Communication Sciences and Disorders, M.S. (Online)
Department Chair: Michaela Ritter, Ed.D./CCC-SLP
Online Graduate Program Director: Venessa Grandjean, SLP.D./CCC-SLP
Online Clinical Outreach Director: Steven Moates, SLP.D./CCC-SLP
The Communication Sciences and Disorders Department (CSD) also offers an online Master of Science (M.S.) Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders for graduate students who do not prefer a residential program on the Baylor campus. The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential and distance education) at Baylor University 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, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
The online platform incorporates web technologies that can be accessed in most states. Students do not need to be proficient with distance education technology before enrolling, but basic computer literacy, such as knowing how to access a website, is required. Students log into the learning management platform using a secure Baylor login and password. Synchronous sessions are small (approximately 20 students) and conducted via a web video camera. An orientation module for the program is provided and a technology help desk is available to both students and faculty. Asynchronous material is also completed outside of online class time for additional learning.
Admissions
Admission decisions are based on faculty review of cumulative undergrad (or graduate if degree conferred) GPA from degree bearing university, personal statements, resume, and three letters of recommendation. Policies and operating procedures for the online graduate program are detailed in the Online CSD Graduate Handbook and provided to each student electronically at the start of the trimester. Start dates for each student can be individualized to begin in the spring (January), summer (June), or fall (August) trimesters. Each trimester consists of 15-weeks. Graduate coursework is offered in the evenings to allow for clinical experiences in the field during the day. Working at a place of employment during practicum and internship is not recommended; schedule flexibility is required.
Graduate Courses
Online CSD graduate students must complete 45 trimester hours (33 hours of graduate coursework, 3 hours of electives and 9 hours for practicum and internship), accrue 400 clinical hours (including 25 hours of observation), take the National Praxis examination, and pass the required comprehensive examination. This program takes 5 trimesters (approximately 20 months) for full time students and 7 trimesters (approximately 28 months) for part time students. Although this is an online program, over 375 clock hours are spent out in the field completing 3 practicum and 1 internship during weekly workdays. A student who selects this degree should have a flexible daytime schedule during 3 trimesters of practicum and plan no outside employment during the full-time internship.
Required courses for graduate level work consist of:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CSD 5150 | Introduction to Clinical Practice | 1 |
| CSD 5151 | Clinical Practicum Placement 1 (needs departmental approval) | 1 |
| CSD 5152 | Clinical Practicum Placement 2 (needs departmental approval) | 1 |
| CSD 5153 | Clinical Practicum Placement 3 (needs departmental approval) | 1 |
| CSD 5311 | Aphasiology | 3 |
| CSD 5312 | Fluency and Fluency Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 5313 | Augmentative and Alternative Communication | 3 |
| CSD 5314 | Voice Pathology and Resonance Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 5316 | Motor Speech Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 5318 | Research Methods in Graduate Study in Communication Sciences and Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 5319 | EBP Evaluation and Interprofessional Practice in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| CSD 5325 | Speech Sound Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 5328 | Diagnosis and Treatment of Dysphagia | 3 |
| CSD 5330 | Cognitive Linguistic Communication Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 5341 | Pediatric Language Disorders 1 | 3 |
| CSD 5549 | Clinical Internship | 5 |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
Elective
Students are also required to complete one elective (3 credits) as part of the curriculum. These courses currently consist of:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Elective | ||
| Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation 1 | ||
| Multicultural Issues in Speech-Language Pathology | ||
| Pediatric Language Disorders 2 | ||
| Mentored Research Experience in Communication Sciences and Disorders | ||
- 1
All leveling and graduate students who have not had a course in aural rehabilitation will be requested to enroll in this course as an elective.
Leveling Courses
Students who have been accepted to Baylor's online CSD graduate program but do not have recent undergraduate CSD prerequisite courses are considered a graduate student with leveling status. All students are required to complete 18 hours of undergraduate courses to meet requirements for state licensure and professional certification. Any of these courses that are missing from a student’s undergraduate or post-bac transcript will need to be completed prior to beginning graduate coursework. A student may be waived out of a leveling course if it was taken at another university within the past 5 years and a grade of “B” was earned. The course syllabus description must also meet the requirements of the Baylor CSD program as determined by the admissions committee. This rule also applies to all undergraduate courses taken by CSD majors entering the graduate program.
These required leveling courses consist of:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Leveling Courses | ||
| CSD 5101 | Leveling-Observation (25 hours of observation) | 1 |
| CSD 5201 | Leveling-Clinical Methods | 2 |
| CSD 5305 | Leveling-Survey of Speech Pathology and Audiology | 3 |
| CSD 5306 | Leveling-Language Development | 3 |
| CSD 5307 | Leveling-Introduction to Phonological Science | 3 |
| CSD 5308 | Leveling-Structures and Functions in Communication and Swallowing | 3 |
| CSD 5309 | Leveling-Introduction to Clinical Audiology | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
ASHA Sciences
The American Speech and Hearing Association requires all students to have completed college level science courses consisting of the biological sciences, physical sciences (either chemistry or physics), statistics, and the social/behavioral sciences (Standard IV-A) from an accredited college or university. A passing grade of D or better is required to count towards a passing credit for these courses. These courses are not offered in the online CSD graduate program and must be taken at another institution.