Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Program Overview

Pursue an SLP Master's degree to begin a rewarding career as a speech-language pathologist in health care, medicine, research or education.

The M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders / Speech-Language Pathology provides the academic background and clinical opportunities required to prepare for clinical fellowship and the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP).

The Department includes the on-campus Eleanor M. Luse Center for Communication: Speech, Language, and Hearing, an active clinic providing speech-language pathology and audiology services that serves as a primary practicum site for students in the first year of the program.

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Online Pre-Master's Option

Online post-baccalaureate programs are available to complete prerequisites to apply to the master's program or become a speech-language pathologist assistant.

Professional Licensure

The University of Vermont seeks to offer transparency around comparable national standards for our programs leading to licensure. Licensure requirements by state.

Accreditation

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at the University of Vermont is accredited 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, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

Strategic Plan Executive Summary

View the Department’s Strategic Plan Executive Summary (PDF) 

Curriculum

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 5720 - Hearing Rehabilitation
• CSD 6430 - Augmentative Communication
• CSD 6200 - Clinical Preparation and Management
• CSD 6290 - School Based Issue for SLPs
• CSD 6210 - Clinical Study Fall 1st year
• CSD 6220 - Clinical Study Spring 1st year
• CSD 6230 - Clinical Study Summer 2nd year
• CSD 6240 - Clinical Study Fall 2nd year
• CSD 6250 - Clinical Study Spring 2nd year
• CSD 6260 - Clinical Study Winter terms (upon approval)
• CSD 6330 - Stuttering Assessment & Treatment
• CSD 6300 - Speech Sound Disorders
• CSD 6310 - Language Disorders
• CSD 6320 - Seminar in Language/Learning Disabilities
• CSD 6340 - Swallowing Disorders
• CSD 6460 - Voice Disorders
• CSD 6350 - Neurogenic Communication Disorders I - Aphasia & Motor Speech Disorders
• CSD 6450 - Neurogenic Communication Disorders II - Cognitive Communication Impairments (e.g. TBI, RHD, Dementia)
• CSD 6380 - Research Methods in Communication Sciences and Disorders I
• CSD 6381 & CSD 6385 - Systematic Reviews in Communication Sciences [In some cases, a thesis (CSD 6391) or a research project may be substituted for CSD 6381 & 6385]

Comparable courses taken at the undergraduate 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 needed 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.

• Course Sequence for Students Entering in Fall 2025
• Communication Sciences and Disorders Graduate Handbook (PDF)
• Communication Sciences and Disorders Clinic Manual (PDF)
• Communication Sciences and Disorders Graduate Portfolio Instructions (PDF)

Clinical Practicum

The clinical practicum provides students an opportunity to apply their knowledge while engaging in clinical training under the supervision of licensed speech-language pathologists. Students are assigned clinical practicum every semester. In the first year, students are assigned a placement in the Eleanor M. Luse Center. In subsequent semesters students are assigned to practica in diverse settings (e.g., hospitals, schools, long-term care facilities, preschools, home health agencies, etc).

• Communication Sciences and Disorders Clinic Forms (PDF)

Pre-Practicum Requirements: Speech-Language and Audiology

Background Checks: Criminal background checks are a part of becoming a speech-language pathologist in many settings. Although the Department does not require students to complete a background check prior to admission into the program, practicum placements and final employment and/or licensure in many locations typically require that applicants submit to a background check. Applicants are advised of potential barriers to participation in the program and to future employability within the profession as a result of problems revealed in a background check.

Practicum Clock Hour Requirements (to meet ASHA certification eligibility and UVM requirements)

All students will complete on-campus practicum placements in the first year prior to beginning off-campus placements. Clinical experiences in the Eleanor M. Luse Center may be required throughout the graduate program. For graduation, 400 clock hours are required, of which 25 can be clinical observation. The remaining 375 hours must be accrued through direct client contact. Learn more about clock hours and clinical requirements in the CSD Clinic Manual.

View the Admitted Student Checklist 

Deadlines

The application deadline is April 30.

Admissions

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required. If you have taken the GRE's and elect to submit your scores, please use GRE Code 3920.
• Prerequisite courses, including ASHA prerequisites, completed before entry into the program. View prerequisite courses (PDF).
• 25 Observation Hours completed before entry into the program.
• Three letters of recommendation from faculty or others who know your work.
• Personal statement. UVM is interested to learn about you as a person, a student, and a future professional in the field of Speech-Language Pathology. We are interested in your experiences and the qualities of your character that you would bring to our community, academics, and the profession. Below are several writing prompts to help us learn more about you. We ask that you are succinct as possible, but clear and detailed in your thinking and writing. We have limited the text boxes to ~250-word answers for each prompt.
  • Why do you want to become a speech-language pathologist?
  • Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. However, SLPs and their clients might not share similar values and beliefs. As a future clinician, what personal goals do you have to provide quality clinical care that is client centered and considers equity, justice, inclusion, and respect for differing viewpoints?
  • At the University of Vermont, we strive for a foundation of clinical practice that is evidence-based. Describe a research finding or an example of evidence-based practice you have read about and describe its importance in service provision as an SLP. Or, if you have been directly involved in research, describe your findings.
  • In training to become a speech-language pathologist, you will be working in a wide variety of practice settings, including hospitals, health care facilities, schools, and clinics. Describe the skills that have prepared you to succeed as a flexible and independent learner across different environments and with a variety of supervision types.
  • All students are unique and have the potential to bring their individual qualities and life experiences to our community. Please share information about yourself that has not been captured in this application already. How would your unique experiences or qualities add a unique contribution to the University of Vermont’s graduate program in speech-language pathology?
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for non-US residents who did not receive their undergraduate degree from an institution in which English is the language of instruction. UVM TOEFL code is C122. Please know the minimum score for the program is 100.
• Prospective students must complete the CSDCAS common application.

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

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Vermont is actively working to be inclusive and implement fair and equitable treatment during the graduate application process. We are aware that bias and other forms of unfair treatment have historically put some students, especially students of color, at a disadvantage with regard to standardized testing (GRE) and grade point average (GPA). In response, we are committed to a holistic process of review to consider the entire profile of every applicant.

Outcomes

Student Outcome Data

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

* All data updated based on all available ETS PRAXIS records retrieved on 07/31/2024.

Costs and Funding

To obtain current information for financial aid, tuition, and fees, refer to Student Financial Services. If you have questions about whether you are an in-state or out-of-state resident, refer to the Registrar's Residency Policy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the program?

The program is designed to take two years to complete. In addition to the four academic semesters, you will be required to complete a clinical placement in the summer between the two academic years. After you have received your master's degree and passed the national Praxis examination, you will then need to complete your Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY), which is a nine-month full-time placement, in order to receive your Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

How many applicants are there annually? What is the average class size?

The number of applicants for the CSD graduate program varies each year, but the target class size is approximately 18 students.

Are GRE scores required? Should I submit my GREs?

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required. If you have taken the GRE's and elect to submit your scores, please use GRE Code 3920. These scores will be considered “extra information” and will not be used to rank candidates.

Do I need to have all of the prerequisite courses completed prior to applying?

All prerequisite courses or equivalents must be completed prior to the program start date. You should have no more than four prerequisite courses remaining for the spring and summer semesters when you apply. If you have any concerns regarding whether a course meets one of the requirements, you may send a copy of the syllabus (preferred) or catalog description to cnhsgrad@uvm.edu. UVM Continuing Education offers all of the prerequisites through the Communication Sciences and Disorders Pre-Masters Track.

What is the minimum GPA that I need to be considered for admission to the program? May I retake courses to obtain a better grade?

All completed and submitted applications will be reviewed. Applications with GPAs of 3.0 and higher will be given preference in the final admissions rankings. As a reference, the average GPA of students accepted into the program is ~3.5. Applicants are welcome to retake classes to obtain a better grade if they would like to do so, the higher grade is considered.

Are observation hours required?

According to ASHA guidelines, applicants must complete and accurately document 25 observation hours prior to the graduate program start date. Hours should be documented using the forms below:

• Observation Form: Audiology Observation Log (PDF)
• Observation Form: Speech/Language Observation Log (PDF)

Is an interview required for admission?

There is no interview requirement for the program.