University of Vermont

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

Master of Science (M.S.) in Communication Sciences and Disorders

The Master of Science degree program in Communication Sciences and Disorders is designed to provide in-depth knowledge and skills in the areas required for a career in speech-language pathology. This program of study provides students with the knowledge to pursue a satisfying and rewarding career in health care, medicine, research, or education.

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The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders includes the Eleanor M. Luse Center for Communication: Speech, Language, and Hearing. This is an active clinic providing speech-language and audiology services to the community. It also serves as a primary practicum site for students in their first year of study. The course of study provides students with the academic background and clinical opportunities required in preparation for their Clinical Fellowship and ultimately the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP).

Accreditation: The master's degree educational program in speech-language pathology at the University of Vermont has been re-accredited for the period 2012 - 2020 by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, MD, 20850; Phone: (800) 498-2071 or (301) 296-5700.

Frequently Asked Questions about the M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders Program.

Admission Requirements

  • Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
  • Satisfactory performance on the general Graduate Record Examination.
  • Prerequisite courses completed before entry into the program.
  • 25 Observation Hours completed before entry into the program.
  • Prospective students must complete two applications: The CSDCAS common application and UVM Graduate College application.

Click here for specific application instructions and prerequisite course requirements.

UVM Continuing Education offers two online post-baccalaureate programs, one for those who wish to become a Speech Language Pathology Assistant and one Prerequisite Track for those applying to the master's program.

Minimum Degree Requirements

All students are required to complete mandatory coursework in pursuit of the M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders. This coursework includes content areas met by the following CSD courses:

  • CSD 271 - Introduction to Audiology
  • CSD 272 - Hearing Rehabilitation
  • CSD 313 - Augmentative Communication
  • CSD 320 - Clinical Preparation and Management
  • CSD 321 - 326 Clinical Study
  • CSD 330 & 331 - Stuttering Assessment & Treatment
  • CSD 340 - Speech Sound Disorders
  • CSD 341 - Language Disorders
  • CSD 342 - Seminar in Language/Learning Disabilities
  • CSD 350 - Swallowing Disorders
  • CSD 352 - Voice Disorders
  • CSD 351 - Aphasia
  • CSD 353 - Adult Neuropathologies
  • CSD 360 - Research Methods in Communication Sciences and Disorders I
  • A thesis or a non-thesis sequence of courses in Systematic Reviews in Communication Sciences and Disorders (i.e., CSD 361 & CSD 363)

Comparable courses taken at the UG level through Continuing Education or at another institution may not need to be repeated and may make room for elective courses with faculty permission. Equivalent graduate level coursework, up to nine credits, may be waived if approved by the graduate program coordinator, reducing the total number of in-residence credits neeeded for completion of the program. Students are required to take one to three credits of Clinical Study, CSD 321-326, for each semester they are active in the program. See the course schedules for the total number of credits required for the non-thesis track versus thesis track.

Professional Outcomes

The following information has been reported to the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (CAA). Employment data are from students reporting information to the CSD Department on an individual basis. Graduation data are available through the UVM Office of the Registrar. Praxis test scores are reported by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

Program Completion Rate
Period # completed program within expected time frame # completed later than expected time frame # not completing % completing within expected time frame
2011-2012
14
2
0
88
2010-2011
15
0
4
79
2009-2010
8
1
1
80
3-Year Average
12
1
2
82
Praxis Examination Pass Rates
Period # taking exam Pass rate (%)
2011-2012
15
100
2010-2011
16
100
2009-2010
6
100
3-Year Average
12
100
Employment Rates of Graduates
Period Employment rate in profession
# of graduates % of graduates
2011-2012
16
100
2010-2011
15
100
2009-2010
9
100
3-Year Average
13
100

Outstanding Faculty

The Communication Sciences faculty are experts in the field and offer strong clinical instruction. Read profiles and find faculty contact info.

Clinical Hours

Read about clinical opportunities.

Graduate Program Distance Learning

Our pilot Distance Learning Graduate program was sponsored by a state improvement grant by the State Department of Education and was intended to increase the number of certified speech-language pathologists working in the Vermont public school system, especially in rural regions. The pilot program is now complete. A Distance Learning Master's program in Speech-Language Pathology is not currently being offered. Please continue to see our website for updates about future distance learning options.

Last modified February 26 2013 11:06 AM