Graduate Catalog: 2012-2013 - Alabama A&M University

OBJECTIVESAlabama A&M University’s master’s degreeprogram in Communicative Sciences and Disordershas as its primary objective the education of highlycompetent speech-language pathologists who arecapable of interacting in a variety of employmentsettings such as hospitals, clinics, public schools,rehabilitation centers, private practice, nursingfacilities, or special centers/schools. The secondobjective is to provide training which allows personswith varying backgrounds to become fully qualifiedto apply for national certification through theAmerican Speech-Language-Hearing Association(ASHA), for state licensure through the AlabamaBoard of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathologyand Audiology (ABESPA) and for the alternativeteaching certificate through the Alabama StateDepartment of Education (ASDE). Individualsapplying for teaching certification must take and passthe Alabama Prospective Teacher Test (APTT) BasicSkills Assessment. The third objective of the programis to increase the representation of ASHA certifiedminority speech-language pathologists.ADMISSION REQUIREMENTSSelected applicants are admitted to the Program inthe fall and spring semesters of the academic year forwhich they apply.Application DeadlinesFall ................................................................. April 15Spring ........................................................ October 15Because enrollment into the CSD Program iscompetitive applications are reviewed carefully toassign priority to the most qualified students. Itshould be noted that not every student whosecredentials meet stated quantitative standards will beadmitted.Students must first meet all requirements foradmission to the School of Graduate Studies plus thefollowing criteria:1. An undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of3.0 or better (on a 4.0 grading scale).2. Graduate Records Examination (GRE) minimumscore of 146 (400) on the Verbal portion and140 (400) on the Quantitative portion is required.3. Transcripts of all undergraduate work attempted,including junior colleges and communitycolleges4. Three letters of recommendation (ondepartmental or institutional letterhead,preferably from the student’s undergraduateprofessors)5. A letter, written by the applicant, expressing aStatement of professional goals and objectives(No specific format required at this time)6. Applicants whose first language is not Englishrequire a minimum score on the Test of Englishas a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of 600 (paperbased),250 (computer-based), or 100 (Internetbased)within two years prior to application. TheTOEFL scores must be on file in the GraduateSchool prior to receipt of the application forgraduate study.Note: CSD application deadlines are different fromthe Office of Graduate Studies. Only completedpackages will be reviewed.DEGREE REQUIREMENTSThe Communicative Sciences and Disorders degreeis a 57-63 semester hour program for studentsholding a bachelor level degree in speech-languagepathology, and an 87-93 semester hour program forstudents holding a bachelor level degree in an areaother than speech-language pathology. * In order tomeet the current ASHA certification requirementsstudents are required to enroll in CSD 516 AdvancedClinical Practicum every semester of enrollment untilall required clinical clock hours are completed.Students will not be permitted to graduate until allclinical clock hours are completed.ADVISINGEach student’s program is planned with the guidanceof, and in consultation with, a departmental advisorin the area of Communicative Sciences andDisorders. The program does not take responsibilityfor courses taken without program advisement andapproval. A copy of the program of study can beobtained from the program office or on the CSDwebsite.Decision on clinical/academic performance andpossible termination of students from the program* Students who do not hold a bachelor’s degree in speech pathologymay be required to take additional courses. Depending upontheir previous academic records, students may be required to takeprerequisite courses to complete the Degree program.41