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Graduate Record 2026-2027
Communication Sciences and Disorders, M.Ed.
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Return to: School of Education and Human Development: Degree Programs
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).
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Prerequisites
Prior to beginning the M.Ed. program, students must have completed the following undergraduate courses with a C- or better grade: - At least one 3 credit biological science course with content related to the study and characterization of living organisms and the investigation of the science behind living things. Broad areas include: anatomy, biology, cell and molecular biology, computational biology, ecology and evolution, environmental biology, forensic biology, genetics, marine biology, microbiology, molecular biosciences, natural science, neurobiology, neurology, physiology, and zoology.
- 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 in statistics
Program Requirements
Individuals can complete the master’s degree with 68 graduate credits if they have completed the four core preprofessional Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) courses prior to beginning graduate studies. Students who major in CSD at the bachelor’s level usually complete the four preprofessional core courses as part of fulfilling the requirements of the undergraduate CSD major. Students who do not major in CSD may elect to complete the four core preprofessional courses in addition to their non-CSD bachelor work. Individuals who did not major in CSD and/or have not completed the four preprofessional core courses complete the master’s degree in 81 credit hours. Total Required Credits: 68 or 81
Individuals who have completed four core preprofessional courses at an institution of higher education with a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA), with course grades at or above B-, prior to beginning graduate study complete the master’s degree with 68 credit hours. Individuals who have not completed the four core preprofessional courses prior to beginning graduate study complete the program with 81 credit hours. Required Preprofessional Core Courses
Individuals who have not completed the four preprofessional courses prior to beginning graduate study must complete each of the following courses. None of the four required preprofessional core courses can be used to fulfill the prerequisite undergraduate requirement for a 3-credit course in biology or the physical sciences: - 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)
Certification Requirements
Students must fulfill the American Speech Language Hearing Association requirements for certification, including training across the complete lifespan, in multiple service settings, and full scope of practice in speech language pathology, along with a minimum of 400 clock hours of clinical training under the supervision of a qualified speech language pathologist. Comprehensive Exam
The comprehensive examination is completed in two stages near the end of graduate studies. First, a student must complete the ETS Praxis Examination #5331 (Speech-Language Pathology). The second stage of comprehensive examination is an oral/written examination of clinical practice knowledge and skills conducted by program faculty. 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. Although California does not participate in SARA, it allows students to enroll in out-of-sate programs. Additional information is available on the NC-SARA website. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)). 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). |
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