Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Admission Requirements

The applicant must meet the School of Graduate Studies’ current minimum general admission requirements as published in the graduate catalog.

  1. Graduate Record Examination—General Test.
  2. Overall undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 and a 3.00 in the courses required for an undergraduate major in Communication Sciences Disorders.
  3. Admittance to approved status typically requires an undergraduate major in Communication Sciences Disorders.
  4. Those admitted to Qualified Status must have at least 12 semester credits of undergraduate work in the field, but will be required to complete the coursework for the undergraduate major.
  5. Criteria used in admission decisions:
    1. Scores on the Graduate Record Examination General test;
    2. All grade point averages from previous undergraduate, post-baccalaureate and graduate studies;
    3. The extent and quality of previous clinical, research, and service activities; and
    4. Quality of speaking, writing, and interpersonal skills.
  6. Applicants should include documentation of their qualifications relative to the criteria above.
  7. Admissions for summer and fall enrollment and the award of financial aid will be based on applications completed by January 15.
  8. Satisfy the School of Graduate Studies’ English Language Proficiency requirements as published in the graduate catalog.

Degree Requirements

Students seeking the Master of Science degree at the University of North Dakota must satisfy all general requirements set forth by the School of Graduate Studies as well as particular requirements set forth by the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department.

Thesis Option:

  1. A minimum of 30 semester credits in a major field, including the credits granted for the thesis and the research leading to the thesis.
  2. At least one-half of the credits must be at or above the 500-level.
  3. A maximum of one-fourth of the credit hours required for the degree may be transferred from another institution.
  4. Required CSD Courses:
  5. CSD 525Introduction to Research in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology3
    CSD 530Audiology for SLPs1
    CSD 532Neurogenic Communication Disorders I3
    CSD 533Investigations in Child Language3
    CSD 534Advanced Speech Sound Disorders2
    CSD 536Stuttering Intervention2
    CSD 538Management of Phonatory Disorders3
    CSD 542Neurogenic Communication Disorders II3
    CSD 550Motor Speech Disorders2
    CSD 551Dysphagia2
    CSD 583Evaluation and Service Delivery3
    CSD 584Advanced Clinical Practicum1-16
    CSD 572Neurogenic Communication Disorders IV3
    Scholarly Tools
    PSYC 541Advanced Univariate Statistics3
    School Practicum
    CSD 585Practicum in the School Setting10
    Electives
    CSD 595Research Problems in Speech-Language Pathology-Audiology1-3
    CSD 597Special Problems in Communication Disorders1-3
    Thesis
    CSD 998Thesis4
    Total Credits 51-70

Non-Thesis Option:

  1. Thirty-two (32) credits including credits required for the major.
  2. A minimum of two credits of Independent Study.
  3. At least one-half of the credits must be at or above the 500-level.
  4. A maximum of one-fourth of the credit hours required for the degree may be transferred from another institution.
  5. Preparation of a written independent study approved by the faculty advisor.
  6. Satisfactory performance on a comprehensive final examination.
  7. Required CSD Courses:
  8. CSD 525Introduction to Research in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology3
    CSD 530Audiology for SLPs1
    CSD 532Neurogenic Communication Disorders I3
    CSD 533Investigations in Child Language3
    CSD 534Advanced Speech Sound Disorders2
    CSD 536Stuttering Intervention2
    CSD 538Management of Phonatory Disorders3
    CSD 542Neurogenic Communication Disorders II3
    CSD 550Motor Speech Disorders2
    CSD 551Dysphagia2
    CSD 583Evaluation and Service Delivery3
    CSD 584Advanced Clinical Practicum1-16
    CSD 572Neurogenic Communication Disorders IV3
    Scholarly Tools
    EFR 515Statistics I3
    School Practicum
    CSD 585Practicum in the School Setting10
    Electives
    CSD 595Research Problems in Speech-Language Pathology-Audiology1-3
    CSD 597Special Problems in Communication Disorders1-3
    Independent Study
    CSD 997Independent Study2
    Total Credits 49-68

Students wishing to qualify for employment in a school setting must complete requirements for a teaching credential as a graduate student. These include , School Program in CSD, and . Students must also take the Praxis I Teacher Certification Examination.

Graduate Students already having a teaching credential with some other major must take T&L 400 Methods and Materials and practicum in a school before being recommended for employment in a school.