M.S. in Communication Disorders
The Master of Science in Communication Disorders Program (MSCD) at Stockton University has a curriculum designed to prepare program graduates for certification as speech language pathologists by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and for certification as Speech-Language Specialists in the New Jersey Public Schools.
About the Program
The mission of the Master of Science in Communication Disorders Program is to prepare students for New Jersey Licensure and for certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in speech-language pathology, as well as for certification as Speech-Language Specialists by the New Jersey Department of Education; to demonstrate the principles of evidence-based practice; to provide opportunities for continuing education; and to provide direct clinical services to the surrounding community.
The program requires completion of 60 graduate credits. Opportunities are available for faculty-student collaboration in research.
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Communication Disorders education program in Speech-Language Pathology at Stockton University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
You can directly contact the CAA with any complaints or concerns related to Stockton University's Communication Disorders program's compliance with accreditation standards. To contact the CAA, you can:
- write to them at Accreditation Office at ASHA, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850
- call ASHA's Action Center at 800-498-2071
- send an e-mail to accreditation@asha.org
Clinical Hours
All Master's degree candidates must complete 400 clinical hours of supervised clinical experience. Of these 400 hours, 25 must be in supervised observation. Per ASHA certification requirements, at least 325 of the 400 clinical hours must be completed at the graduate level. Students will receive clinical experience both on campus in Stockton's Speech and Hearing Clinic and off campus in various clinical placements. Students will be able to graduate having had a variety of clinical experiences. Students must enroll full-time in the MSCD Program. The requirements are demanding but the outcome is rewarding.
Additional Program Resources
- Applying
- ASHA Code of Ethics
- Complaint/Concerns Process
- MSCD Clinical Handbook
- MSCD Strategic Plan
- MSCD Student Handbook
- Organizational Chart
- Student Achievement Data
- Stockton University Policy on Equitable Treatment of Faculty & Staff
- Stockton University Policy on Equitable Treatment of Students
- Technical Standards for Admission and Retention
Program Requirements
- 60 credits
- Minimum of 400 supervised clinical hours
- Comprehensive examination
- Students must provide their preceptor with a timeframe for registering or and completing the PRAXIS prior to graduation.
Curriculum
MSCD Curriculum - 60 credits
Required Courses- 54 credits |
CMDS 5110 Neurological Bases of Communication Disorders (3 credits) CMDS 5120 Language Disorders in Young Children (3 credits) CMDS 5125 Advanced Clinical Methods (3 credits) CMDS 5220 Language Disorders in School Aged Children (3 credits) CMDS 5230 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (3 credits) CMDS 5310 Speech Sound Disorders (3 credits) CMDS 5410 Diagnostic Methods (3 credits) CMDS 5411 Diagnostic Methods Application (2 credits) CMDS 5420 Clinical Audiology for Speech-Language Pathologists (3 credits) CMDS 5455 Disorders of Voice and Fluency (3 credits) CMDS 5900 Clinical Methods Application (1 credit) CMDS 5901 Clinical Practicum I (3 credits) CMDS 5902 Clinical Practicum II (3 credits) CMDS 5903 Clinical Practicum III (3 credits) CMDS 6110 Research in Communication Disorders (3 credits) CMDS 6210 Acquired Adult Language Disorders (3 credits) CMDS 6430 Dysphagia (3 credits) CMDS 6440 Motor Speech Disorders (3 credits) CMDS 6460 Communication Disorders in Special Populations (3 credits) |
Electives- 6 credits |
CMDS 5421 Educational Audiology Management (3 credits) CMDS 5470 Speech-Language Pathology in the School (3 credits) CMDS 6630 Research Seminar (May be repeated for credit) (3 credits) CMDS 6420 Advanced Topics in Medical Speech Pathology (3 credits) CMDS 6450 Advanced Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Issues in Communication Disorders (3 credits) CMDS 6470 Advanced Counseling in Communication Disorders (3 credits) CMDS 5904 Specialty Clinic (Beyond required semester) (1 credit) |
In addition, students may, with permission, enroll in electives offered by related disciplines such as: |
EDUC 5320 Survey of Moderate and Severe Disabilities (3 credits) EDUC 5331 Behavior Management and Behavioral Disorders (3 credits) EDUC 5365 Diagnosis of Reading/ Language Abilities/ Disabilities (3 credits) |
For course descriptions, please visit The University's Course Catalog.
Admissions Criteria
Application Deadline
Fall 2019: Verified by February 1, 2019
Prerequisite Requirements
- Completion of a baccalaureate degree
- Cumulative 3.2 GPA or higher
- Completion of prerequisite coursework with a grade "C" or better
Prerequisite Coursework
Applicants must successfully complete the prerequisite coursework with a grade of "C" or better by the end of the summer semester of the academic year in which the applicant applies for admission. Some of this coursework can be completed through Stockton University's undergraduate course offerings. The coursework should cover the concepts of:
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism
- Phonetics
- Speech and Hearing Science
- Introduction to Communication Disorders
- Speech and Language Development
- Introduction to Audiology
In addition, the Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CFCC) 2014 certification requirements in speech-language pathology include a course in each of the following (grade of C or higher):
- Biological Science
- Physical Science (ideally, a course dealing primarily with the principles of physic or chemistry)
- Social Science (such as psychology or sociology)
- Statistics
For additional information on course content requirements go to the CFCC Certification Standards website: http://www.asha.org/Certification/2014-Speech-Language-Pathology-Certification-Standards/#Standard_III
Application Process
The application process into Stockton's MSCD program is two-fold. You must submit an application through the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application System (CSDCAS) as well as through Stockton's Online Supplemental CAS Application prior to February 1. Stockton University is a green school which means that applicants must have their applications verified (GPA calculated) by the deadline date. Applications must be completed (e-submitted, payment received, and transcripts received) at least four weeks in advance of the deadline to ensure the application is verified on time. Program specific admissions information including prerequisite course requirements can be reviewed on the CSDCAS Stockton Profile page.
Your Application to the CSDCAS application should include:
- Official Transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (including Stockton)
- Three letters of recommendation
- Essay, resume, and any other additional information asked in CSDCAS.
- MSCD-HES applicants must upload the MSCD-HES Supplemental Questions Form
- Official GRE Test Scores sent directly to CSDCAS (school code: 3872)
- For details please visit https://csdcas.liaisoncas.com
II. Stockton Online Supplemental CAS Application
- Discover Stockton Online Supplemental CAS Application (you must create a Discover Stockton Account)
- Application Fee: $50 (non-refundable), submitted with your online application (this is an addition to the CSDCAS fee)
- For more details about the application process, please visit the Application Process page.
MSCD-Hispanic Emphasis Specialization
Mission
The MSCD-Hispanic Emphasis Specialization (HES) is an option for students enrolled in Stockton University’s Master of Science in Communication Disorders Program (MSCD). The purpose of MSCD-HES is to enhance the preparation of future bilingual speech-language pathologists with a special interest in working with Spanish-English bilingual individuals diagnosed with communication and/or swallowing disorders.
Eligibility
Prospective students interested in the MSCD-HES at Stockton University must complete the following:
- Respond to MSCD-HES questions on Stockton's Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application System (CSDCAS).
- In Spanish, please write a brief essay (500 words or less) on the reason for wanting to participate in the MSCD-HES.
- Prerequisite Course: Applicants must demonstrate completion of a course in Second Language Acquisition with a B+ or higher:
- prior to starting the MSCD program -OR-
- prior to the end of year 1 of the MSCD program.
The prerequisite course is offered at Stockton online (EDUC 5203: Second Language Acquisition) and at any other college/university that offers an English as a Second Language (ESOL or TESOL) certification program.
- Earn acceptance to the MSCD graduate program (minimum GPA: 3.2)
- Demonstrate Spanish language proficiency with a Spanish phone interview with native Spanish-speaking Stockton faculty member(s).
Students admitted to the MSCD-Hispanic Emphasis Specialization would be eligible for one of two Graduate Assistant (GA) positions (2 credits per semester) available for the top 2 HES candidates.
Curriculum
MSCD-HES Course Requirements: 60 Credits
MSCD Required Courses- 51 credits |
Successfully complete all required MSCD Courses. *MSCD-HES assignments infused throughout the MSCD curriculum |
MSCD-HES Required Elective- 3 credits |
CMDS 6450: Advanced Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Issues in Communication Disorders |
MSCD-HES Required Clinical Experiences- 3 credits |
CMDS 5904: Bilingual Specialty Clinic CMDS 5902 and/or 5903 (Clinical Practicum II and/or III) in consultation with the MSCD Clinical Externship Coordinator) |
MSCD-HES Capstone Project- 3 credits |
CMDS 6630: Research Seminar |
MSCD-HES Outcome
Prior to graduation, students in the MSCD-Hispanic Emphasis Specialization will demonstrate competencies needed to provide appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic services to monolingual (Spanish) and bilingual (English and Spanish) Hispanic clients through satisfactory completion of the following requirements:
- MSCD-HES infused course assignments,
- Required Elective (CMDS 6450-Advanced Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Issues in Communication),
- Bilingual Specialty Clinical Experience (CMDS 5904: Bilingual Specialty Clinic),
- Externship Clinical Experiences (CMDS 5902 and/or CMDS 5903: Practicum II and/or III),
- Completion of a Capstone Project (CMDS 6630- Research Seminar), and
- Completion and documentation of Community Engagement Activities in the Hispanic Community (minimum 10 hours).
Upon successful completion of all MSCD-HES requirements, the MSCD-HES graduate will receive a certificate of completion documenting completion of MSCD-HES as part of the MSCD graduate program.
Contact Information
For further information, please contact Dr. Phillip A. Hernández, Ed.D., CCC-SLP/L, Advisor of the MSCD-Hispanic Emphasis Specialization, at phillip.hernandez@stockton.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
The application deadline is February 1 for Fall admission only. Application must be verified through the Communication Science and Disorders Centralized Application System (CSDCAS). Transcripts, letters of recommendation, volunteer/observation hours, essay, and any additional application materials must be submitted through CSDCAS. In addition to the CSDCAS application, applicants must fill out the Stockton Online Supplemental CAS Application. The Stockton Online Supplemental CAS Application must be received by the Office of Graduate Studies by the application deadline without exceptions.
- Completion of the MSCD application through https://csdcas.liaisoncas.com
- Completion of Stockton's Online Supplemental CAS Application.
- Completion of the prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of "C" by the end of the summer semester of the academic year in which the applicant applies for admission.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher. A cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher is considered competitive.
- Official transcripts for all course work at regionally accredited colleges or universities attended must be submitted to CSDCAS. In reviewing applications, emphasis will be placed on the most recent 60 credits completed.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score. Official GRE scores must be requested from
the testing agency and sent directly to CSDCAS (school code 3872). Scores at or above
the 50th percentile in the Verbal and Quantitative sections will be considered competitive.
- The Graduate Record Examination: GRE Official test scores must be requested from the appropriate testing agency and reported directly to CSDCAS.org. The GRE exam must be completed by the applicant within the last ten calendar years. For information on testing locations and times visit www.ets.org.
- Students must meet the "Technical Standards and Essential Functions" requirements for participation in Stockton's MSCD Program. These functions can be reviewed online by clicking here.
3. Do I need to have an undergraduate major in speech-language pathology or communication disorders?
No. However, you will need prerequisite coursework. Applicants must successfully complete the prerequisite coursework with a grade of "C" or better by the end of the summer semester of the academic year in which the applicant applies for admission. The course work should cover the concepts of:
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism
- Phonetics
- Speech and Hearing Science
- Introduction to Communication Disorders
- Speech and Language Development
- Introduction to Audiology
In addition, ASHA certification requirements include a course in each of the following (grade of C or higher):
- Biological Science
- Physical Science (ideally, a course dealing primarily with the principles of physics or chemistry)
- Social Science (Such as Psychology or Sociology)
- Statistics
While a background in the human services field or a related major is helpful, clinical experience is not required prior to the beginning of the program. In order to receive ASHA certification, graduate students will need to complete a total of up to 25 hours of directed observation and up to 50 hours of clinical experience (beyond observation). Approval of the hours will be on an individual basis. Documented hours at the time of application must be submitted through CSDCAS.
Yes. The MSCD program accepts observation hours from the Master Clinician online clinical program or from observing a recorded session that is signed off by a certified SLP.
The Master of Science in Communication Disorders education program in Speech-Language Pathology at Stockton University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
Please visit the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) website at: www.asha.org
*Information contained on this page is subject to change.
Apply today. If you have further questions you can Request More Information or call the Office of Graduate Studies at (609) 626-3640 or E-mail gradschool@stockton.edu.
Stacy Gallese Cassel, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Associate Professor of Communication Disorders
Coordinator, M.S. in Communication Disorders Program