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Communication Disorders Program Information and Admission Requirements

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Advising

In consultation with an advisor, the graduate student will develop a program of study/degree audit after acceptance into the degree program. This program will be approved by the department and the Office of Graduate Studies and Research. The program of study requires a minimum of 43 semester hours of course work to be selected with the advisor's approval. In some cases the graduate committee may require additional hours in Communication Disorders or in related areas if a student has a significant weakness in a specific area. A student may elect to take more than a minimum 43 hours. In special cases, alternate courses may be substituted for required courses, with the approval of the Communication Disorders faculty.

Admission Requirements

A student desiring to pursue the Master's Degree in the area of Speech/Language Pathology must have completed an undergraduate degree or equivalent from an accredited institution. If the degree was not comparable to that offered at the University of Nebraska at Kearney or if deficiencies exist, the student must take those undergraduate courses deemed necessary by the Communication Disorders faculty to make up the deficiencies. An applicant who has obtained a Bachelor's Degree in some other area will be required to take those undergraduate courses in Speech/Language Pathology and possibly in related areas necessary to complete the equivalent requirements for the undergraduate major. Applications are accepted for the fall term only and are due by February 1st.

Admission decisions are based on:

  1. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores,
  2. Undergraduate overall grade point average,
  3. Undergraduate Communication Disorders major grade point average,
  4. Graduate grade point average,
  5. Letters of recommendation, and
  6. Written communication skills on a formal application to the department.
Comprehensive Exams or Thesis Options

In addition to successful completion of all required course work, students must pass a comprehensive exam. Students who complete a thesis do not write comprehensive exams. Students can register for up to six hours of thesis for completion of the degree. Thesis credit hours can be counted toward the requirement of 43 hours of course work as electives credit.

Professional Certification

Enrollment in CDIS 893P, Internship (Schools), 10 hours, and enrollment in CDIS 894P, Internship (Clinical), 6 hours, enables students to meet American Speech-Language- Hearing Association (ASHA) certification requirements, Nebraska licensure requirements, and Nebraska teacher certification requirements. Such certification applications include both academic and clinical requirements. Additional course work may be added to a program of study to meet teacher certification requirements.

Program Description

The Communication Disorders program is designed to prepare Speech/Language Pathologists for Nebraska teacher certification and state licensure, and certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The program prepares graduates to work in public schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, federal and state institutions. It also prepares students to apply for advanced degree programs in Speech/Language Pathology, Audiology, Speech and Hearing Sciences, and related areas. Additional professional opportunities include private practice, research, university teaching, and clinic supervision and administration.

19 Jun 2008

gradcat@unk.edu