School of Communication Science & Disorders

College: Communication & Information
Degree: MS
Limited Access: Yes
Contact: Jennifer Kekelis
Address:
201 W. Bloxham,
Warren Building
Tallahassee, FL 32306-1200
Phone: (850) 644-2253
Email: jennifer.kekelis@cci.fsu.edu

NEW for the Fall 2021 Admissions CycleFSU is waiving the GRE requirement for most programs. This includes the Master’s in Communication Science & Disorders program. Students may submit scores with their application but it is not required. There will be no penalty for not submitting scores and no extra credit will be given should scores be submitted.

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE & SMALL CLASS SIZES

Our main-campus graduate program provides advanced study in speech-language pathology for students preparing for professional careers in clinical, research and teaching environments.

Our program provides students with the skills necessary to work in a variety of settings such as schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing care facilities, and private practices. Through core classes, individualized elective options, and clinical experiences both within our in-house clinic and out in the Tallahassee community, our students obtain the highest level of preparation for their future career as speech-language pathologists.

Accreditation statement: The School of Communication Science and Disorders’ Master of Science (both residential and Distance Learning) education program in speech-language pathology at Florida State 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.

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Program's Overview

A master’s degree is the minimum educational level for entrance into the profession, and graduate-level training is required for professional specialization and fulfillment of requirements for national certification, state licensure, and state teacher certification.

Professionals in the field work in many settings such as schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing care facilities, industry, government health facilities, research laboratories, and private practice. Although regulations differ, most states require licensure for all employment settings except in the public schools or federal agencies. In addition to practicing directly with persons having disorders, professionals may pursue research, teach, or enter into administration of programs and agencies in the field.

Students in our program will take required academic, professional, and clinical coursework during their first 5 semesters at FSU. During their first year, students will gain clinical practicum experience in the FSU Speech and Hearing Clinic with clients. Students will begin their community practicum in the Fall and Spring semester of their second year. The final summer semester is a full-time internship where the student can choose their placement from a large variety of clinical sites located throughout the United States. Students generally complete their internship outside of the Tallahassee community.

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Program's Courses

Academic courses (40 credits)

SPA 6231r: Seminar in Neuropathologies: Aphasia

SPA 5204: Articulation and Phonological Disorders

SPA 5401: Communication Intervention: Infants and Preschoolers

SPA 5462: Developmental Communication Disorders: School Age Issues

SPA 5254: Acquired Neurolinguistic and Cognitive Disorders

SPA 5565: Seminar in Dysphagia

SPA5646: Communication for Persons Deaf and Hard of Hearing

SPA 6930r: Seminars in Special Topics: Multicultural Issues

SPA 5225: Fluency Disorders

SPA 5559: Augmentative Communication Systems

SPA 5230: Motor Speech Disorders

SPA 5554: Counseling in Speech-Language Pathology

SPA 5432: Autism and Severe Communicative Disabilities

SPA 5211: Voice Disorders

Clinical/Professional courses (5 credits)

SPA 5055: Professionals tools I, II, III

SPA 5553: Seminar in Clinical Differential Diagnosis

Clinical Practicum Courses (16 credits)

SPA 5941: Beginning Speech-Language Pathology Practicum

SPA 5505: Advanced Clinical Practicum

SPA 5526L: Laboratory in Child Speech-Language Pathology Diagnostics

SPA 5528L: Laboratory in Adult Speech-Language Pathology Diagnostics

SPA 5305L: Measurement and Management of Impaired Hearing

SPA 5942: Community Clinical Practicum

SPA 5944: Speech-Language Pathology Internship

Admissions

NEW for the Fall 2022 Admissions CycleFSU is waiving the GRE requirement for most programs. This includes the Master’s in Communication Science & Disorders program. Students may submit scores with their application but it is not required. There will be no penalty for not submitting scores and no extra credit will be given should scores be submitted.

Eligibility Requirements

Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. The following are minimum requirements:

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college/university.
• An upper division cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Your upper division GPA is comprised of the grades of the courses you take in the semester where you complete your 60 th credit hour and forward. A GPA calculator can help you determine your upper division GPA. You do not need to send us your calculated GPA.
• Prerequisite coursework in Communication Science and Disorders.
  • For information about prerequisite courses, see information about the Bridge Program. Please note that admission to the Bridge Program or any other Prerequisite Program does not guarantee admission to the Graduate Program in Communication Science and Disorders.

  Master’s Program Admissions Process

  Note: Applicants may only apply to one graduate program in the School of Communication Science and Disorders per academic year.

  Admission to the master’s program is contingent upon meeting the Florida State University policy on admission for graduate study. Academic standards, residence, transfer credits, and time limits are in accordance with regulations of the university. We admit students to our graduate program for fall semester only.

  Deadline: January 15. Admissions decisions will be sent via email to the email address included in your application by the end of March.

  ATTN: We will no longer be accepting applications through CSDCAS starting with the 2019-2020 application cycle. All applications must be submitted through FSU’s Graduate Application Portal.

  All application materials including transcripts, test scores, and supporting documents must be received by Florida State University by the application deadline. We cannot guarantee your application will be reviewed if we do not have all documents and test scores.

  1. Apply online through Graduate Application Portal.
  2. Official transcripts from every university, college, or institution you have attended must be sent to the following address:
     

  School of Communication Science & Disorders

  ATTN: Jennifer Kekelis

  201 W Bloxham St

  Tallahassee, FL 32306-1200

  • International applicants: Degrees from foreign institutions must have an appropriate evaluation service complete an evaluation, which should then be sent to the School. A list of acceptable services can be found here. All academic records that are not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae
  • Supplemental application with short-response questions in lieu of a Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation (academic references from your instructors and/or professors are preferred but references may be professional)
    • Names and addresses of your recommenders should be entered into the appropriate section of the University Application. You should have already contacted your recommenders about writing letters on your behalf. Each of your recommendation providers must fill out an online form and upload a copy of the recommendation letter to the online application. Do NOT send letters to the School or agree to relay your own letters of recommendation.
    • Official GRE scores
      • Recommended minimum scores: Verbal—150, Quantitative—150, Writing—4.0.
      • Test scores must be from within 5 years of the time of application.
      • Recommended minimum scores: Internet-based—80, Paper-based—550.
      • Test scores must be from within 5 years of the time of application.