Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 EIU Graduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 EIU Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Communication Disorders and Sciences


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Program Mission: With an appropriate undergraduate major in communication disorders and sciences, this program meets the requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the Speech-Language Pathologist License awarded by the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation, and the K-12 Educator License (with Illinois State Board of Education endorsement). Candidates meeting these requirements are eligible to practice speech-language pathology in both educational and medical settings.

The program offers a single curriculum that includes both a Traditional Track for candidates studying on campus and a Hybrid Track for place-bound candidates who require online access with some on-campus requirements. The curriculum also offers a Special Topics (non-thesis) Option and a Thesis (research) Option.

Accreditation:  Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in the area of speech-language pathology.

Admission Requirements:  To be eligible for degree candidacy, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (see “Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs”).  To be eligible for admission to the degree program, applicants must provide the following documentation: 

Traditional Track

  • A documented score of the General Test of the Graduate Record Exam;
  • At least a 3.00 grade point average (A=4.0) in an undergraduate communication disorders and sciences major.

Hybrid Track

  • A documented score of the General Test of the Graduate Record Exam;
  • At least a 3.00 grade point average (A=4.0) in an undergraduate communication disorders and sciences major;
  • A letter summarizing previous or current relevant work experience with children and/or adults;
  • A letter verifying a partnership with a school or clinical setting near the applicant’s area of residence that is willing to provide the clinical experiences required for the CDS 5900 Advanced Clinical Practice.The partnership letter must include evidence of speech-language services to children of varying ages with diverse disorders.

Students from any accredited four-year college or university who have completed the appropriate undergraduate degree are encouraged to apply.  Applicants are advised that admission to the program is competitive and determined by a graduate faculty committee that reviews all applications.  Applicants are further advised that before they are eligible for the Educational Internship (CDS 5970) they must obtain a passing score on the Test of Academic Proficiency.  Details regarding this requirement are outlined in the Degree Requirements section. 

Degree Audit: The graduate plan of study is the EIU Degree Audit, which is generated automatically in the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) at the time of degree or certificate candidacy. Modifications of the standard EIU Degree Audit are submitted by the graduate coordinator to the certification officer in the Graduate School at the time modifications are approved. The Degree Audit serves as an unofficial summary of requirements for the program. Degree and certificate candidates are advised to review the comprehensive summary of the Degree Audit process specified on the “Requirements for All Degree and Certificate Candidates” section of the Graduate Catalog. Individual programs may require candidates to submit plans of study in addition to the Degree Audit, candidates should consult with the program coordinator.

Degree Requirements


Degree requirements include those outlined for the master’s degree by the Graduate School (see “Requirements for the Master’s Degree”) and those specified below for the Master of Science in Communication Disorders and Sciences.

Degree candidates for the Master of Science in Communication Disorders and Sciences will complete the following curriculum sequence.  The sequence includes all of the courses, clinical practicum, and internship requirements.  Candidates will follow either the Traditional Track or the Hybrid Track.  The Traditional Track is arranged over 6 or 7 terms (http://www.eiu.edu/commdisgrad/graduate.php).  The Hybrid Track is arranged over 9 terms (http://www.eiu.edu/commdisgrad/GraduateDistanceProgram.php).  Finally, candidates will select one of two options; these include either the Special Topics (non-thesis) Option or the Thesis (research) Option. 

Required Pre-Clinic Course


CDS 5090 is required for the Traditional Track and CDS 5091 is required for the Hybrid Track.

Special Topics or Thesis Option Requirements


Special Topics Option


Candidates in all tracks selecting the Special Topics Option must complete a total of 4 credit hours of CDS 5400A or CDS 5850 and must pass oral and written comprehensive examinations.

Thesis Option


Candidates in all tracks selecting the Thesis Option must complete a total of 4 credit hours of CDS 5890 and must complete and defend a thesis prior to completion of the degree.

Required Full-Time Internship Experiences


All candidates in all tracks and options are required to complete two internships in two different settings.  All candidates complete a Medical Internship and all candidates complete an Educational Internship unless approved to substitute the Clinical Internship as described below.

  • Credits: 9
  • All candidates register for 9 semester hours; a maximum of 3 semester hours may be applied to the degree.  Candidates are responsible for meeting the requirements of their external medical internship site.

    AND

  • Credits: 9
  • All candidates register for 9 semester hours; a maximum of 3 semester hours may be applied to the degree.  To be eligible for the Educational Internship candidates must complete the following requirements:

    Candidates who fail to meet the TAP requirements are not eligible to enroll in the Educational Internship and therefore are not eligible for a K-12 Educator License with Endorsement by the Illinois State Board of Education.  Candidates who become ineligible for the Educational Internship must instead complete CDS 5985 Clinical Internship.

    Candidates in the Hybrid Track must complete their Educational Internship in a school district that is different from the school district in which they completed their Advanced Clinical Practicum (CDS 5900) unless approved by the Educational Internship Coordinator, the Graduate Coordinator, and the Department Chair. 

    OR

  • Credits: 9
  • Candidates approved for Clinical Internship register for 9 semester hours; a maximum of 3 semester hours may be applied to the degree.

    Clinical Internship (CDS 5985) is available to candidates who do not meet the requirements for Educational Internship (CDS 5970).  Candidates completing this approved alternative are not eligible for the K-12 Educator License with Illinois State Board of Education Endorsement.

     

Graduate Assistantships


Information on graduate assistantships may be obtained by contacting the Coordinator of Graduate Studies or Chair, Communication Disorders and Sciences Department, second floor of the Human Services Building, EIU

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