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Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders College of Health & Human Services

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Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Overview

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSAD) at Sacramento State offers the Master of Science (M.S.) in Communication Sciences and Disorders. The CSAD M.S. courses are designed for students to begin in the fall semester and progress in a proscribed sequence. Students are admitted into the program in two cohorts. The first cohort (Fall Clinical Practica Cohort) begins clinical practica and coursework in the fall semester and can expect to graduate in a minimum of 4 semesters. The second cohort (Spring Clinical Practica Cohort) begins coursework in the fall semester and begins clinical practica in the spring semester. This group can expect to graduate in a minimum of 5 semesters.

Both cohorts complete three (3) semesters of clinical practica in the on-campus Maryjane Rees Center and one (1) or more semesters in a minimum of two (2) off-campus internship placements.

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Sacramento State offers assessment and therapeutic services to the Sacramento community and surrounding areas through the Maryjane Rees Center. The Center provides assessment and treatment services for a wide variety of children and adults with communication disorders.

Providing innovative, evidence-based assessment and treatment methodologies to those seeking to improve their functional communication skills has been a primary focus of speech and language therapy offered in our Center. Graduate student clinicians under direct supervision of department faculty conduct all assessments and therapy.

Our faculty are nationally and internationally recognized as experts in our field. They possess both national certification and state licenses in speech-language pathology or audiology.

For a full description of the program and course sequence, please review the CSAD section of the Sac State catalog.

Accreditation

The Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Sacramento State emphasizes theory before practice. Students must understand that admission priority is given to students whose undergraduate curriculum is the most equivalent to Sacramento State’s Communication Sciences and Disorders Undergraduate Curriculum.

CAA Accreditation Logo

In addition to Sacramento State's full accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the Communication Sciences and Disorders Master of Science (M.S.) education program in Speech-Language Pathology at Sacramento State 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, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. Current period of 8 years beginning December 1, 2019 through November 30, 2027.

Holistic Admissions

The Sacramento State CSAD Graduate program uses a literature-based Holistic Review in Graduate Admissions.

What is a Holistic Review? It is a flexible, individualized way of assessing an applicant’s capabilities, by which balanced consideration is given to experiences, attributes, and metrics, AND when considered in combination with how the applicant might contribute value to the institution’s mission and goals. For additional information on Holistic Review, visit the AAMC webpage.

Using Holistic Admissions, CSAD assesses an applicant’s unique experiences alongside traditional measures of academic achievement. Holistic Admissions considers a broad range of factors reflecting the (a) applicant’s academic readiness, (b) potential contributions to the incoming cohort, department, and university, and (c) potential for success, academically and professionally.

Admission Requirements

All individuals applying for admission to the graduate program must have an overall GPA of 2.75 and a 3.00 GPA in the major, and must either:

  • have earned (or be "in progress" for final semester) a baccalaureate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university;

OR

  • have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in a major other than Communication Sciences and Disorders (or equivalent) and also have completed (or be "in progress" for final semester) a post-baccalaureate (i.e. preparatory) equivalent of a Communication Sciences and Disorders degree (i.e. leveling courses) certificate program.

Students must understand that admission priority is given to students whose undergraduate curriculum is the most equivalent to Sacramento State’s Communication Sciences and Disorders Undergraduate Curriculum coursework as delineated in the Undergraduate Program Catalog

  • CSAD 110 Physics of Sound and Phonetics
  • CSAD 111 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism
  • CSAD 112 Language Science and Development
  • CSAD 123 Voice and Fluency
  • CSAD 125 Developmental and Acquired Neurogenic Language Disorders Across the Lifespan
  • CSAD 126 Speech Sound Development and Disorders in Children: Aspects of Articulation and Phonology
  • CSAD 127 Introduction to Medical Speech Pathology
  • CSAD 130 Introduction to Audiology
  • CSAD 133 Aural Rehabilitation
  • CSAD 142 Topics in Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • CSAD 143 Communication Disorders in Multicultural Populations
  • CSAD 145 Supervised Field Observations
  • CSAD 146 Introduction to Clinical Issues and Methods
  • CSAD 147 Assessment Procedures
  • CSAD 148 Research in Speech - Language Pathology and Audiology

Reminder: Admission priority is given to students whose undergraduate curriculum is the most equivalent to Sacramento State’s Communication Sciences and Disorders Undergraduate Curriculum

AND have successfully completed (passed) the following prerequisites:

  • Human Development Through the Lifespan (must cover the full lifespan, birth to death. This may be fulfilled with one comprehensive course or a combination of courses)
  • Statistics (one course minimum, Introductory)
  • Psychology (one course minimum, Introductory)
  • Sign language (one course minimum)
  • Physics or Chemistry
  • Biological Science (e.g., biology, human genetics, veterinary science, etc.)

Note: Physics, Chemistry, and Biological Science prerequisites must meet ASHA requirements, posted on ASHA's webpage "Prerequisite Course Content Areas"

Note: CSUS General Education Area B Requirements do not all meet the Physics, Chemistry, and Biological Science prerequisites. Prerequisites must meet ASHA requirements, posted on ASHA's webpage "Prerequisite Course Content Areas"

AND SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION:

  • Official certificate demonstrating the successful passage of ALL THREE SECTIONS of the CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test) to meet the California Teacher Credential Basic Skills Requirement (see CBEST section of this webpage for options);
  • The written essay (see below for essay prompt);
  • Official cumulative record of 25 hours of observations of speech-language pathology therapy. Applicants who are obtaining observation hours outside of a formal program, may use the CSAD Observation Hours Log Template;
  • Three letters of recommendation, all of which must be submitted electronically through CSDCAS;

AND

  • Oral Essay (Video)
  • A personal interview may also be held (format to be determined).

Note: Please review additional documentation details, provided below.

Admission Requirements: international students

Domestic applicants with foreign documents must consult the Office of Graduate Studies applicants with foreign documents webpage for specific application instructions. International students (Those on or who intend to apply for F-1 or J-1 visas) must consult the Office of Graduate Studies and International Programs and Global Engagement for specific application instructions. Domestic applicants with foreign documents and international students whose native language is not English must also submit TOEFL scores. Communication Sciences and Disorders department specific required TOEFL scores are as follows: Paper-based 560/ Computer-based 220/ Internet-based 100.

Admission Requirements: CTC Basic Skills Requirement

Individuals may satisfy the basic skills requirement by one of the following methods:

  1. Successful passage of ALL THREE SECTIONS of the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST). To pass the CBEST, one must obtain a minimum scaled score of 41 in each of the three sections—reading, writing, and mathematics. Note: Testing opportunities are often limited. It is important to schedule exams as early as possible.
    OR
  2. Pass the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET): Multiple Subjects Plus Writing Skills Examination.
    OR
  3. Pass the CSU Early Assessment Program or the CSU Placement Examinations. Please see the CTC Basic Skills Requirement webpage, Appendix Table 1 for passing scores.

Three Step Admission Process

Applying to the Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders Program is a three step process. The Applicant's name MUST be consistent across all components of the application. (Failure to do so may result in the applicant’s packet being rejected as incomplete.)

STEP ONE:

Applicants must apply to California State University Sacramento. Please visit the CSUS Office of Graduate Studies webpage for instructions.

STEP TWO:

Applicants must apply directly to the CSAD Department through the Centralized Application Service for Communication Science & Disorders Programs (CSDCAS) portal

STEP THREE:

Applicants must submit a 5 minute video recording to the video submission link.


Note: Please review additional documentation details, provided below.

Application Step One (1): Cal State Apply application

Applicants must apply to Sacramento State.

  • Everyone must fill out the Cal State Apply application. Be sure to submit the Cal State Apply application at least one week before the deadline to allow time for all steps of the application process to be complete before the deadline.
  • Please review the Office of Graduate Studies application information and procedures for detailed instructions. Be sure to review and follow all of the instructions listed on this page.
  • Applicants are not required to submit a Statement of Purpose through this process because they will be submitting a specific essay through CSDCAS (see Application Step Two). Applicants should simply type “Essay submitted directly to department” in the personal statement category.
  • Applicants should select MS as their Degree Objective and indicate that they are applying to a Credential Program this term (CR-LSH Credential) as students completing the Master’s Degree will be eligible to apply for the Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential.
  • Transcripts:
    • Applicants only need to submit ONE set of official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended to Graduate Studies at Sacramento State. This is because you are submitting the other official set to CSDCAS as part of your department level application.
    • Applicants do not need to submit official transcripts to Sacramento State Graduate Studies for coursework completed at Sacramento State.
    • Applicants do not need to resubmit to Sacramento State Graduate Studies any official transcripts that are already on file with Sacramento State unless there is additional work that has been completed.
    • Please review the Office of Graduate Studies application information and procedures for detailed instructions for submitting transcripts to Sacramento State.
    • Applicants must, however, submit ALL transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended to CSDCAS (see Application Step Two).

Application Step Two (2): CSDCAS Application

Applicants must apply directly to the MS CSAD Program through the Centralized Application Service for Communication Science & Disorders Programs (CSDCAS) (Portal opens October 1 and closes February 15). Once the applicant creates an account and profile with CSDCAS, the application can be accessed frequently in order to complete the required portions of the application.

*** CSDCAS Application submission deadline is February 15th at 12:00 PM EST/9:00 PM PST***

The CSDCAS application will include submission of:

  1. Official certificate demonstrating the successful passage of ALL THREE SECTIONS of the CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test) to meet the California Teacher Credential Basic Skills Requirement.
  2. Written essay (responding to the department’s questions, provided below) with the applicant’s name at the top.
  3. Official cumulative record of 25 hours of observations of therapy (applicants who are obtaining observation hours outside of a formal program, may use the CSAD Observation Hours Log Template)
  4. Applicants will need to list ALL coursework from ALL transcripts AND any semester/quarter work planned or “in progress” under Academic History. Applicants who are actively completing coursework MUST list this coursework and any planned coursework in the Academic History section.
  5. Applicants must also list any grades earned through December 31, 2021 and submit the corresponding transcripts to CSDCAS per the CSDCAS US and English-Canadian Transcripts page
  6. Applicants must also list work, volunteer, and/or leadership experiences. The department values a strong work ethic. Therefore, applicants should indicate work, volunteer, and/or leadership experiences they have obtained through employment, volunteer experiences, university activities, religious organizations, and/or community programs. Experiences include teaching, tutoring, school aides, SLPA internship or employment, speech aide, research assistant, social work, counseling, daycare, work with the elderly, work/volunteer in nursing homes, work/volunteer with individuals with disabilities, or caretaker for family members/loved ones, and so on. A prolonged pattern of involvement through employment or volunteer services is more desirable than the overall quantity of work and volunteer experiences. Applicants may be asked by the department to submit evidence of Work or Volunteer Activities that are listed on their CSDCAS application.
  7. Applicants must submit an original essay using a maximum of 6500 characters (no spaces) to the specific essay questions (see below) on their CSDCAS application.
  8. Applicants MUST submit three letters of recommendation, all of which must be submitted through CSDCAS.
  • Two of these letters MUST come from full- or part-time faculty in Communication Sciences and Disorders (or equivalent);
  • Although the third letter may also come from full- or part-time faculty in Communication Sciences and Disorders (or equivalent), applicants are strongly encouraged to have the third letter come from an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist who works in the field OR an employed professional in one of the following related fields: occupational therapist, physical therapist, applied behavior analysis specialist, audiologist, primary school educator, secondary school educator, or special education educator.
  • Assistance with requesting evaluations (sometimes called Letters of Evaluation, Letters of Reference, or Letters of Recommendation) through CSDCAS can be found at the CSDCAS Evaluations webpage.
  • Note: Three letters of recommendation are required. No exceptions. If more than three letters are submitted, three letters will be selected by the faculty for review. If less than three letters are received, the applicant’s packet may be considered incomplete.

Application Step Two (2): Essay Prompt

Applicants must submit an original essay using a maximum of 6500 characters (no spaces) to the following specific essay questions on their CSDCAS application. In alignment with best practices in Holistic Admissions, these questions provide applicants with the opportunity to discuss their values as well as share how they might contribute value to Sac State and the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders mission and goals.

Be sure to respond directly to each prompt, listed below:

  • Define advocacy from your perspective and discuss three (3) ways you would advocate for the wide variety of populations across the lifespan that the field of communication sciences and disorders serves.
  • Using your own words, define collaboration and teamwork. Discuss your prior experiences with collaboration and teamwork; how will you apply this knowledge and your experiences with collaboration and teamwork during your graduate program at Sac State?
  • Social justice is an important value to Sac State and our department. Using your own words, define social justice and what this means to you. Provide personal examples of how you have demonstrated this value, and how do you anticipate demonstrating this value during graduate school?
  • In our clinics, we provide services to individuals across the lifespan, from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, languages, socioeconomic status, gender identities, sexual orientations, religions, exceptionalities, and cognitive and physical abilities. Describe your experiences, trainings, and/or preparation(s) related to interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Be sure to indicate if you are bilingual, trilingual, or multilingual and in which languages. Please describe in terms of spoken language, reading, and writing skills.

Application Step Two (2): CSDCAS Additional Information

  • CSDCAS Student Customer Service Customer Service is available Monday thru Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time Phone – (617) 612-2030 csdcasinfo@csdcas.org
  • CSDCAS provides one “academic update” timeframe in which applicants may update coursework completed since the original application e-Submission (this update must be completed within the timeframe specified by CSDCAS and prior to the application due date). Academic Update is intended for students who have e-submitted their applications prior to receiving grades for listed coursework summer or fall terms).
  • Only courses that are actually “in progress” or planned (the current spring semester or semesters to follow) should be left without grades on the CSDCAS application after the application due date. Please estimate approximate undergraduate program completion date by listing all “planned coursework.”
  • All official transcripts MUST be sent to CSDCAS Verification Department, P.O. Box 9113 Watertown, MA 02471
  • CSDCAS applications are due at midnight Eastern Standard Time (EST) on February 15. A midnight CSDCAS submission deadline equates to a 9:00 p.m. PST submission deadline in California.

Application Step Three (3): 5-minute video recording

Applicants must submit a 5-minute video recording. The purpose of the video is in lieu of an initial face-to-face interview. An additional personal interview may also be held (format to be determined).

Video Format Instructions

  • Video Length: Five (5) minutes
  • File Format: mp4
  • File Size: less than 96 MB in size
  • File Name: Sacramento State ID Number-video-2021. Example: My CSUS ID is 999999. My file name will be "99999-video-2024.mp4"
  • Video must include audio
  • Record your 5-minute video using your device of choice (e.g., smart phone, iPad, laptop, etc.)

Video Content Instructions

  • Be sure to introduce yourself by using your Sacramento State ID number ONLY. Do Not State Your Name. The Department uses a blinded review process.
  • Please do not use special effects in your video, instead:
  • Dress and communicate professionally
  • Make “eye contact” by looking into the camera lens
  • Use plain/non-distracting background
  • The video is in lieu of an initial face-to -face interview, so applicants should focus their attention and efforts in responding comprehensively and reflectively to the three prompts:
    1. Describe the reasons and experiences that have served to motivate you to become a speech-language pathologist.
    2. Please discuss why you are interested in attending the Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders Program at Sacramento State. Please provide three (3) specific reasons and examples related to Sac State’s CSAD MS program.
    3. There are a variety of technical skills, flexibility, ethics, resiliency, and overall open/positive attitudes that are required to be successful in graduate school. Referencing these factors, please discuss how you would contribute to enhancing a positive professional culture in the Master of Science program in Communication Sciences and Disorders Program at Sacramento State.

Submission Instructions

  • After recording, confirm audio and visual are audible and visible for the entire duration of the recording. If not, please re-record your video before submitting.
  • After recording, if your file does not fit the above specified parameters, then use a video editor of your choice (e.g., Handbrake https://handbrake.fr).
  • After confirming that your video has audio/visual and meets the specified formats, upload video to the 2024 MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders (SLP) Applicant Video Upload (LINK TO BE POSTED IN FALL 2023)
  • If you have technical difficulties:
    1. Current Sac State students may contact the university’s IRT.
    2. Applicants from outside of Sac State are encouraged to use available Internet resources including YouTube training clips.

Admission Ranking

Students that meet the minimum qualifications for the program are ranked for graduate admission based on the following:

  • GPA in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Speech Pathology or Communicative Disorders coursework
  • Letters of Recommendation (n=3)
  • Amount of related work, volunteer, and leadership experience
  • Quality of Oral and Written Essay Response
  • Amount of coursework completed in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Speech Pathology or Communicative Disorders consistent with coursework completed by students with a BS in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Sacramento State.
  • Clinical Potential (determined by applicant’s reported work and volunteer experiences, professional and collaborative behaviors, teachableness (non-defensiveness), flexibility, reliability, dedication to the field, etc.)

Cohorts

Accepted applicants are admitted into the program and randomly assigned into two groups (cohorts).

  1. The first cohort, referred to as “Fall Starts” begins clinic in the fall and can expect to graduate in a minimum of 4 semesters (coursework and internship experiences will be completed in the spring semester of the second year; however, degrees are typically conferred at the end of August).
  2. The second Cohort, referred to as “Spring Starts” begins coursework in the fall semester and clinic in the spring semester. This group can expect to graduate in a minimum of 5 semesters (coursework and internship experiences will be completed in the fall semester of the third year; however, degrees are typically conferred at the end of January).

Dates & Deadlines

Deadlines correspond with Sacramento State deadlines found on the Office of Graduate Studies website.

Fall Application cycles close on February 15 each year. For example, applicants applying for fall 2024 admissions must have applications submitted by February 15, 2024.

  1. Sacramento State Application Portal Closes: February 15 at 9:00 PM Pacific Standard Time (12:00 Eastern Standard Time)
  2. CSDCAS Application Portals Closes: February 15 at 9:00 PM Pacific Standard Time (12:00 Eastern Standard Time)
  3. Video Submissions must be uploaded by: February 15 at 9:00 PM Pacific Standard Time (12:00 Eastern Standard Time)

Applicants will be notified about their application and admission status generally around the first week of April but no later than April 15.

Cohort assignments (see above) will be distributed following admission processing.

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

  1. What is the cost of program?
    Current POST-BACCALAUREATE Tuition & Fees can be found on the CSUS Current Tuition and Fees website.
  2. Where can I find additional Program information?
    Campus catalog
    Office of Graduate Studies
    Campus Tours
  3. Where can I find information on Financial Aid and Scholarships?
    Financial Aid and Scholarship Office website
    Scholarships website
  4. Where can I find Career Information?
  5. Where can I find job placement statistics?
    The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders reports employment rates as well as other department tracked assessment data in the CSAD M.S. and Au.D. Student Achievement Data/Student Outcome Data section of our accreditation webpage.
  6. What is an SLP?
  7. How do I obtain Letters of Recommendation?
    Applicants MUST submit three letters of recommendation, all of which must be submitted through CSDCAS.
    • Start making yourself visible to the faculty now. In the fall of your senior year you will need to request letters of recommendation.
    • Two of these letters MUST come from full- or part-time faculty in Communication Sciences and Disorders (or equivalent).
    • Although the third letter may also come from full- or part-time faculty in Communication Sciences and Disorders (or equivalent), applicants are strongly encouraged to have the third letter come from an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist who works in the field OR an employed professional in one of the following related fields: occupational therapist, physical therapist, applied behavior analysis specialist, audiologist, primary school educator, secondary school educator, or special education educator.
    • Assistance with requesting evaluations (sometimes called Letters of Evaluation, Letters of Reference, or Letters of Recommendation) through CSDCAS can be found at the CSDCAS Evaluations webpage.
    • Note: Three letters of recommendation are required. No exceptions. If more than three letters are submitted, three letters will be selected by the faculty for review. If less than three letters are received, the applicant’s packet may be considered incomplete.
  8. How do I register and prepare to take the CBEST.
  9. How do I obtain assistance in writing the application essay?
    Consult with your campus assistance programs, such as Sac State’s:
  10. How do I obtain assistance in completing the video recording?
    • After recording, confirm audio and visual are audible and visible for the entire duration of the recording. If not, please re-record your video before submitting.
    • After recording, if your file does not fit the above specified parameters, then use a video editor of your choice (e.g., Handbrake https://handbrake.fr).
    • If you have technical difficulties:
      • Current Sac State students may contact the university’s IRT
      • Applicants from outside of Sac State are encouraged to use available Internet resources including YouTube training clips.
  11. How do I complete the CSU Apply application?
    1. Office of Graduate Studies application information and proceduresfor detailed instructions.
    2. Cal State Apply Applicant Help Center
    3. Cal State Apply Customer Service
  12. How do I complete the application through CSDCAS?
  13. Where do I find information on Audiology and/or the Doctor of Audiology Program?
  14. Where do I find information on becoming a Speech Language-Pathology Assistant (SLPA)?
    • The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders posts information regarding its Speech Language Pathology Assistant Summer Extension Coursework each spring.
    • Contact the Speech Language Pathology Assistant Summer Extension Coursework coordinator, Dr. Tonia Davis, for additional information and resources.

Contact

QUESTIONS?

Direct all questions regarding the CSAD M.S. program and the application process to:

Darla K. Hagge Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Graduate Coordinator
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
hagge@csus.edu
To schedule an office appoitnemnt please use:

https://calendly.com/hagge/15minuteofficehourappts