Department of Communicative Disorders
           West Chester University
Dr. Michael S. Weiss, Chair
201 Carter Drive
West Chester, PA 19383
Call: 610-436-3401
Fax : 610-436-3388
mweiss@wcupa.edu

Admission Requirements

(for Master of Arts in Communicative Disorder)

What are the requirements for admission to the M.A. program in Communicative Disorders?

In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission to a degree program at West Chester University, applicants must:

1. Present an undergraduate background of at least 30 semester hours in the following areas of study: psychology, human development, linguistics, statistics, speech and language development, phonetics, speech disorders, language disorders, hearing disorders, basic speech and hearing science, and clinical experience.

2. Present undergraduate transcripts showing at least 3.0 average in both your undergraduate GPA and your major GPA.

3. Demonstrate proficiency in written communication skills as measured by a 750-word essay describing future goals and aspirations. (Click here to see instructions.)

4. Submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores.

5. Submit a log of your supervised clinical observation hours

6. Submit a log of undergraduate clinical practicum (if applicable).

7. Submit three letters of recommendation.

Am I expected to have competencies in certain areas before seeking admission to the M.A. program?

A. Linguistics and Phonetics--Competencies in BOTH areas is required.
A linguistics course which introduces the student to language description, classification, change, reconstruction, dialectology, and sociolinguistics.

A course which addresses the areas of phonetics, classical phonetic feature system, distinctive feature system, I.P.A., application of broad and narrow transcription and phonological principles.
B. Basic Sciences--Competencies in two areas: biological sciences and physical sciences

A course in biology and a course in the physical sciences are required by ASHA in order for a student to meet the requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC).

C. Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism
A course which includes a detailed study the of anatomy and physiology of the respiratory, phonatory, articulatory, auditory and nervous systems. Attention should be given to the way in which physiological processes support human communication as well as to learning the structures associated with each system.
D. Speech and Hearing Science: Acoustics
A course which includes the study of the bases of physical measurement, simple harmonic motion, complex waves, measurement of sound, resonance and filters should be included.
E. Mathematics and Statistics--Competencies in BOTH areas is required.
The mathematics and statistics competency includes: ability to carry out basic computation of algebraic equations and trigonometric functions, ability to work with exponents and logarithms, ability to solve word problems, ability to compute basic descriptive statistics and the ability to compute inferential statistics.
F. Introductory Psychology
A basic course in Psychology that includes: an introduction to the scientific study of behavior. The multiple bases of human behavior with emphasis on the learning process. The course should address basic concepts, principles and methodologies used in psychology.
G. Human Development

A course which traces human development through both the childhood and adult epochs of the lifespan.

H. Speech and Language Development
A course which emphasizes normal communication development: biological, cognitive, social and ecological bases of language. It should include developmental milestones from prelinguistic communication to oral language, literacy, and changes associated with aging. It should also address normal variations in development associated with cultural diversity and bilingualism.
I. Speech Disorders
A survey course in human communication disorders AND a course in which at least one third of the content concerns articulation and phonological disorders and which includes units of study in voice disorders and fluency disorders.
J. Language Disorders
A course whose content emphasizes the clinical management of developmental and acquired language disorders in children and aging adults. Categories of language disorders, including risk indicators, etiologies, symptomatologies and maintaining factors associated with each disorders should be studied. Evaluation and treatment protocols indicated by developmental theories, processing models and sensitivity to normal variations among culturally diverse populations should be included.
K. Hearing Disorders

The course should include an introduction to audiology and its relationship to other educational and medical fields concerned with hearing impairments. It should also include information pertaining to the developmental, medical, social, physical and psychological properties of hearing and sound and evaluative techniques for assessing hearing loss.

 

What Clinical Competencies will I need?

L. Clinical Principles
This course should familiarize students with the evaluative and therapeutic materials and methods which are applicable in a professional clinical setting.
M. Clinical Observation
At least 25 clock hours of supervised clinical observation must be completed prior to beginning initial clinical practicum. The department reserves the right to request a log of the completed observations, signed by the responsible supervisor(s).
O. Clinical Practicum (optional)
Supervised clinical management of individuals with communication disorders, including diagnostics and treatment. A detailed log of practicum hours, including age of clients, type of disorder, hours of spent in diagnostic and in treatment activities must be presented. The signature and ASHA certification number of the supervising clinician must also part of the log.

**NOTE: Applicants who enter the M.A. program with all prerequisites except Clinical Principles and Clinical Practicum must complete these two courses within the first two semesters of study. Foundations of Research (SPP 501); Experimental Phonetics (SPP 502); and Neurology (SPP 508) may be taken concurrently with the clinical courses.

Who do I contact for more information?

For information about the graduate program, please contact:

Michael S. Weiss, Ph.D.
Graduate Program Coordinator

Phone: 610 436-3403
e-mail: mweiss@wcupa.edu

You can also contact the department office at: 610 436-3401

How do I get an application?

The deadline for receipt of applications is January 15. Applications are accepted only for Fall admission to the program.

Applications should be requested from:
Office of Graduate Studies
& Sponsored Research
McKelvie Hall, 102 Rosedale Avenue
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383-2300
 
Voice: 610-436-2943
Fax: 610-436-2763


Completed applications should be returned to the Graduate Studies office.

Click here to link to the Office of Graduate Studies

Is financial aid available?

Yes. A limited number of graduate assistantships are available. For information and an application, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies. For information about other types of financial aid, please contact:

Office of Financial Aid
E.O. Bull Center
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
Phone: 610 436-2627