4-Plus B.S./M.S. in Communicat...

4-Plus B.S./M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Prepare for a career helping people effectively communicate.

Earn your M.S. in communication sciences and disorders in as little as 5 years.

In the 4-Plus B.S./M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders program, you will gain the knowledge and practical skills to start a career in a helping profession, such as speech-language pathologist or audiologist, or to continue on to graduate school to earn your Ph.D. You will develop the ability to think critically, evaluate data, engage in scientific reasoning, and write and present professionally. Whether you want to work alongside an autistic child, help students learn to read in the classroom, or help individuals stay part of the conversation as they age, this degree will help you achieve your goals.

What you will do:

Understand how humans learn to communicate with each other
Apply scientific principles to the basics of diagnosing and treating speech, language, and hearing disorders
Participate in real-life clinical intervention in the on-campus Speech-Language-Hearing Center
Explore the connections among culture, language, and society
Participate in faculty research initiatives on topics such as fluency disorders, hearing loss, adult language disorders, cognitive disorders, and autism, among others
Discover the positive impact you can have on the lives of people who have difficulty communicating with others
Demonstrate knowledge of the etiology, characteristics, assessment, prevention, and intervention of communication disorders
Gain knowledge and skills of the science underlying human communication, including anatomy and physiology, speech science, phonetics, language science, and hearing science

This program will immerse you in an academically rigorous and challenging course of study. You will learn about the normal development and processes of speech, language, and hearing, as well as its disorders across the lifespan. In addition to the courses offered within the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, you will take courses in biological sciences, physical sciences, behavioral sciences, and mathematics.

The curriculum allows you the opportunity to study abroad or be part of the National Student Exchange. The second semester of year one or the first semester of year two or three are good choices for these pursuits. You must plan your semester away with your department advisor at least one year in advance to assure that you complete your major requirements in a timely manner.

Requirements and Additional Information

Students would be eligible to apply if they meet the following conditions:
Earned an cumulative GPA requirement of 3.5 in Worcester State University’s undergraduate Communication Sciences and Disorders major
Has completed a minimum of 60 credits
2 letters of recommendation, one must be from a department member
Include any transcripts from other accredited undergraduate programs
Completion of the graduate application essay
Completion of the Speech-Language Pathology Cover Sheet (included with the typical graduate Speech-Language Pathology program application)
Undergraduate students will maintain their conditional acceptance in the graduate SLP program so long as the student meets the following criteria:
Maintains an cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher,
Earns a B- or higher in 500-level courses (this requirement is aligned with the current graduate program policy requiring students to earn a B- or higher to be considered a passing grade)
Successfully completes the undergraduate degree in the time stated.
Upon completion of the B.S., the student will be matriculated into the M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology program.
Applications for this program will be accepted between February 1 and March 1 (unless March 1 falls on a weekend, in which case it will be moved to the next business day). These applications will be reviewed by the graduate admissions committee, separately from the cohort of traditional applications for the graduate Speech-Language Pathology program received before February 1. Decision letters will be sent out in April and require students to accept or deny admissions by May 15. Note: this 4-Plus program will accommodate undergraduate students that graduate in the fall or spring term, i.e., December or May, respectively.

Explore sample courses in this program.

CD-921 Language Disorders in Children

Prevention, etiology, characteristics, evaluation, and intervention in children’s language differences and disorders. Emphasis on spoken language with introduction to written language.

3 credits

CD-940 Evaluation and Diagnosis in Speech-Language Pathology

Intensive study of theory, psychometrics, concepts of assessment, and diagnosis. Focuses on scientific method. Includes planning, interpretation, report writing, and recommendations.

3 credits

CD-926 Reading and Writing Disabilities

Reading and writing development/disorders across the lifespan. Topics: integration of theories, research, practice, etiology, characteristics, prevention, assessment, and intervention.

2 credits

CD-925 Motor Speech Disorders

Study of the neurological basis, etiology, characteristics, prevention, evaluation, and intervention of motor speech disorders in children and adults.

3 credits

CD-920 Speech-Sound Disorders and Differences

Overview of the nature of articulation, phonology, and speech sound differences, development, and disorders across the lifespan and in a multicultural context. Principles and methods of prevention, assessment, and intervention, with a focus on articulation and phonology.

3 credits

CD-950 Cognitive Communication Disorders

Etiology and characteristics of cognition; prevention, evaluation, and intervention of acquired cognitive disorders related to communication sciences and disorders across the lifespan.

3 credits

CD-928 Aural Rehabilitation

Evaluation and management of hearing related communication difficulties across the lifespan, including amplification, speech perception and communication training, speech-language therapy, and counseling.

3 credits

CD-929 Dysphagia

Study of the anatomy/physiology of the swallowing mechanism, the etiology of its disorders, and the assessment and management of patients with various diseases/injuries causing these disorders.

3 credits

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