Communication Science and Disorders
College of Health and Human Services
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The fields of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology are concerned with disorders of communication, speech, language, swallowing, and hearing. A Speech-Language Pathologist is trained to diagnose and treat communication, language, speech and swallowing disorders. An Audiologist is trained to identify impairments and dysfunction of auditory, balance, and other related systems.
The Department offers a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) Program, a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, a Second Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and a Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. The SLPA Program meets the State of California’s registration and licensing requirements for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants. The Bachelor’s degrees provide background in theoretical and clinical areas necessary to apply for graduate study in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. The Master's degree provides professional training for a career in Speech-Language Pathology.
Employment as a Speech-Language Pathologist in California requires both a Master's degree and a credential or license. Completion of the Master's degree provides the training necessary for students to qualify for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology, California State License as a Speech-Language Pathologist and the Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential for working as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the California public schools. The Department also prepares students to apply for the Special Class Authorization, an extension of the Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential, required to teach a classroom of language-disordered children in California (Other experiences and exams are also required; these will be described below under "Additional Information.").
A Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders can lead to other careers in health- and education-related fields. The broad, yet challenging, nature of the Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders prepares students for employment requiring a background in human development, communication, health, and education. Graduates have pursued work in the fields of special education, counseling, and rehabilitation, as well as careers in the health insurance industry, disability law, career advising, and government health programs.
Special Features
- The Bachelor’s degree program in Communication Sciences and Disorders is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
- Graduate students in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders participate in supervised clinical practica through the campus-based Maryjane Rees Language, Speech, and Hearing Center.
- Graduate practica in Speech-Language Pathology include three semesters of on-campus clinic followed by an internship in the public schools, an internship in local hospitals or other medical placements, and an option to enroll in further internships in private practice, for special class authorization, or other agencies. Upon completion of the Master's degree, students will have acquired a variety of supervised clinical experiences totaling a minimum of 400 clock hours.
- The Master’s degree program in Speech-Language Pathology is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
- The Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential with Special Class Authorization is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM
A student must have a 2.5 GPA in the major in order to graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. To achieve this GPA, students may repeat up to a maximum of 16 units of coursework in the major in courses for which grades of C- or below were earned, contingent upon their eligibility to do so under the campus policy on repeating courses. Repeated course grades will either be forgiven or averaged with the new grade according to the campus policy on repeating courses. Students must complete the major prerequisites before beginning courses in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.
Undergraduate courses are designed for students to begin in the fall semester and progress in a proscribed sequence.
Requirements - Bachelor of Science Degree
Units required for Communication Sciences and Disorders Undergraduate Major: 54-57
Minimum total units required for BS: 120
It is strongly recommended that students:
- Take a course in physics and/or chemistry as some programs offering the Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology will require it.
- Finish all Undergraduate General Education units before beginning major coursework.
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.
A. Required Major Prerequisite Courses (12 units)
(3) |
A course in Human Development throughout the lifespan such as CHDV 30 |
(3) |
Introductory course in Statistics such as STAT 1 or SWRK 110 or PSYC 101 or SOC 101 |
(3) |
A course in Introduction to Psychology such as PSYC 2 |
(3) |
One course in sign language such as DEAF 51 |
B. Required Upper Division Courses (42-45 units)*
Semester 1, Fall (10-11 units major coursework)
(4) |
Phonetic Sciences (Instructor permission. Corequisite: CSAD 111) |
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(3) |
Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism (CHDV 30; PSYC 2; STAT 1. Corequisite: CSAD 110) |
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(3) |
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(1) |
Supervised Field Observations (Taken once in either Fall or Spring of Junior Year, CHDV 30; DEAF 51; PSYC 2; STAT 1) |
Semester 2, Spring (9-10 units major coursework)
(3) |
Language Disorders Across the Life Span (CHDV 30; CSAD 112; DEAF 51; PSYC 2; STAT 1) |
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(3) |
Speech Sound Development and Disorders in Children: Aspects of Articulation and Phonology (CHDV 30; CSAD 110; DEAF 51; PSYC 2; STAT 1) |
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(3) |
Audiology and Hearing Testing (CHDV 30; PSYC 2; STAT 1; CSAD 110; CSAD 111) |
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(1) |
Supervised Field Observations (CHDV 30; DEAF 51; PSYC 2; STAT 1) |
Semester 3, Fall (11 units major coursework)
(3) |
Voice and Fluency (CHDV 30; CSAD 110; CSAD 111; DEAF 51; PSYC 2; STAT 1) |
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(2) |
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(3) |
Introduction to Clinical Issues and Methods (CSAD 110; CSAD 111; CSAD 112; CSAD 125; CSAD 126; CSAD 130; CSAD 145) |
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(3) |
Semester 4, Spring (12-15 units major coursework)
(3) |
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(3) |
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(3) |
Communication Disorders in Multicultural Populations (CHDV 30; CSAD 110; CSAD 125; CSAD 126; DEAF 51; PSYC 2; STAT 1) |
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(3) |
Introduction to Clinical Issues and Methods (CSAD 110; CSAD 111; CSAD 112; CSAD 125; CSAD 126; CSAD 130; CSAD 145) |
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(3) |
Research in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology (Senior Status, CSAD 110; CSAD 111; CSAD 112; CSAD 125; CSAD 126; CSAD 130; CSAD 145) |
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CSAD 146 * Required for students who plan to apply to Sacramento State for the Master’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Recommended for students who plan to apply to graduate programs at other universities. Optional for students who do not plan to attend graduate school. Note: Students must submit a signed record of all observation hours and supervised clinical clock hours to the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department. Students should retain a second copy for their personal records. |
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Prior to enrolling in CSAD 146, students must fulfill the following requirements:
- Pass the Speech, Language and Hearing Screening administered by the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department.
- Pass/complete the Sacramento State undergraduate writing requirement as delineated in the University Policy Manual posted on the campus website.
- 3.2 GPA within the major (CSAD) with no CSAD courses below a grade of "C."
- Proof of negative tuberculin (PPD) test and verification of measles, rubella, and hepatitis B immunizations.
- Completion of a Level 1 criminal background screening. Screenings must be conducted by the department-sanctioned agency. Refer to Department webpage for current agency instructions. Background checks performed by other agencies are not accepted.
GRADUATE PROGRAM
Units required for the MA: 52-60 units
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.
In order to apply:
- Students must have an undergraduate degree (or its equivalent) in Speech-Language Pathology or its approved equivalent.
- Students must understand that admission preference is given to students whose undergraduate curriculum is equivalent to Sacramento State’s Communication Sciences and Disorders Undergraduate Curriculum.
- Students must have completed the required major prerequisite coursework as delineated in the Undergraduate Program Catalog description for Communication Sciences and Disorders at Sacramento State before beginning graduate-level coursework in Speech-Language Pathology [Pre-requisites: CHDV 30, PSYC 2, Statistics, DEAF 51, or their equivalents].
- Students must have an overall GPA of 2.75 and a 3.00 GPA in the major.
- Domestic applicants with foreign documents and international students (F-1 or J-1 visa applicants) must consult the Office of Graduate Studies and Global Education/International Admissions Department for specific application instructions. These students must also submit TOEFL scores. Consult the Department website for department-specific TOEFL scores.
- Students must consult the Department website for current admission requirements and procedures.
Course Sequence
Graduate courses are designed for students to begin in the fall semester and progress in a proscribed sequence. Students are admitted into the program in two cohorts. The first cohort (Fall Clinical Practica Cohort) begins clinical practica and coursework in the fall semester and can expect to graduate in a minimum of 4 semesters. The second cohort (Spring Clinical Practica Cohort) begins coursework in the fall semester and begins clinical practica in the spring semester. This group can expect to graduate in a minimum of 5 semesters.
Units required for Communication Sciences and Disorders Graduate Program: 52-60 units
Fall Clinical Practica Cohort
Semester 1, Fall (14 units)
(3) |
Motor Speech Disorders |
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(3) |
Advanced Seminar in Child Language Disorders (CSAD 125) |
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(2) |
Methods: Speech Disorders I (CSAD 125, CSAD 126, CSAD 143, CSAD 145, CSAD 146, CSAD 148; Corequisite: CSAD 229A) |
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(2) |
Practice: Speech Disorders I (Instructor permission. Corequisite: CSAD 228A) |
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(1) |
Practice: Hearing Screenings (CSAD 130 or Instructor permission) |
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(1) |
Methods: Language Disorders I (Admission to Graduate Program. Corequisite: CSAD 243A) |
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(2) |
Practice: Language Disorders I (Instructor permission. Corequisite: CSAD 242A) |
Semester 2, Spring (14 units)
(2) |
AAC and Assistive Technologies |
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(3) |
Neurogenic Language Disorders |
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(3) |
Curriculum in Relation to Language - Learning Disabilities in School-Age Children (Instructor Permission) |
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(1) |
Methods: Speech Disorders II (CSAD 123; CSAD 127; CSAD 228A, Instructor permission. Corequisite: CSAD 229B) |
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(2) |
Practice: Speech Disorders II (Instructor permission. Corequisite: CSAD 228B) |
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(1) |
Methods: Language Disorders II (CSAD 223, CSAD 242A, Instructor permission. Corequisite: CSAD 243B) |
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(2) |
Practice: Language Disorders II (Instructor permission. Corequisite: CSAD 242B) |
Semester 3, Fall (14-16 units)
(3) |
Counseling Techniques for Speech Pathologists and Audiologists |
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(3) |
Dysphagia and the Medical Setting (CSAD 218; CSAD 221, Instructor permission) |
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(1) |
Methods: Speech Disorders III (CSAD 218, CSAD 228B; CSAD 221 may be taken concurrently. Corequisite CSAD 229C) |
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(2) |
Practice: Speech Disorders III (Instructor permission. Corequisite: CSAD 228C) |
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(1) |
Methods: Language Disorders III (CSAD 218, CSAD 242B; CSAD 221 may be taken concurrently. Corequisite: CSAD 243C) |
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(2) |
Practice: Language Disorders III (CSAD 243B Instructor permission. Corequisite: CSAD 242C) |
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(1) |
Methods: Speech Language Assessment (CSAD 147, CSAD 228B, CSAD 242B, Instructor permission. Corequisite: CSAD 245) |
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(1) |
Practice: Speech Language Assessment (Instructor permission, Corequisite: CSAD 244) |
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(0-2) |
Culminating Experience: (Advanced to Candidacy)
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Semester 4, Spring (10-12 units)
(2) |
Speech/Language Internships Seminar (All previous semester’s clinical practica and coursework must be completed. Corequisite: 8 units of CSAD 295B and CSAD 295C or CSAD 295D) |
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(4) |
Internship: Speech-Language and Hearing Services in Schools (SLHS) (All previous semester’s clinical practica and coursework must be completed, achievement of a passing score on the CBEST. Corequisite: CSAD 250) |
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(4) |
Internship: Speech-Language Pathology in a Medical Setting (All previous semester’s clinical practica and coursework must be completed, achievement of a passing score on the CBEST. Corequisite: CSAD 250) |
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(2) |
Culminating Experience: (Advanced to Candidacy)
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Semester 5, Fall (4 units)
If a student elects to pursue an additional internship experience, then the student may enroll in one or more of the following experiences:
(4) |
Internship: Speech-Language Pathology in Private Practice (CSAD 250; All previous semester’s clinical practica and coursework must be completed, achievement of a passing score on the CBEST) . |
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(4) |
Internship: Special Class Authorization eligibility (CSAD 250; all previous semester’s clinical practica and coursework must be completed, achievement of a passing score on the CBEST. |
Spring Clinical Practica Cohort
Semester 1, Fall (6 units)
(3) |
Motor Speech Disorders |
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(3) |
Advanced Seminar in Child Language Disorders (CSAD 125) |
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Semester 2, Spring (14 units)
(3) |
Neurogenic Language Disorders |
|
(3) |
Curriculum in Relation to Language - Learning Disabilities in School-Age Children |
|
(2) |
Methods: Speech Disorders I (CSAD 125; CSAD 126; CSAD 143; CSAD 145; CSAD 146; CSAD 148; Co-requisite: CSAD 229A) |
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(2) |
Practice: Speech Disorders I (Instructor permission. Corequisite: CSAD 228A) |
|
(1) |
Practice: Hearing Screenings (CSAD 130 or Instructor permission) |
|
(1) |
Methods: Language Disorders I (Admission to Graduate Program. Corequisite CSAD 243A ) |
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(2) |
Practice: Language Disorders I (Instructor permission. Corequisite: CSAD 242A) |
Semester 3, Fall (12 units)
(3) |
Counseling Techniques for Speech Pathologists and Audiologists |
|
(3) |
Dysphagia and the Medical Setting (CSAD 218; CSAD 221, Instructor permission) |
|
(1) |
Methods: Speech Disorders II (CSAD 123; CSAD 127; CSAD 228A Instructor permission. Corequisite: CSAD 229B) |
|
(2) |
Practice: Speech Disorders II (Instructor permission. Corequisite: CSAD 228B) |
|
(1) |
Methods: Language Disorders II (CSAD 223; CSAD 242A Instructor permission. Corequisite: CSAD 243B) |
|
(2) |
Practice: Language Disorders II (CSAD 242B, Instructor permission. Corequisite: CSAD 242C) |
Semester 4, Spring (10-12 units)
(2) |
AAC and Assistive Technologies |
|
(1) |
Methods: Speech Disorders III (CSAD 218, CSAD 228B ; CSAD 221 may be taken concurrently. Co-requisite CSAD 229C) |
|
(2) |
Practice: Speech Disorders III (Instructor permission. Corequisite: CSAD 228C) |
|
(1) |
Methods: Language Disorders III (CSAD 218, CSAD 242B, CSAD 221 may be taken concurrently. Corequisite: CSAD 243C) |
|
(2) |
Practice: Language Disorders III (CSAD 243B, Instructor permission. Corequisite: CSAD 242C) |
|
(1) |
Methods: Speech Language Assessment (CSAD 147, CSAD 228B; CSAD 242B, Instructor permission. Corequisite: CSAD 245) |
|
(1) |
Practice: Speech Language Assessment (Instructor permission. Corequisite: CSAD 244) |
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(0-2) |
Culminating Experience: (Advanced to Candidacy)
|
Semester 5, Fall (10-12 units)
(2) |
Speech/Language Internships Seminar (All previous semester’s clinical practica and coursework must be completed. Corequisite: 8 units of CSAD 295B and CSAD 295C or CSAD 295D) |
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(4) |
Internship: Speech-Language and Hearing Services in Schools (SLHS) (All previous semester’s clinical practica and coursework must be completed, achievement of a passing score on the CBEST. Corequisite: CSAD 250) |
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(4) |
Internship: Speech-Language Pathology in a Medical Setting (All previous semester’s clinical practica and coursework must be completed, achievement of a passing score on the CBEST. Corequisite: CSAD 250) |
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(0-2) |
Culminating Experience: (Advanced to Candidacy)
|
**Minimum of 8 units of internships required for the Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
Semester 6, Spring (4 units)
If a student elects to pursue an additional internship experience, then the student may enroll in one or more of the following experiences:
(4) |
Internship: Speech-Language Pathology in Private Practice (CSAD 250; All previous semester’s clinical practica and coursework must be completed, achievement of a passing score on the CBEST). |
|
(4) |
Internship: Special Class Authorization eligibility (CSAD 250; all previous semester’s clinical practica and coursework must be completed, achievement of a passing score on the CBEST. |
Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program Policies and Procedures
1. A student must have a 3.0 GPA in the major in order to graduate with a Master of Science Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. To achieve this GPA, students may not earn a grade of less than a B in any major didactic course or a grade of B- in any clinical practicum. Repeated course grades will either be forgiven or averaged with the new grade according to the campus graduate policy on repeating courses. Students failing to maintain a GPA of 3.00 are automatically placed on academic probation. The student then has one semester to make up the grade point deficiency or s/he will not be allowed to continue the graduate program and will be dismissed. Any student who has failed any two clinical practicum courses will not be allowed to continue in the graduate program and will be dismissed.
2. Prior to enrolling in any Clinical Practica, students must fulfill the following criteria:
- a. Pass the Speech and Hearing Screening administered by the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department.
- b. Proof of negative tuberculin (PPD) test and verification of measles, rubella, and hepatitis B immunization series.
- c. Completion of a Level 1 criminal background screening. Screenings must be conducted by the department-sanctioned agency. Refer to Department webpage for current agency instructions. Background checks performed by other agencies are not accepted.
- d. Students must complete all clinical practica in the proscribed sequence. Students who have not completed a given semester’s clinical practica will not be allowed to progress into subsequent clinical practica including internships.
- e. Current certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Health Care Providers.
3. Students must meet clock-hour requirements for the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC), California License in Speech-Language Pathology and the California Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential with or without Special Class Authorization.
4. Internship requirements: Documentation of the following is required by the end of the second clinical semester-
- a. Current certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)for Health Care Providers.
- b. Complete Certificate of Clearance.
- c. Pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)
5. Students must furnish their own transportation to off-campus practicum sites.
6. Students must explore and complete additional internship requirements as delineated by each site.
7. Clock hours from CSAD 295, CSAD 295I, CSAD 295M, CSAD 295P and CSAD 295S may be counted for the CCC and California License in Speech-Language Pathology only if the on-site supervisors have their CCCs and California License in Speech-Language Pathology.
8. Students must complete 100 supervised, direct-client-contact practica hours over forty-five work days in CSAD 295I and in CSAD 295S.
9. Students must meet the clinical practicum requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) and the California License in Speech-Language Pathology at the time of graduation in order to receive the Master's Degree.
10. Students must submit a signed record of all observation hours and supervised clinical clock hours to the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Department. Students should retain multiple copies for their personal records.
11. Advancement to Candidacy: Students must file for Advancement to Candidacy per Office of Graduate Studies procedures as posted on their website.
Culminating Experience
a. A student working toward a master's degree may choose as a Culminating Experience either a Thesis CSAD 500T, Project CSAD 500P, or Comprehensive Examination CSAD 500C.
b. In order to enroll in CSAD 500T, CSAD 500P, or CSAD 500C a student must have been advanced to candidacy.
c. A student may not register for CSAD 500T unless the following conditions have been met:
- • The first and second readers judge that the first two chapters of the thesis or project (literature review and methodology) are sufficiently well-developed.
- • Her/his proposal has been approved by the Culminating Experience Committee no later than the 11th week of the second clinical semester. The proposal must include the first two chapters specified above.
- • Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval has been obtained. It is possible for this process to take up to a full academic year.
- • Written approval of the first reader has been accepted by the Department Chair.
d. No subjects may be recruited until the student has registered for CSAD 500T and has received Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval.
e. A student may not register for CSAD 500P until the following conditions have been met:
- • The first and second readers judge that her/his written proposal describing the project's significance, objectives, methodology, and conclusions or recommendations are sufficiently well-developed.
- • Her/his proposal has been approved by the Culminating Experience Committee no later than the 11th week of the second clinical semester. The proposal must include the first project description specified above.
- • Written approval of the first reader has been accepted by the Department Chair.
- • Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval obtained, if applicable. It is possible for this process to take up to a full academic year.
f. A student enrolled in CSAD 500T or CSAD 500P or may switch to the CSAD 500C Comprehensive Exam track with approval from the Culminating Experience Committee and submission of a Petition for Exception form. There is no reversal of this change.
Thesis CSAD 500T
• Definition: A thesis is an independent research study conducted by the student under the supervision of members of the faculty. A thesis must involve a research question or hypothesis, review of pertinent literature, and the collection and analysis of data. It is the student's responsibility to locate and recruit subjects and to collect the data, as well as to write the thesis. A thesis that includes the generation of original data is preferred; however, proposals based on file data or other secondary data sources will be considered.
• Supervision: A thesis is supervised by a committee of two or more faculty members in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. The "first reader" is the chair of the committee, and the student's primary advisor and editor. The "second reader" evaluates the thesis at the beginning, consults on the development of the manuscript as necessary, and must approve the final manuscript.
• Credit: A student enrolls in two units of CSAD 500T each semester he/she works on the thesis, up to a total of four units. If the thesis is not completed within two semesters the student may enroll in continuous enrollment (CSAD 599) if not otherwise actively enrolled for two additional semesters. Students are allowed a maximum of three semesters past the semester of first registering in 500T to complete their thesis for a maximum of four semesters total. Students who do not finish the thesis within the first semester of enrolling in 500T will receive a grade of "Report in Progress" (RP). If a student does not complete the thesis within the four total semesters, s/he will receive a No Credit (NC) grade for the original units and must enroll in 500C for the culminating experience.
Project (CSAD 500P)
• Definition: A project is a significant undertaking appropriate to the professional fields of Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology. It must evidence originality and independent thinking, appropriate form and organization, and a rationale. It must be described and summarized in a written document that includes the project's significance, objectives, methodology, and a conclusion or recommendation. The project can be, but is not limited to, a curriculum project that contributes to the fields by enhancing communication of the subject matter or a research project that contributes to the fields by adding to the professional knowledge base.
• Supervision: A project is supervised by a committee of two or more faculty members in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. The "first reader" is the chair of the committee, and the student's primary advisor and editor. The "second reader" evaluates the project at the beginning, consults on the development of the project as necessary, and must approve the final project.
• Credit: A student enrolls in two units of CSAD 500P each semester he/she works on the project, up to a total of four units. If the project is not completed within two semesters, the student may enroll in continuous enrollment CSAD 599 if not otherwise actively enrolled for two additional semesters. Students are allowed a maximum of three semesters past the semester of first registering in the 500T to complete their project for a maximum of four semesters total. Students who do not finish the project within the first semester of enrolling in 500P will receive a grade of "Report in Progress" (RP). If a student does not complete the thesis within the four total semesters, she/he will receive a No Credit (NC) grade for the original units and must enroll in 500C for the culminating experience.
Comprehensive Exam CSAD 500C
• Definition: Written exam comprised of eight questions. Examinees are given one-and-a-half hours to complete each question.
• Comprehensive Exams are scheduled once per semester at the discretion of the department.
• Upon completion and review by the examiners, each question is given a grade of “Outstanding”, “Pass", "Pass with conference" or "No-Pass."
-
1. "Pass" indicates a satisfactory completion of the question.
- 2. "Pass with conference" indicates a pass, but the examiner requires oral or written clarification of the answer from the student. This must be completed before the fourteenth week of the semester in which the exam is taken. Conferences are scheduled at the discretion of the examiner.
- 3. "No-Pass" indicates an unsatisfactory answer.
• The student may receive a “No-Pass” for up to two questions without retaking the entire exam. These “No-Pass” questions must be rewritten under the direction of the examiner.
• Question rewrites must be successfully completed with a grade of “Pass” before the fourteenth week of the semester in which the exam is taken.
• If any rewritten question is not passed, the student receives a grade of No Credit (NC) for CSAD 500C.
• If three or more questions of the exam receive a grade of “No-Pass”, the student receives a grade of No Credit (NC) for CSAD 500C.
• Student receiving a grade of No Credit (NC) for CSAD 500C must register again in CSAD 500C and retake the comprehensive exam in its entirety at the next scheduled administration.
• The same conditions for grading apply on a retaken comprehensive exam as on the first attemp. Students may take CSAD 500C no more than two times.
Additional Information
Program CompletionIf the Bachelor's Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders or its equivalent has been completed at another University, additional time may be needed to complete the undergraduate requirements not already met. If courses are waived at Sacramento State because they were taken at another University, the student must have an adequate number of graduate units at Sacramento State in the major to meet the MS degree requirements and ASHA graduate-level requirements.
Certificate of Clinical Competence
A Master of Science Degree from Sacramento State fulfills the academic and clinical requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC),
which is granted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
The student must complete a Clinical Fellowship (one year of paid professional experience
under supervision) and pass the appropriate PRAXIS exam before the certificate
is granted. The Certificate of Clinical Competence is required for most
employment positions, both in the public schools and in other settings.
Licensure
A Master of Science Degree from Sacramento State fulfills the academic and clinical requirements for the California License in Speech-Language Pathology. The license is required for employment
in settings other than schools or federal agencies. Students must complete
a Clinical Fellowship Year (one year of paid professional experience under supervision) and pass the appropriate
PRAXIS exam before the license is granted.
Credential
A Master of Science Degree from Sacramento State fulfills the academic and clinical requirements for the California Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential. This credential authorized the individual to work as an itinerant speech-language pathologist in the California public
schools. This requires a minimum of 200 clock hours of clinical practice
with minors. One hundred of these hours must be in a public school setting.
In addition to the credential, students may pursue the Special Class Authorization,
which is required to teach a special classroom of language disordered
children. This requires a minimum of 100 hours in a class for children
with severe language disorders.
Candidates must not have a criminal record that would preclude the issuance of a credential as determined by California State law. Candidates must pass the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST).
Career Possibilities (Please note that most of the career possibilities listed below require additional education beyond the baccalaureate degree.)
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) · Speech-Language Pathologist in medical, school and private practice settings · Speech-Language Pathologist with Special Class Authorization to teach a classroom of language-disordered children · Audiologist · Employment requiring a background in human development, communication, health, and education · Fields of audiology, special education, counseling, rehabilitation, the health insurance industry, disability law, career advising, hospital administration, school administration and government health programs.
Faculty
Ann Blanton, Darla Hagge, Robert Pieretti, Celeste Roseberry-Mckibbin, Heather Thompson
Robert Pieretti, Department Chair
David Gleason, Administrative Support Coordinator
Shasta Hall 172
(916) 278-6601
www.csus.edu/hhs/SPA