Communication Sciences, MA
Degree: Master of Arts (MA)
Field of Study: Communication Sciences
Program Overview
The principal goal of the Master of Arts program is to develop clinical scientists who are skilled in the management of individuals with speech and language disorders. Upon successful completion of the Master of Arts degree, students will also meet the academic and clinical practicum requirements for certification by ASHA and licensure in the State of Ohio.
Clinical Opportunities in Speech, Language, and Hearing Disorders
The clinical training component of the MA program is unique and is consistently cited as a strength of the program by outside reviewers. The Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center (CHSC) serves as the initial training site for the Communication Sciences Program. Students are supervised by practicing speech-language pathologists and audiologists at the CHSC for part of their practicum experience. The clinical staff provides beginning graduate students with one-on-one supervision to help them develop clinical skills through a variety of specialized CHSC programs. Students also participate in an externship program that includes medical and clinical placements at sites throughout Greater Cleveland, including University Hospitals, UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, MetroHealth Medical Center, Monarch Center for Autism, and the Louis Stokes Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will successfully complete the graduate degree program as evidenced by completing coursework and clinical (experiences) in the areas of: articulation, fluency, voice and resonance, receptive and expressive language, hearing, swallowing, cognitive aspects of communication, social aspects of communication and augmentative and alternative communication modalities.
- Students will meet the educational and clinical credentialing requirements for licensure by the Ohio Board of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology.
- Students will be eligible to take the PRAXIS examination and begin the speech language pathology clinical fellowship required for ASHA certification.
- Students will be prepared for employment in a variety of professional environments including: educational/developmental programs, clinics, medical, and research. They will be prepared by successful completion of academic/clinical requirements and by demonstration of ethical and professional conduct.
Graduate Policies
For graduate policies and procedures, please review the School of Graduate Studies section of the General Bulletin.
Program Requirements
Degree requirements include completion of a minimum of 44 credit hours of course work and a clinical practicum in communication disorders. In addition, students must satisfactorily complete a clinical research project or write a master’s thesis.
Sample Plan of Study
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| COSI 405 | Neuroscience of Communication and Communication Disorders a | 3 |
| COSI 455 | Fluency Disorders | 3 |
| COSI 453 | Articulation and Phonology Disorders | 3 |
| COSI 457 | Acquired Neurogenic Communication Disorders | 3 |
| COSI 452A | Graduate Clinical Practicum I: Case Management | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| COSI 444 | Evidence Based Practice in Communication Disorders | 2 |
| COSI 444L | Evidence Based Practice in Communication Disorders Lab | 1 |
| COSI 557 | Acquired Adult Language Disorders | 3 |
| COSI 562 | Medical Aspects of Speech Pathology III: Dysphagia | 3 |
| COSI 456 | Child Language Disorders | 3 |
| COSI 452B | Graduate Clinical Practicum II: Professional Issues | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Summer | ||
| COSI 452S | Graduate Clinical Practicum III: Special Populations | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 1 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COSI 443 | Meta-Analysis of Communication Disorders Research Workshop | 1 |
| COSI 556 | Language Disorders II: Language and Literacy | 3 |
| COSI 600 | Special Problems and Topics | 2 |
| COSI 452C | Graduate Clinical Practicum III: Special Populations | 1 |
| COSI 560 | Medical Aspects of Speech Pathology I: Voice Disorders | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| COSI 563 | Medical Aspects of Speech Pathology IV: Pediatric Dysphagia | 3 |
| COSI 561 | Med Aspects of Speech Path II: Motor Speech Disorders | 3 |
| COSI 452E | Graduate Clinical Practicum V: Medical Speech Pathology | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 7 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 46 | |
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For students who did not take COSI 305 as a CWRU undergraduate student.