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CSD Degree Programs: Bachelor of Health Science
The undergraduate program in Communication Science and Disorders, which leads to a Bachelor of Health Science (BHS) degree, fully prepares each student for graduate study in speech-language pathology or audiology. (Note: A masters degree is required for professional practice in speech-language pathology and a professional doctorate is required for professional practice in audiology.) The BHS can be approached 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 masters or doctoral degree. Students may major in CSD and take limited CSD coursework during their freshman and sophomore years at MU, but do not officially enter the BHS degree program until their junior year following application and admission to the program. In addition to the general education requirements established by the University of Missouri-Columbia, CSD majors must complete a minimum of 42 hours of coursework in Communication Science and Disorders (and elective courses to bring total credit hours to 120).
The BHS in CSD is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of the scientific bases of speech, language, and hearing; the different types of communication disorders; and the various kinds of diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilized by speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Undergraduate students in the CSD department at MU benefit from:
A low student-faculty ratio: Faculty in the CSD department are easily accessible and they encourage student questions and interaction outside of the classroom.
A well-established student organization: MU's chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association benefits from strong membership, providing opportunities for leadership and professional development.
Practical, hands-on experience: Seniors may serve as student clinicians in the Robert G. Combs Language Preschool and may participate in research labs maintained by the CSD faculty.
Success in graduate school: Graduates of our BHS program are well-prepared for graduate studies and enjoy high acceptance rates at top universities across the nation.
Master of Health Science
(with an emphasis in speech-language pathology)
The Master of Health Science (MHS) degree program prepares students for professional practice in speech-language pathology. Students in this program receive a strong academic and clinical background in current theory and application in the field of communication disorders from faculty who are committed to excellence in teaching and who are involved in clinical and basic research. Candidates for the MHS degree must complete a minimum of 42 credit hours of graduate coursework plus at least 375 hours of clinical practicum that is supervised by certified clinical faculty. In addition to the MU Speech and Hearing Clinic, the city of Columbia and surrounding communities in mid-Missouri provide for a wide range of clinical practicum opportunities as well as a diverse client population. Students who wish to may also pursue clinical practicum experiences in other gegraphical locaitons during their final semester in the program. A thesis option is also available for students interested in research and/or further study toward the Doctor of Philosophy degree.
The MHS degree in CSD typically takes students two years to complete if their baccalaureate degree is in communication science and disorders. If their undergraduate study was in another field, the degree program requires approximately 30 additional hours of prerequisite coursework. It is recommended, but not required, that these students begin prerequisite coursework in the winter semester. This semester may coincide with the semester in which the student is applying for admission to the MHS program. Participation in prerequisite coursework does not guarantee acceptance to the program. 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. For more information, contact the Department at mucsd@health.missouri.edu.
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 on the PRAXIS II Speech-Language Pathology examination is required for graduation from the MHS program in CSD. In addition to serving as the comprehensive examination for masters candidates in CSD, the PRAXIS II is also required for the Certificate of Clinical Competence, for Missouri professional licensure, and for Missouri teacher certification as a speech language specialist. For over 20 years, 100% of all graduates from MU's CSD program have passed this national exam and our mean and median scores are significantly higher than the national averages. In addition, graduates of the program have enjoyed excellent job opportunities upon graduation, with many having more than one job offer before finishing their masters program.
The CSD MHS program at MU is fairly small and selective. Students benefit from a very low student-faculty ratio, close supervision in the MU Speech and Hearing Clinic, and a challenging yet supportive learning environment. Faculty in CSD are easily accessible, and strong student-faculty relationships are easily developed.
The CSD department welcomes all visitors interested in meeting our faculty and students and touring our facilities. If you would like to visit, we recommend that you schedule an appointment by calling the Department office at 573-882-3873 or e-mailing us at mucsd@health.missouri.edu.
Combined MHS/PhD Program
A combined MHS/PhD program is available for students whose goals include advanced study and research in Communication Science and Disorders (see PhD information below). The combined program will take at least five years for students who enter the program with an undergraduate degree in CSD or at least six years if their undergraduate degree is in an outside area. 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 discipline. A doctoral student's program of study will include not only advanced graduate coursework in communication disorders but also in areas complementary to the student's research interests. This additional coursework will be selected 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; doctoral candidates design their programs under the supervision of an advisory committee approved by MU's Graduate School. Progress towards the degree, as well as development and completion of the dissertation, are assisted and supervised by a faculty advisor who is a member of the Doctoral Faculty of the University. As the major research institution in the State of Missouri 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. Students have access to a diversity of educational opportunities and research populations. Additionally, a wide variety of resources across campus are available to enhance graduate coursework, including the humanities, physical and social sciences, the arts, education, and medicine.
For students who have already completed a masters degree in communication disorders, completion of the PhD in Communication Science and Disorders will require 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 masters degree, or have a master's degree in a related field. Their program will be somewhat longer in order to provide a comprehensive education in the discipline. 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.
Page last updated on: August 25, 2009
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