Communication Disorders (CDIS) has a long history at Texas State University-San Marcos of preparing well-qualified speech-language pathologists to work in a wide variety of professional settings. The Master of Science in Communication Disorders (MSCD) and the Master of Arts (MA) are offered. Both degrees require a minimum of 27 academic hours in communication disorders, plus a clinical practicum each semester enrolled, with the remaining 6-9 degree hours of the following departmental cognates: autism, bilingual, dialectal or general CDIS. A thesis is required for Master of Arts degree students.

The graduate program is accredited in Speech-Language Pathology by the Council of Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Graduates meet all requirements for licensure in the State of Texas and the requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology issued by ASHA.

The curriculum is clinically oriented and designed to prepare clinicians for employment in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, public schools, and private practice. The facilities of the Texas State Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic offer opportunities for students to use state-of-the art technology and equipment to diagnose and treat individuals with a wide variety of communication disorders. Off-campus clinical practicum sites include hospitals, private nonprofit facilities, long term care facilities, private practice, and public schools throughout the Central Texas region.

Admission Policy

Admission to the Texas State graduate program in Communication Disorders is selective and competitive. The graduate sequence begins in the fall semester. The typical program is two academic years and one summer session in length. The deadline for applying each year is February 1.

To be considered for regular admission, applicants must have an undergraduate degree in communication disorders, meet the requirements for Graduate College regular admission, and have a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for undergraduate academic courses in communication disorders. In addition, applicants must send in a COMPLETED Graduate Admissions Packet.

Meeting admission requirements for the Graduate College and the Department of Communication Disorders DOES NOT GUARANTEE admission to the graduate sequence in communication disorders. All application material must be received by the Texas State office of the Graduate College by February 1 of each year.

For any questions or more information on this program, please send emails to: cdisgradprog@txstate.edu 

Admission Policy for Leveling Students

Individuals who have undergraduate degrees in majors other than communication disorders should apply to the Graduate College to complete the required background work. The number of hours of background work required is determined in consultation with the Communication Disorders Undergraduate Advisor, Lori Stiritz, and is dependent on the courses taken at the undergraduate level. Upon successful completion of the required background work, applicants may apply for admission to the regular graduate sequence for a fall semester. Successful completion of the background requirements in the Department of Communication Disorders at Texas State DOES NOT GUARANTEE admission to the program in Communication Disorders. It is strongly recommended that students apply to multiple graduate programs during the completion of their background coursework.The application deadline for students wanting to complete their background coursework here at Texas State is April 1st of every year.
Required background work that must be completed by leveling students prior to admission to the graduate sequence. Successful completion of these courses does not guarantee admission and does not earn graduate degree credit. Graduate students with undergraduate degrees from other programs that did not offer the below courses will also be required to complete the courses in order to earn a master's degree. These courses include:

CDIS 5325 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Production System (3-0) Description of structure and function of the speech production system with emphasis on physical problems in speech, language and hearing.
CDIS 5312 Neuroanatomy for Communication Disorders (3-1) This is a lecture course that examines the organization of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system. Significance of the areas of the nervous system that are primary or secondary for speech, language, and hearing are the main focus of this course.
CDIS 5459 Phonemics and Phonetics (3-1) Analysis of normal and abnormal phonological processes in children and adults. Proficiency in transcription using the alphabet of the International Phonetic Association emphasized.
CDIS 5462 Remediation of Articulatory and Phonological Disorders (3-2) This course prepares students to manage articulation and phonological disorders. Current therapeutic models are reviewed. Observation of therapy and instruction in preparation of written clinical reports are required.
CDIS 5469 Introduction to Hearing Science (3-2) Study of acoustics, auditory physiology, and perception of sound. Includes discussion of auditory sensitivity, signal detection, psychoacoustic methods, perception of pitch and loudness, binaural hearing, and speech perception. Associated laboratory promotes reinforcement of concepts addressed in lecture through review, problem-solving, and weekly assignments.
CDIS 5475 Speech Science (3-2) Normal processes of speech production will be addressed from anatomic, physiologic, kinematic, aerodynamic, acoustic, and perceptual perspectives. Measurement and analysis techniques, instrumentation, and experimental paradigms used to study speech production and perception will be emphasized.
CDIS 5330 Speech and Language Development (3-0) Course to acquaint students with acquisition of speech and language in children. Basic information from linguistics, psycholinguistics, psychology, and communication are examined for children in various stages of development.
CDIS 5370 Aural Rehabilitation (3-0) Principles and procedures in the habilitation and rehabilitation of hearing-impaired children and adults.
CDIS 5420 Introduction to Audiology (3-2) Relates anatomy and physiology of the auditory system and the science of acoustics to the study of normal, pathological auditory function. Laboratory experience in administration and interpretation of audiological tests. Discussion of professional opportunities in the field of Audiology and provision of audiological service to special populations.
CDIS 5466 Clinical Management of Language Disorders (4-2) Study of principles and procedures for the identification, description, assessment, and remediation of language disorders in infants, children, and adolescents. Students will observe demonstrations of assessment procedures and types of language disorders within the context of clinical procedures. Describing observed behaviors and analyzing language samples are emphasized. 

Other Classes:The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association requires transcript credit in the following areas outside of Communication Disorders for certification as a speech-language pathologist. These requirements should be reviewed with the CDIS Department Chair before the graduate sequence is initiated.
Biological Science                            3 hours (Bio, Botany, Nutrition)
Physical Science                             3 hours(Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy, Geology)
Social or Behavioral Science             3 hours (Sociology, Psychology)

In addition, the Department of Communication Disorders requires the following courses:
Development Across the Lifespan      3 hours
Biostatistics                                    3 hours

We encourage taking these courses prior to beginning the leveling year. 

Practicum

In order to obtain the required clinical hours for certification, graduate students must enroll for clinical practicum each semester enrolled for study toward the master's degree. Students participating in on-campus clinical practicum in speech-language pathology must enroll in Communication Disorders 5344. Students earning supervised clock hours in audiology must enroll in Communication Disorders 5321. Graduate students earning clinical hours in both speech-language pathology and audiology during the same semester must enroll in both Communication 5344 and Communication Disorders 5321 concurrently. Students participating in off-campus clinical practicum must enroll in Communication Disorders 5689. Individuals completing the various cognates will have additional clinical requirements. Academic hours for clinical practicum do not count toward the degree.

Facilities

The University operates the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic on a twelve-month basis and is nationally known as a treatment center for communication disorders. Graduate students utilize the clinic for research in addition to clinical training experiences.

Communication Disorders (CDIS) Courses

5301 Advanced Independent Study in Communication Disorders. (3-0) Discussions of various areas of speech language pathology. Attention to individual needs of the student. Emphasis on independent study in habilitation and rehabilitation of communication disorders. This course is repeatable for credit and can be taught by different faculty covering different topics. Prerequisite: Faculty permission required.
5321 Clinical Practicum in Audiology. (1-3) Supervised clinical practicum in audiology. Focus is on both diagnostic and rehabilitative audiological management of diverse populations. Must be taken every semester that a student participates in supervised audiology practicum. May be repeated for credit but not count toward graduate degree credit. Graded on a credit (CR), no-credit (F) basis. Prerequisites: CDIS 4420 and CDIS 4370 or equivalents; instructor approval.
5344 Advanced Clinical Practicum. (1-8) Clinical practicum for graduate students focusing on assessment and remediation of communication disorders in children and adults. Required each semester enrolled. May be repeated for credit but not count toward graduate degree credit. Graded on a credit (CR), no-credit (F) basis.
5336 Neuromotor Disorders of Speech: Description and Rehabilitation. (3-0) The course reviews the neuroanatomic mechanisms underlying speech production and surveys the etiology, symptomatology, epidemiology, course, and prognosis of speech disorders resulting from impairment of the central and/or peripheral nervous systems. Emphasis is placed on apraxia and the dysarthrias. Clinical application in assessment and rehabilitation of patients with neurogenically-based motor speech deficits is stressed.
Prerequisites: CDIS 3412 or equivalent.
5363 Language Disorders in the Birth to 5 Population. (3-0) Principles of the evaluation process will be emphasized, with focus given to the birth to 5-year population. Use of the assessment information to determine communication disorders versus communication differences among culturally diverse groups will be addressed. Intervention planning using assessment data will be presented.
5342 Aphasia and Related Disorders. (3-0) The course develops an understanding of etiology, symptomatology, assessment, remediation, and recovery patterns of acquired communication disorders that result from impairment of the central nervous system, with a focus on the aphasias and traumatic brain injuries. Coexisting problems caused by damage to cortical/subcortical structures will also be addressed. Recent advances in relevant clinical research and technology will be surveyed.
Prerequisites: CDIS 3412 or equivalent.
5333 Advanced Study in Language Disorders. (3-0) The focus will be on the assessment and intervention of language in school aged children. Issues regarding the relationship of language and literacy acquisition will be pursued. Literature review will be emphasized.
5362 Introduction to Research in Communicative Disorders. (3-0) Designed to acquaint the student with research protocol in behavior science, with an emphasis in speech-language pathology. Topics include research design, data analysis, manuscript preparation, and obtaining external funding.
Emphasis on critical analysis of professional literature.
5339 Dysphagia. (3-0) A review of anatomic and physiologic disturbances in swallowing in neurologically impaired and post-surgical head and neck cancer patients will be presented. Instrumentation, techniques of evaluation and radiograph examination of deglutition will be reviewed. Rehabilitation procedures will be described in detail.
5350 Multicultural Issues in Communication Disorders. (3-0) Address the social, cultural, and linguistic factors that impact the clinical service delivery provided to culturally and linguistically diverse populations. A primary focus of the course will be to address general principles of assessment and intervention as they related to the clinical management of individuals with communication disorders from diverse cultural and language backgrounds.
5337 Vocal Rehabilitation. (3-0) Assessment of vocal function and disorders; rehabilitation of the patient with vocal abnormalities due to vocal abuse, psychological, and/or organic etiologies, including laryngectomy.
5340 Cognitive Rehabilitation in Traumatic Brain Injury. (3-0) This introductory-level course will review neuropathology and neurophysiology of traumatic brain injury, introduce relevant terms and models in cognitive rehabilitation, provide a framework for assessment and treatment, and discuss the functional impact of TBI on the patient and others.
Prerequisites: CDIS 5336, 5342.
5331 Stuttering Therapy. (3-0) Description of therapeutic intervention with children and adults who stutter. Techniques of assessment, management, and counseling are emphasized.
5334 Articulation and Phonological Disorders: Assessment and Intervention.

5689 Internship in Communication Disorders. (1-30) Laboratory and clinical practicum at selected therapeutic sites used to provide additional breadth to therapeutic experiences. Dependent on approval of program faculty. May be repeated for credit but not count toward graduate degree credit. Graded on a credit (CR), no-credit (F) basis. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and permission of instructor and graduate advisor.
5390 Seminar in Communication Disorders. (3-0) Examination of current theoretical and clinical issues in Communication Disorders. Issues may include family management in communication disorders, language and literacy, issues in health care rehabilitation, instrumentation and entrepreneurship. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and permission of instructor and graduate advisor.
5399A Thesis. This course represents a student's initial thesis enrollment. No thesis credit is awarded until student has completed the thesis in Communication Disorders 5399B. Graded on a credit (CR), no-credit (F) basis.
5399B Thesis. This course represents a student's continuing thesis enrollments. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding. Graded on a credit (CR), no-credit (F) basis.