(Master of Arts in Communicative Disorders Frequently Asked Questions)

How long does it take to complete the M.A. degree?

A full-time student student can complete the MA in two years, including summers, with or without teacher certification. Part-time students can complete the program in 3 years.

Does the department accept part-time students to the degree program?

Yes, the department does accept a number of on-campus students to the program on a part-time basis. It reserves the right to limit the number of credits that part-time students can take in any semester.

What academic coursework must I complete for the M.A. degree?

The academic coursework is divided into four components:

1.	Required courses in speech-language pathology (54 credits)
2.	Elective courses (6 credits). Students electing the thesis option must complete one elective course (3 credits) in addition to three (3) credits of thesis.
3.	Graduate Clinical Affiliation (off-campus clinical practicum) (18 credits)

How many credits of coursework must I take to complete the degree?

The Master of Arts Degree in Communicative Disorders requires 60-66 semester hours of academic course work, including graduate clinical practicum hours. As part of the program you must complete a minimum of 400 hours of therapy and diagnostics with clinic clients. Graduate clinical practica are taken on both on-campus and off-campus (Graduate Clinical Affiliation).

The actual number of credit hours you will need to complete the program may differ from that presented above and is dependent on such factors as graduate courses you wish to transfer from other schools, academic deficiencies in your undergraduate program, an option to elect a program leading to certification to practice in Pennsylvania school systems, and the number of clinical practicum hours you need to complete the 400 clock hour requirement. Shown below are the Communicative Disorders courses in the M.A. program. You will be provided with a curriculum when you enter the program. The curriculum can be modified under advisement.

What courses does the department offer?

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
SPP 501	Foundations of Research in Speech Pathology	3
SPP 511	Language Disorders in Children from 0-5	3
SPP 512	Language Disorders among School-aged Children and Adolescents	3
SPP 516	Adult Neurogenic Speech & Language Disorders	3
SPP 523	Voice Disorders	3
SPP 524	Fluency Disorders	3
SPP 526	Clinical Articulation and Phonology	3
SPP 543	Therapy for the Hearing Impaired	3
SPP 575	Medical Speech Pathology	3
SPP 582	Dysphagia	3
SPP 551	Graduate Clinical Practicum Speech and Language - 1	3
SPP 551	Graduate Clinical Practicum Speech and Language - 2	3
SPP 551	Graduate Clinical Practicum - Hearing	1.5
SPP 551	Graduate Clinical Practicum - Speech/Language Diagnostics	1.5
Electives: (6 credits chosen with advisement)
SPP 550	Advanced Diagnostic & Therapeutic Methods	3
SPP 560	Seminar: in Communicative Disorders:(arious topics)	1-3
SPP 565	Autism	3
SPP 570	School Language, Speech and Hearing Programs	3
SPP 573	Administion & Supervision of Speech/Hearing Programs	3
SPP 580	Orofacial Anomalies	3
SPP 589	Neuromuscular Disorders	3
SPP 590	Independent Study	3
SPP 610	Thesis	3
SPP 552	Medical Affiliation Practicum	9
SPP 553	School-based Affiliation Practicum	9

What is the minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) required to remain in the Degree program?

As a candidate for the M.A. degree, you must meet the general University requirements for the degree. You are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale.

Are there courses that I must complete in order to be a fully matriculated student?

Yes. The program requires you to complete the following courses during your first 15 semester hours of graduate study: SPP 501, SPP 511 and SPP 524 and SPP 526. During this period you are also required to apply for Admission to Degree Candidacy. A complete explanation of this process can be found in the Graduate Catalog.

Must I write a thesis to complete the program?

No. The department has a thesis and a non-thesis option. The non-thesis option requires students to pass a comprehensive examination in the last semester of their studies.

What clinical practicum requirements must I meet?

The M.A. degree requires successful completion of supervised clinical practicum in the University Speech and Hearing Clinic and at least two approved affiliation (off-campus) sites. A total of 400 hours of supervised clinical practicum are necessary; a minimum of 325 hours are required at the graduate level. You will be given credit for only those undergraduate practicum hours that you have completed under the supervision of a clinician who holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP). The authorized clinical logs that you submit as part of your application for admission to the M.A. program are used to verify the undergraduate clinical hours that you have completed.