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Communication Sciences and Disorders - Master of Education
The M.Ed. in Communication Sciences and Disorders is a clinical degree. The focus of the master’s program is applying clinical research to develop clinical expertise, as well as understandings of client values, for providing best clinical services to (a) individuals with a communication disorder as well as (b) their families, teachers, and caregivers. The ultimate goal of the program is to prepare graduates for successful entry into the professional marketplace.
The M.Ed. program provides academic and clinical instruction for establishing the knowledge and skill base necessary for (a) completing the master’s degree, (b) becoming a credentialed speech-language pathologist, and (c) practicing speech-language pathology in an entry level position. That knowledge and skill base conforms to the Scope of Practice as defined by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA).
Prerequisites
Prior to beginning the M.Ed. program, students are expected to have completed the following undergraduate courses with a B- or better grade:
- At least one 3 credit biological science course with content related to human or animal sciences, such as biology, human anatomy and physiology, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, human genetics, veterinary science, etc.
- At least one 3 credit physical science course: chemistry or physics
- At least one 3 credit social/behavioral science course such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, or public health
- At least one 3 credit course is statistics
Core Requirements
Individuals with an undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders complete the master’s degree with 69 credit hours. Individuals with an undergraduate degree in something other than communication disorders complete the program in 82 credit hours.
Expected Core Courses include:
EDHS 7020 - Evidence Based Practice 2
EDHS 7040 - Cognitive Linguistic Development 3
EDHS 7060 - Disorders of Phonology and Articulation 3
EDHS 7080 - Disorders of Fluency 3
EDHS 7090 - Disorders of Voice 3
EDHS 7120 - Prevention Intervention Assessment 3
EDHS 7140 - Autism and Related Disorders 2
EDHS 7180 - Habilitative Audiology I 3
EDHS 7190 - Neuroanatomy & Neurophysiology of Communication, Swallowing, and Cognition 3
EDHS 8020 - Disorders of Communication: Augmentative and Alternate Systems 3
EDHS 8030 - Neurogenic Communication Disorders 3
EDHS 8090 - Disorders of Language I 3
EDHS 8100 - Disorders of Language II 3
EDHS 8120 - Disorders of Communication Based in Cognitive Dysfunction 3
EDHS 8130 - Dysphagia 3
EDHS 8150 - Clinical Seminars (2 credits)
EDHS 8170 - Clinical Externship (12 credits)
EDHS 8691 - Clinical Practicum: Communication Disorders (6 to 12 credits)
EDHS 8800 - Clinical Internship in Speech-Language Pathology (12 credits)
In addition, a student having an undergraduate degree in something other than communication disorders must complete each of the following courses:
EDHS 4020 - Clinical Phonetics (3 credits)
EDHS 4030 - Speech and Hearing Science (3 credits)
EDHS 4040 - Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanisms (3 credits)
EDHS 4050 - Introduction to Audiology (3 credits)
Culminating Experience for the Master’s Degree
The comprehensive examination is completed in two stages. First, a student must complete the Praxis Examination #5331 (Speech-Language Pathology).
The second component of the comprehensive examination is an oral presentation before faculty members concerning the details of a real-life clinical case that a student encounters in the course of the clinical internship.
Public Professional Licensure Disclosure
As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement, the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)).
Upon completion of the Master of Education in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the UVA School of Education and Human Development, graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state.
Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))
Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).
Communication Sciences and Disorders - Doctor of Philosophy
The Ph.D. for a career as a scientist and academician in speech language pathology is a research degree. The focus of the doctoral program is acquiring research skills to support independent investigation in clinical practice research. The ultimate goal of the program is to prepare graduates for successful careers as researchers, scientists, and scholars.
The Ph.D. program provides academic and apprenticeship instruction to establish the knowledge and skill base necessary for the doctoral student to (a) conduct independent research and scholarship, (b) establish a line of inquiry that leads to new knowledge within the discipline of speech language pathology and (c) acquire scholarship and instructional skills to support an academic career at an entry level position.
Consistent with University policies, the doctoral training program is governed through the Communication Disorders Program’s Doctoral Student Handbook.
Core Requirements
Individuals with a master’s degree in Communication Disorders complete the doctoral degree with a minimum of 78 credit hours beyond the master’s degree.
Expected core courses include:
EDLF 5330 - Quantitative Methods and Data Analysis I 3
EDLF 7300 - Foundations of Educational Research 3
EDLF 7404 - Qualitative Analysis 3
EDLF 7420 - Quantitative Methods II: General Linear Models 3
EDLF 8310 - Generalized Linear Models 3
EDLF 8350 - Multivariate Statistics 3
plus at least one of the following courses:
EDLF 7180 - Tests and Measurements 3
EDLF 7330 - Single-Subject Research 3
In addition, each student will register for EDHS 9998 - Doctoral Research Apprenticeship under the direction of their mentor(s) throughout the doctoral training program. Typically, students register for 3 credits each semester during their first two years of study and 6 credits each semester during their last two years of training. 12 hours of EDHS 9999 - Doctoral Dissertation are required for graduation.
Culminating Experience for the Doctoral Degree
After completing all coursework and successfully passing qualifying examinations, a student enters into candidacy for the doctoral degree during which the dissertation is undertaken. The doctoral dissertation is completed in three stages. First, a student must successfully prepare and defend a dissertation proposal. After the proposal meets with the approval of the dissertation committee, research data are collected and analyzed according to the approved plan. Finally, the dissertation is written, disseminated to the candidate’s dissertation committee, and orally defended in accordance with procedures defined in the School of Education and Human Development Dissertation Manual which can be found in the Resources section of the School of Educationand Human Development website.
