Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

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The Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders incorporates interdisciplinary and multicultural perspectives and integrates coursework, research and clinical practica. As an educational program rooted in the Jesuit tradition, it  challenges students to accept the responsibilities and rewards of life-long learning, leadership and service. The focus of this program is to provide a broad range of basic science courses and specialized offerings covering the evaluation and treatment of problems of articulation, language, voice, fluency, and neurophysiologic and structural disorders affecting speech, language and swallowing in culturally diverse populations across the lifespan. This degree program prepares speech-language pathologists for roles as competent clinical practitioners and for entry into doctoral programs.

The goals and objectives of the graduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders are as follows:

Program Goals:

• To foster an active learning environment that is rigorous in expectations of excellence from students, but also responsive to student needs;
• Engage students in supervised clinical practicum settings that are based in the community with culturally and linguistically diverse clients who exhibit a wide range of disorders and/or differences in communication and/or swallowing;
• To develop students’ ethical, professional, and culturally sensitive conduct in assessment and intervention as well as in interactions with caregivers of individuals with communication and/or swallowing impairments and other professionals;
• To be actively involved in scholarship through writing, presentations, and involvement of students in scholarly activities;
• To encourage continuous professional development and community service for the benefit of individuals with communication and swallowing impairments.

Program Objectives:

The graduate with a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Rockhurst University will use the knowledge and skills obtained in the program to:

• Develop a philosophy of practice that reflects professional, ethical, and culturally sensitive behavior as defined in cardinal documents of the ASHA.
• Apply knowledge of the principles of biological sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and the social/behavioral sciences.
• Demonstrate knowledge of basic human communication and swallowing processes, including their biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, linguistic and cultural foundations.
• Provide evidence-based prevention, assessment and intervention services to children and adults from diverse backgrounds across the range of etiologies served within the scope of practice of Speech-language Pathologists.
• Engage in professional development and scholarly activity to advance the science and knowledge base of the profession of speech-language pathology.
• Demonstrate knowledge of state and national certification, specialty recognition and other relevant professional credentials.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skill in oral and written communication with consumers, professionals and the general public.

Admission to the Program

The CSD Program accomodates multiple points of acceptance for interested students. For the Rockhurst undergraduate CSD major, these include Freshman Pre-Admission, the CSD Scholars Program, and regular acceptance during the final year of undergraduate coursework. Postbaccaulaureate students are promoted into the graduate program upon successful completion of the prerequisite coursework.

Pre-Admission

Exceptional students may be awarded a freshman pre-admission guarantee based on a combination of ACT or SAT scores and high school grades. Once admitted, students must fulfill specific requirements for maintaining Pre-Admission status. Students complete their application to the CSD graduate program prior to September 1 of their senior year.

CSD Graduate Scholars

Rockhurst undergraduate students with outstanding academic work may apply for advanced admission status through the CSD Graduate Scholars program. To apply for acceptance into the CSD Graduate Scholars program, students complete the application for admission by May 1 of their junior year. CSD Graduate Scholars must achieve and maintain a cumulative and major GPA of 3.40. Once admitted, students must fulfill specific requirements for maintaining CSD Graduate Scholar status.

Post-Baccalaureate Prep-Track

Rockhurst University offers a post-baccalaureate Prep-Track in Communication Sciences and Disorders which allows individuals who hold undergraduate degrees in disciplines other than CSD to complete required and related coursework  necessary for admission to a graduate program, whether at Rockhurst or at another institution. Information concerning the Prep-Track is contained in the section of this catalog describing the undergraduate Communication Sciences and Disorders program.

Admission to the CSD graduate program will be determined by a faculty committee. Admission is competitive and applicants are encouraged to apply early. Meeting the minimal requirements for entrance to the program described below, therefore, does not guarantee a place in the class.

Information concerning the program and an application for admission to the program may be obtained from:

Office of Graduate Admission
School of Graduate and Professional Studies
Rockhurst University
1100 Rockhurst Road
Kansas City, Missouri 64110-2561
(816) 501- 4097
800-842-6776
www.rockhurst.edu/admission/grad

Or you may contact the department at: www.rockhurst.edu/academic/csd

Requirements for Admission

The applicant to the Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders program must submit official undergraduate transcripts, official GRE records, three professional letters of recommendation (at least two of which much be from current or former instructors), and an essay as evidence of the following in order to be considered for admission:

1. An undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (or equivalent area) from an accredited college or university; or an undergraduate degree in another discipline plus coursework equivalent to the major field of concentration of the Rockhurst University undergraduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Undergraduate preparation should consist of at least 36 semester credit hours and reflect a well-integrated program of study including: a) biological/physical sciences and mathematics; b) the behavioral and/or social sciences, including normal aspects of human behavior and communication; and c) the nature, prevention, evaluation, and treatment of speech, language, hearing, and related disorders. Some coursework must address issues pertaining to normal and abnormal human development and behavior across the life span and to culturally diverse populations;
2. A minimum overall grade-point average of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) and a 3.00 or better in the undergraduate major are recommended;
3. Strong performance on the Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical components of the GRE;
4. Excellent oral and written communication; and
5. Strong personal commitment to advanced study and service in communication disorders.

As part of their undergraduate professional coursework, students must have completed the following coursework (or equivalent) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better and no less than a grade of “C” in each of the courses below (a grade of C- will not fulfill the requirement):

Language Development (CD 2605)
Anatomy & Physiology of Speech/Hearing Mechanisms (CD 3250)
Transcription Phonetics (CD 3260)
Neural Bases of Human Communication (CD 3350)
Introduction to Audiology (CD 3650)
Speech and Hearing Science (CD 4655)

Candidates must have completed the following prerequisite courses. Once a student has been accepted into the graduate program, he or she must maintain a 3.0 cumulative and semester GPA.

Basic Proficiencies:

English Composition I (EN 1110) and II (EN 1120)
Public Speaking (CT 2000 or CT 2040)
One non-remedial college-level Mathematics course and/or a course in Statistics.

Behavioral Sciences:

One course in the Social/Behavioral Sciences, such as Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology.

Biological Sciences:

One course in the Biological Sciences such as Human Anatomy and Physiology, Neuroanatomy, Neurophysiology, Genetics.

Physical Sciences:

One course in the Physical Sciences such as Physics or Chemistry.

Prerequisite and professional coursework requirements may change as a reflection of changes in American Speech and Hearing Association certification standards and accreditation. (See www.asha.org for certification and accreditation standards.)

Promotion in the Program

To progress toward the Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, a student must:

1. Maintain a 3.0 semester and cumulative grade point average for all courses within the graduate CSD curriculum, with no more than two courses in which grades of “C” are earned;
2. Demonstrate consistently professional behavior when interacting with faculty, students, and clients on campus and at clinical sites;
3. Show evidence of satisfactory progress toward meeting all academic and clinical requirements in compliance with the CAA of the ASHA;
4. Demonstrate consistent professional behavior when interacting with faculty, students, clinical supervisors, and consumers. These behaviors reflect the capacity to deliver a high standard of service and are as important as traditional academic standards for determining criteria for promotion and continuation in the program. Expected professional behaviors are described in detail in the Communications Sciences and Disorders Student Handbook.
5. Students should be aware that a criminal background check will be required. The presence of any criminal conviction on the student’s record may affect his/her eligibility for participating in clinical internships, becoming certified or licensed,
   and/or securing a job in the student’s field.

In accordance with the graduate programs at Rockhurst University, a letter grade of “F” in any course automatically results in dismissal from the program.

Programs

• Communication Sciences and Disorders, M.S.

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