Speech/Language Pathology, Master of Science in Education
Offered by Department of Communication Disorders
Program Information and Admission Requirements
Program Description
The Communication Disorders program is designed to prepare Speech-Language Pathologists for Nebraska teacher certification, state licensure, and certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The program prepares graduates to work in early intervention programs, public schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, federal and state institutions. It also prepares students to apply for advanced degree programs in Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, Speech and Hearing Sciences, and related areas. Additional professional opportunities include private practice, research, university teaching, and clinic supervision and administration.
Admission Requirements
An applicant desiring to pursue the Master's Degree in the area of Speech/Language Pathology must have completed an undergraduate degree or equivalent from an accredited institution. If the degree was not comparable to that offered at the University of Nebraska at Kearney or if deficiencies exist, the applicant must take those undergraduate courses deemed necessary by the Communication Disorders faculty to make up the deficiencies. An applicant who has obtained a Bachelor's Degree in some other area will be required to take those undergraduate courses in Speech/Language Pathology and possibly in related areas necessary to complete the equivalent requirements for the undergraduate major. Two tracks are available for admission. The On-campus Track has a minimum of 53 credits and the Online Track has a minimum of 56 credits. Applications are accepted for the fall term only and are due by January 15th.
Admission for Unconditional (Full) status is based on the following preferred qualifications:
- Undergraduate overall grade point average of B or better,
- Undergraduate Communication Disorders major grade point average of B+ or better,
- Graduate grade point average of B+,
- Three letters of recommendation, and
- A professional resume.
- Verbal communication skills are assessed via a video interview based on a department-approved question/statement in the online application for both tracks.
- International students must meet the Graduate School minimum TOEFL score and all of the above minimum admission criteria. Official TOEFL (http://www.ets.org/toefl) or IELTS score (unless your home countries native language is English, or you have graduated from a U.S. college or university) are to be submitted to ensure that you are prepared for coursework taught in English. Scores must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service. The minimum TOEFL score accepted is 550 for the paper version and 79 for the internet version. The minimum IELTS score is 6.5.
- When all application materials have been received by the Office of Graduate Studies and Academic Outreach, completed files will be forwarded to the CDIS Department for consideration and recommendation.
Applicants may be admitted on a conditional basis if the applicant's materials do not meet minimal grade point or GRE standards. Unconditional (full) admission will not be granted until the student completes 12 credit hours of graduate course work in CDIS with a cumulative GPA of B or better.
Advising
In consultation with an advisor, the graduate student will develop a program of study/degree audit after acceptance into the degree program. This program will be approved by the department and the Dean of Graduate Studies and Academic Outreach. The program of study requires a minimum of 53 credits for the On-Campus track and a minimum 56 credits for the Online Track. In some cases, the graduate committee may require additional credit hours in Communication Disorders or in related areas if a student has a significant weakness in a specific area. A student may elect to take more than a minimum of 53 credits for the On-Campus track and a minimum of 56 credits for the Online Track. In special cases, alternate courses may be substituted for required courses, with the approval of the Communication Disorders faculty.
UNK Non-Discrimination Policy Statement
www.unk.edu/offices/human_resources/aaeo/policies/nondiscrimination_policy.php
The University of Nebraska at Kearney declares and affirms a policy of equal educational and employment opportunities, affirmative action in employment, and nondiscrimination in providing its services to the public. Therefore, the University of Nebraska at Kearney shall not discriminate against anyone based on race, age, color, disability, religion, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, marital status, or veteran status.
Comprehensive Exams or Thesis Options
In addition to successful completion of all required course work, students must pass a comprehensive exam. Students who complete a thesis do not write comprehensive exams. Students can register for up to six credit hours of thesis for completion of the degree. Thesis credit hours can be counted toward the requirement of 50 in the On-Campus track. The thesis option is not available for the Online Track.
Professional Certification
Enrollment in CDIS 893P for 5 credit hours, and CDIS 894P for 4 credit hours, enables students to meet the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certification requirements, Nebraska licensure requirements, and Nebraska teacher certification requirements. Such certification applications include both academic and clinical requirements. Additional course work may be added to a program of study to meet teacher certification requirements. If a graduate student wishes to receive program endorsement for licensure in a state other than Nebraska, they must determine what those requirements are and bring them to the Graduate Program Chair and Clinic Coordinator. It is often true that a Master’s degree in CDIS is the primary requirement; however, some states have specific coursework or clock hour requirements that are not mandated by ASHA.
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Education degree in the Speech-Language Pathology Program at the University of Nebraska Kearney is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850, (800) 498-2071 or (301) 296-5700.
All students are required to complete an exit survey during the semester of graduation or program completion.
On Campus Track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Requirements | ||
| CDIS 818P | Diagnostic Methods | 3 |
| CDIS 830P | Pediatric Swallowing Disorders | 1 |
| CDIS 840P | Augmentative Alternative Communication | 3 |
| CDIS 851 | Speech Sound Disorders II | 3 |
| CDIS 852 | Read & Writ Strat for SLP: Serving Students w/Lang Based Literacy Disorders | 3 |
| CDIS 857 | Dysphagia | 2 |
| CDIS 861 | Practicum in Speech/Language Pathology | 2 |
| CDIS 862 | Practicum in Speech/Language Pathology | 2 |
| CDIS 863 | Practicum in Speech/Language Pathology | 2 |
| CDIS 864 | Practicum in Speech/Language Pathology | 2 |
| CDIS 865 | Voice and Resonance Disorders | 3 |
| CDIS 868 | Motor Speech Disorders | 3 |
| CDIS 876 | Cognitive Communication Disorders | 3 |
| CDIS 881 | Seminar in Speech-Language Pathology | 3 |
| CDIS 885P | Fluency Disorders | 3 |
| CDIS 887 | Aphasia Rehabilitation | 3 |
| CDIS 894P | Internship (Clinical) | 4 |
| CDIS 892P | Internship (Pediatric) | 5 |
| or CDIS 893P | Internship (Schools for NE Teacher Certification) | |
| Electives | ||
| Select 3 credit hours of electives: | 3 | |
| Research in Communication Disorders | ||
| Independent Study in Audiology | ||
| Neurological Foundations of Speech and Language | ||
| Professional Issues | ||
| Aging and Cognition | ||
| Infant-Preschool Assessment and Intervention | ||
| Independent Study in Speech-Language Pathology | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Special Topics in Speech-Language Pathology | ||
| Counseling Skills | ||
or CSP 850P | Introduction to Counseling and Social Advocacy | |
| Total Credit Hours | 53 | |
Online Track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CDIS 818P | Diagnostic Methods | 3 |
| CDIS 830P | Pediatric Swallowing Disorders | 1 |
| CDIS 840P | Augmentative Alternative Communication | 3 |
| CDIS 851 | Speech Sound Disorders II | 3 |
| CDIS 852 | Read & Writ Strat for SLP: Serving Students w/Lang Based Literacy Disorders | 3 |
| CDIS 857 | Dysphagia | 2 |
| CDIS 861 | Practicum in Speech/Language Pathology | 2 |
| CDIS 862 | Practicum in Speech/Language Pathology | 2 |
| CDIS 863 | Practicum in Speech/Language Pathology | 2 |
| CDIS 864 | Practicum in Speech/Language Pathology | 2 |
| CDIS 865 | Voice and Resonance Disorders | 3 |
| CDIS 868 | Motor Speech Disorders | 3 |
| CDIS 869 | Clinical Competencies in Speech-Language Pathology | 3 |
| CDIS 876 | Cognitive Communication Disorders | 3 |
| CDIS 881 | Seminar in Speech-Language Pathology | 3 |
| CDIS 885P | Fluency Disorders | 3 |
| CDIS 887 | Aphasia Rehabilitation | 3 |
| CDIS 894P | Internship (Clinical) | 4 |
| CDIS 893P | Internship (Schools for NE Teacher Certification) | 5 |
| or CDIS 892P | Internship (Pediatric) | |
| or CDIS 897 | Internship (Schools out-of-state) | |
| Electives | ||
| Select 3 credit hours of electives: | 3 | |
| Research in Communication Disorders | ||
| Independent Study in Audiology | ||
| Neurological Foundations of Speech and Language | ||
| Professional Issues | ||
| Aging and Cognition | ||
| Infant-Preschool Assessment and Intervention | ||
| Independent Study in Speech-Language Pathology | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Special Topics in Speech-Language Pathology | ||
| Counseling Skills | ||
or CSP 850P | Introduction to Counseling and Social Advocacy | |
| Total Credit Hours | 56 | |