate student. The M.S. in Communication Disorders and Sciences degree also requires that each student either successfully pass a comprehensive examination or successfully complete an approved thesis. Students must select one of the following plans:

Thesis Option

Required Core Courses (29 CH)

  • Speech (12 CH)
    • CDS 505: Phonological Development & Disorders (3 CH)
    • CDS 510: Stuttering: Behavior Assessment and Therapy (3 CH)
    • CDS 512: Voice Disorders (3 CH)
    • CDS 541: Neurogenic Disorders of Communication II (3 CH)
  • Language (9 CH)
    • CDS 507: Language Disorders (3 CH)
    • CDS 517: Seminar: Language Disorders Birth to Three (3 CH)
    • CDS 540: Neurogenic Disorders of Communication I (3 CH)
  • Speech or Language (6 CH)
    • CDS 485: Special Topics (Counseling) (3 CH)
    • CDS 485: Special Topics (Medical Speech) (3 CH)
  • Speech, Language or Hearing (2 CH)
    • CDS 485: Special Topics (Advanced Aural Rehabilitation) (2 CH)
    • Optional Electives: CDS 408, CDS 450, CDS 460, CDS 590

Required Clinical Courses (30-32 CH)

*varies depending on selection of CDS 598 or CDS 597

  • CDS 594 (A) (3 CH), CDS 594 (B) (3 CH), CDS 594 (C) (2 CH)
  • CDS 598: Internship Communication Disorders (9 CH)
  • CDS 598: Internship Communication Disorders (9 CH) -OR-
  • CDS 597: Public School Practicum (12 CH)
  • CDS 591 (1 CH), CDS 591 (1 CH), CDS 591 (1 CH)

Required Research Tools (6 CH)

  • CDS 500: Research Design in Speech Pathology & Audiology (3 CH)

Thesis (3 CH)

  • 3 credit hours from CDS 599

Total: 68-71 Credit Hours

Comprehensive Examination Option

Required Core Courses (29 CH)

  • Speech (12 CH)
    • CDS 505: Phonological Development & Disorders (3 CH)
    • CDS 510: Stuttering: Behavior Assessment and Therapy (3 CH)
    • CDS 512: Voice Disorders (3 CH)
    • CDS 541: Neurogenic Disorders of Communication II (3 CH)
  • Language (9 CH)
    • CDS 507: Language Disorders (3 CH)
    • CDS 517: Seminar: Language Disorders Birth to Three (3 CH)
    • CDS 540: Neurogenics Disorders of Communication I (3 CH)
  • Speech or Language (6 CH)
    • CDS 485: Special Topics (Counseling) (3 CH)
    • CDS 485: Special Topics (Medical Speech) (3 CH)
  • Speech, Language, or Hearing (2 CH)
    • CDS 485: (Advanced Aural Rehabilitation) (2 CH)
    • Optional Electives: CDS 408, CDS 450, CDS 460, CDS 590,

Required Clinical Courses (30-32 CH)*

*varies depending on selection of CDS 598 or CDS 597

  • CDS 594 (A) (3 CH), CDS 594 (B) (3 CH), CDS 594 (C) (2 CH)
  • CDS 598: Internship Communication Disorders (9 CH)
  • CDS 598: Internship Communication Disorders (9 CH) -OR-
  • CDS 597: Public School Practicum (12 CH)
  • CDS 595 (1 CH), CDS 595 (1 CH), CDS 595 (1 CH)

Required Research Tools (3 CH)

  • CDS 500: Research Design in Speech Pathology & Audiology (3 CH)

Comprehensive Exam (1 CH)

  • 1 credit hour from CDS 593

Total: 63-66 Credit Hours

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Students may petition the faculty for an M.A. in Communication Disorders and Sciences degree which does not include the clinical courses and does not culminate in eligibility or certification in speech pathology (minimum of 34 required credit hours).      

Academic Standing

The graduate student whose overall graduate grade point average (GGPA) falls below 3.0 shall be placed on academic probation by the Graduate School. Students are restricted from clinical experiences while on academic probation. The time limit for being removed from probationary status shall be maximum of two consecutive regular semesters. If at this time the student’s overall GGPA is not at least 3.0, the student’s enrollment will be terminated. In addition, students whose semester GGPA falls below 3.0 for two consecutive regular semesters, will be terminated from the program. Grades of “C” or below are considered failing grades in the CDS graduate program.