Master of Science in Communicative Disorders
Last Admit Term: Fall 2021
Advisors: Epstein, Gray, Raggio, Robinson, Soto, Sundarrajan, Yu
Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree or equivalent coursework in Communicative Disorders. In addition, coursework in biological sciences, physical sciences (either physics or chemistry), statistics, and social sciences is required before admission to the graduate program. These courses may have been completed for an undergraduate degree to fulfill general education requirements and would be acceptable, in addition to an undergraduate major in Communicative Disorders, or an equivalent at the post-baccalaureate level. See department and program websites for academic and faculty information at comdis.sfsu.edu
Admission to Program
Admission to the graduate program in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences is a two-step process that should be completed simultaneously. Annual admissions are for fall semesters only.
- Apply to San Francisco State University: Complete the online CSU Mentor application. Follow all other requirements for admission to the University by accessing grad.sfsu.edu.
- Apply to the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. The application deadline is December 15. More information about how to apply can be found at https://gcoe.sfsu.edu/current-students/how-apply. More information about the department and application process can be found at https://comdis.sfsu.edu/home.
Selection is based on the following:
- Completion of the SF State Level I Written English Proficiency (WEP) requirement must be met before admission.
- A completed program application form, official transcripts, and two letters of recommendation from former professors or individuals conversant with work with speech, language, and/or hearing impaired individuals must be submitted.
- Evidence of satisfactory completion of prerequisites, and an undergraduate degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, or completion of equivalent courses, which are prerequisites to the graduate courses in the program. Applicants who do not have an undergraduate degree in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences will be required to complete equivalent coursework before admission as a graduate student.
When accepted into the program, attend the program orientation to receive advising.
Communicative Disorders (M.S.) — 61 units minimum
Academic Courses (38 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ISED 797 | Seminar in Educational Research | 3 |
| SLHS 657 | Aural Rehabilitation | 3 |
| SLHS 701 | Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Practices in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences | 3 |
| SLHS 702 | Social Communication Development | 3 |
| SLHS 707 | Serving School Communities in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences | 3 |
| SLHS 708 | Neurogenic Disorders of Language | 3 |
| SLHS 709 | Speech Sound Production | 3 |
| SLHS 710 | Seminar in Dysphagia | 3 |
| SLHS 714 | Interprofessional Education & Family-Centered Practice (1 Unit Course, Taken Twice) | 2 |
| SLHS 754 | Voice and Resonance | 3 |
| SLHS 755 | Fluency Disorders | 3 |
| SLHS 756 | Right Hemisphere Syndrome, TBI, Dementia in Communicative Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 743 | Issues in Augmentative and Alternative Communication 1 | 3 |
| or SPED 746 | Teaching Individuals with Physical and Other Health Impairments | |
| 1 | Students should only take SPED 746 if an undergraduate course in Augmentative and Alternative Communication was completed before entering the program. |
Clinical Practicum (6 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| SLHS 713 | Seminar in Therapy (1 Unit Course, Taken Twice) | 2 |
| SLHS 880 | Advanced Communication Therapy (2 Unit Course, Taken Twice ) | 4 |
Internships (14 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| SLHS 712 | Internship Workshop Seminar: Communicative Disabilities (1 Unit Course, Taken Twice) | 2 |
| SLHS 882 | Advanced Internship (6 unit Course, Take Twice) | 12 |
Culminating Experience (3–6 units)
Select One of the following Culminating Experience Options:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Plan A | 3 | |
| Counseling in Communicative Disorders | ||
| Culminating Experience Examination | ||
| Plan B | 6 | |
| Counseling in Communicative Disorders | ||
| Master's Thesis in Communicative Disorders | ||
| Plan C | 6 | |
| Counseling in Communicative Disorders | ||
| Field Study: Special Education | ||
Note: Plans B & C are recommended to individuals planning to pursue predoctoral education. In addition, completion of Plan B, thesis and oral defense, or Plan C, field study, are accepted in lieu of the master’s written comprehensive examination.
Optional Courses
The following courses are not required for degree completion. However, when combined with the required courses for the MS in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, they can lead to additional certificates, such as the Graduate Certificate in Augmentative and Alternative Communication or the Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum. For more information about the College of Education's Certificates and Credential programs, please check out the following page: link
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| SPED 746 | Teaching Individuals with Physical and Other Health Impairments | 3 |
| SPED 779 | Family Systems and Services for Young Children with Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 791 | Nature of the Autism Spectrum | 3 |
| SPED 794 | Socialization and Imagination: Autism | 3 |
| SPED 825 | Communication, Behavior and Instructional Supports: Autism | 3 |
| E ED 701 | Social, Cultural, and Historical Foundations of Education | 3 |
| E ED 713 | Spanish Heritage Language for the Bilingual Teacher: I | 3 |