Graduation Requirements:
The Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders consists of a minimum of 48 credit hours, including 37 credit hours of required coursework, a minimum of 4 credit hours of elective coursework, and 7 credit hours of clinical practicum experiences. The required coursework provides a broad and solid foundation in both the theoretical and applied aspects of the discipline of communication sciences and disorders. Elective coursework affords opportunities for more specialization or the pursuit of special interests. The clinical phase of the curriculum introduces students to the clinical, educational, and rehabilitation process. Supervised experiences in evaluation, treatment, prevention, and consultation with children and adults are provided. Clinical experiences will include weekly class discussions on topics that support the development of knowledge and skills important to successful clinical experiences and professional practice. Students complete 375 supervised clinical clock hours in a variety of clinical sites. Students participate in clinical experiences in a minimum of three different settings. The academic and clinical curricular sequence has been designed to provide continuity and progression of learning experiences. Coursework related to clinical populations will be a pre- or corequisite to clinical practice in that area.
Student progression through the program is documented with the Knowledge and Skills Acquisition (KASA) form that identifies (a) the knowledge and skills to be acquired during the program and (b) courses and/or practicum experiences identified for delivery of content or experiences for each area of knowledge and/or skill. The Basic Knowledge Exam will be administered during the first semester of the graduate program. This exam will provide evidence of student mastery of foundational knowledge attained in undergraduate coursework. Students not able to demonstrate mastery of each knowledge and/or skill will need to successfully complete remediation procedures. Before the degree is conferred, students must meet all standards outlined in the KASA.
The academic culmination of the program will be the culminating project that reflects integration of content across the curriculum. The project involves preparation of a systematic review research project, electronic portfolio, and comprehensive examination. Students who plan to pursue a doctoral degree will be encouraged to engage in a traditionally structured research project.
An outline summary of the CSD graduate program requirements follows:
Note(s):
The program has been structured so that academic and clinical requirements may be completed on either a full-time, 2-year program consisting of 5 consecutive semesters, or a 3-year program of 7 consecutive semesters. Students enrolled in the program work with clients in educational and medical/clinical facilities throughout the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. Students gain experiences with a wide variety of communication disorders, client populations, and age groups. Supervised experiences in evaluation and treatment with children and adults are provided for students by ASHA certified speech-language pathologists.
Rockhurst University’s Master of Science program in Communication Sciences and Disorders is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA).
Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for appropriate national and state certification and licensure examinations. The curriculum satisfies the academic and clinical requirements for ASHA certification and Missouri and Kansas professional licensure.
