-Bachelor of Health Science
The undergraduate program in Communication Science and Disorders leads to a Bachelor of Health Science (BHS), which fully prepares each student for graduate study in speech-language pathology or audiology (a master's degree is required for professional practice in speech-language pathology and a doctoral degree is required for professional practice in audiology). The BHS can be designed either as a liberal arts and science degree for students whose goals do not include clinical practice, or as a pre-professional degree for those students who plan to pursue a clinical master's or doctoral degree. Students may take limited CSD coursework during their first two years at MU, but do not officially enter the BHS program until their junior year (click here for information on the application process). In addition to the general education requirements for the University of Missouri-Columbia (see Undergraduate Curriculum), CSD majors must complete at least 42 hours of coursework in Communication Science and Disorders.
Undergraduates in the BHS program gain a broad understanding of the different types of communicative disorders, the scientific basis of speech, hearing, and language, and different kinds of diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilized by speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Undergraduate students in the CSD department at MU benefit from the following:
- Master of Health Science (emphasis in speech-language pathology)
The Master of Health Science (MHS) degree offered by the Department of Communication Science and Disorders prepares students for professional practice in speech-language pathology. Students in the MHS program receive a strong academic background in current theory and application in the field of communication disorders from faculty members who are involved in clinical and basic research and committed to excellence in teaching. Candidates for the MHS degree must complete a minimum of 42 credit hours of graduate coursework and approximately 400 hours of clinical practicum that is supervised by a certified clinical faculty. A diversity of clients and outplacement practicum opportunities are available to graduate students in the MU Speech and Hearing Clinic and the city of Columbia and surrounding communities in mid-Missouri.
The MHS degree in Communication Science and Disorders typically takes students two years if their baccalaureate degree is in communication science and disorders, and three years if their undergraduate study was completed in another field. For 3-year students, the first year is spent taking prerequisite coursework; the 2nd year is like a typical first year for students with an undergraduate degree in communication disorders. Applicants do not have to complete prerequisite coursework before applying or starting the coursework in the MHS program. All students must have successfully completed a baccalaureate degree before beginning the MHS program in Communication Science and Disorders.
MHS graduates are required to meet all academic and clinical requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) awarded by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). A passing score of 600 is required on the National Examination in Speech Pathology and Audiology (NESPA) for graduation from the MHS program in CSD. In addition to serving as the comprehensive examination for master's candidates in CSD, the NESPA is also required for the CCC, for Missouri professional licensure, and for Missouri teacher certification as a speech language specialist. For over 18 years, 100% of all graduates from MU's CSD program have passed the NESPA, with mean and median scores significantly higher than the national averages. In addition, recent graduates of the program have received excellent job opportunities upon graduation, many having more than one job offer before finishing the master's program. A thesis option is also available for students interested in research and/or further study toward the Doctor of Philosophy degree.
Compared to other CSD graduate programs in Missouri, the MHS program at MU is fairly small and selective. Students enjoy a very low student-faculty ratio, close supervision in the MU Speech and Hearing Clinic, and a challenging yet supportive environment. Faculty in CSD have an "open-door" policy, and strong student-faculty relationships are easily developed. The CSD department welcomes all visitors interested in meeting faculty and students and touring our facilities. We recommend scheduling an appointment if you would like to arrange a visit - contact Jill Diener at 573-884-2329 or e-mail Jill at mucsd@health.missouri.edu.
>>Application Procedures for the MHS program
>>MU Speech and Hearing Clinic
>>List of courses offered by the department
>>Admission Requirements
>>MHS Handbook
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-Combined MHS/PhD Program
A combined MHS/PhD program is available for students whose goals include advanced study in Communication Science and Disorders (see PhD information below). The combined program will take approximately four and a half years. Application procedures for the mhs/phd program are the same as the master's program application procedures.
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-Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The doctoral studies program in Communication Science and Disorders offers flexible and innovative, yet rigorous preparation for students who desire an in depth education beyond the Master's degree in the profession. Doctoral students' programs in Communication Science and Disorders include advanced graduate coursework in communication disorders and additional studies in areas complementary to the students' professional interests from among over 95 PhD-granting departments on the comprehensive Columbia campus of the University of Missouri. Individualized programs of doctoral study are designed according to each student's background and areas of interest, and doctoral candidates are placed under the supervision of an advisory committee approved by MU's Graduate School. Progress toward the degree as well as development and completion of the dissertation are assisted and supervised by an academic advisor who is a member of the Doctoral Faculty of the University.
As the major research institution in the state and a Carnegie Research Extensive university, MU offers programs that strongly emphasize development of the doctoral candidate's research skills; both basic and clinical research are encouraged within the department. The CSD Department is located administratively within the School of Health Professions and students have access to a diversity of educational opportunities and research populations within SHP. Additionally, a wide variety of resources across campus are available to enhance graduate coursework, including humanities, physical and social sciences, the arts, education, and medicine.
For students who have already completed a master's degree in communication disorders, completion of the PhD in Communication Science and Disorders will require approximately three to four years, depending upon qualifications, background, and rate of progress. We also invite applications from highly qualified students who do not yet have a master's degree, or have a master's degree in a related field; their program will lengthened somewhat to provide a comprehensive education in the field. (See the MU Graduate Catalog for information regarding residency and other requirements.) Upon completion of the doctoral program in Communication Science and Disorders, the graduate will be well prepared for university-level teaching and research.
Doctoral teaching and research assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships are available on a competitive basis both from the Department of Communication Science and Disorders and the Graduate School. Some financial aid awards will allow the doctoral student opportunities to develop and refine skills in the areas of clinical supervision and university teaching.
>> Application Procedures for the PhD program
>> Admission Requirements
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last update 5/2006
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