A Cal U student sitting outside of the dorms at Cal U.A Cal U student sitting outside of the dorms at Cal U.

Communication Disorders: Curriculum

As a student in this program, you will move through it as a cohort. Each cohort completes an identical core of required courses that are critical to successful functioning as a speech-language pathologist (SLP).

In addition to those courses, each cohort completes a unique combination of additional courses, guaranteeing that there are SLPs throughout the nation to provide the many areas of specialized service needed by very diverse patient populations. You must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average while in the program. If you fail to maintain a 3.0 GPA, you will not be permitted to complete the candidacy interview or register for an externship placement. Failure to reacquire a 3.0 during the single probationary semester may result in dismissal from the program.

Get a description of each of Cal U's communication disorders courses from our Course Catalog.

Below is a recommended framework of courses for completing the degree.

Applicants without a degree in Communication Disorders will need to complete a minimum of 36 undergraduate credits in Communication Disorders prior to being considered for graduate admission.  Twenty-one of these prerequisites must cover the following areas of instruction:

  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Articulation/Phonology
  • Intro to Audiology
  • Intro to Communication Disorders
  • Phonetics
  • Speech and Language Development
  • Speech Science

Master of Science in Communication Disorders: 46 Credits

First Term: Fall

CodeCourseCredits
CMD 701Language Disorders in Adults3
CMD 702Language Disorders in Children3
CMD 708Neurology3
CMD 711, CMD 713 or CMD 714Clinical Practicum in Various Settings or1-3
CMD 712Clinical Practicum in University Clinic1-2

Second Term: Spring

CodeCourseCredits
CMD 705Voice Disorders3
CMD 707Articulation and Phonology3
CMD 711, CMD 713 or CMD 714Clinical Practicum in Various Settings1-3
CMD 712Clinical Practicum in University Clinic1-2

Third Term: Summer

CodeCourseCredits
CMD 703Fluency Disorders3
CMD 732Counseling the Communicatively Disabled3
CMD 785Seminar3
CMD 713Clinical Practicum in Diagnostic Setting1-2
CMD 715/716Clinical Practicum at Externship Site (Available to advanced students only)1-2

Fourth Term: Fall

CodeCourseCredits
CMD 600Research and Professional Issues3
CMD 766Traumatic Brain Injury3
CMD 772Augmentative Communication3
CMD 711, CMD 713 or CMD 714Clinical Practicum in Various Settings1-3
CMD 712Clinical Practicum in University Clinic1-2
CMD 715/716Clinical Externship (Available to all students in good standing)1-2

Fifth Term: Spring

CodeCourseCredits
CMD 718Advanced Audiology for the SLP3
CMD 764Instrumentation in SLP3
CMD 711, CMD 713 or CMD 714Clinical Practicum in Various Settings1-3
CMD 712Clinical Practicum in University Clinic1-2
CMD 715/716Clinical Externship (Available to all students in good standing)1-2