- Where can I find a list of all academic programs in communication science?
- Where can I find a list of accredited programs in communication science?
- Where can I find a list of accredited undergraduate programs in communication science?
- Where can I find a graduate program that accepts students with undergraduate majors in fields other than communication science?
- Where can I find a ranking of communication science programs?
- What resources are available for students looking for a master's or doctoral program?
- Does it matter if I attend a communication science program at an unaccredited school?
- What does it mean if a program is "under-review"?
- What can NSSLHA (or ASHA) do if I am having a problem in my academic program?
- Will I be eligible for certification if I earned my bachelors degree at a non-accredited program?
- Do you know of any schools that offer a degree in communications disorders nbsp;online?
- Do you have to get an undergraduate degree in communication science and disorders (CSD) in order to get accepted to an accredited masters program?
- Does the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) have a policy on when graduate schools have to notify you of acceptance?
- What's the difference between a masters in communication science and disorders (CSD) and a masters in speech-language pathology (SLP)?
- Why do we have to take a physical science course?
- Does accreditation vary from state to state? If I want to practice in Arizona would it benefit me to go to college in Arizona?
- Is there a difference between an undergraduate degree in speech and hearing science (SHS) and a degree in communication science & disorders (CSD)?
- Where can I find a list of bi-lingual programs in speech-pathology?
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1. Where can I find a list of all academic programs in communication science?
A complete list of colleges and universities with communication science and disorders degree (or related degree) programs is available through the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Science and Disorders Web site.
2. Where can I find a list of accredited programs in communication science?
A complete list of Accredited CSD Graduate programs is available on the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Web site.
3. Where can I find a list of accredited undergraduate programs in communication science?
Undergraduate programs in communication science are not accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). ASHA only accredites graduate level programs in communication science.
The National Academy of Preprofessional Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (NAPP) is an organization for undergraduate only programs in audiology and speech-language pathology. NAPP represents undergraduate programs in speech-language pathology and audiology. Member institutions must be approved by state and regional or national accreditation agencies, must have speech-language pathology and audiology as identifiable units within the institution, and must not offer graduate-level training programs in speech-language pathology or audiology. Visit NAPP's Web site.
4. Where can I find a graduate program that accepts students with undergraduate majors in fields other than communication science?
Presently, neither NSSLHA (or ASHA) maintain data on graduate programs that accept students with undergraduate degrees in majors other than CSD. To get this information you will have to contact a program directly to request that type of information.
ASHA will launch a new online, on-demand, customized communication sciences and disorders system that features ease in data collection, extraction, reporting features, and data analysis. This system, EdFind, will allow searches by many criteria including undergraduate degrees accepted.
5. Where can I find a ranking of communication science programs?
NSSLHA (or ASHA) does not maintain a "ranking" of CSD programs. Students should plan to visit a program and speak with students in the CSD program, especially local NSSLHA members, to learn more information about the program. Talking to alumni of the program is also helpful.
In addition to the standard questions about the campus life, academic requirements for entry, and the quality of the professors, also consider when talking with other students:
- What is the relationship between the faculty and students?
- What type of assistance does the program provide with financial aid?
- Are there any mentoring opportunities here?
- Does this program provide counseling/services to identify an externship or clinical fellowship position?
- What type of preparation does this program provide for ASHA certification?
- Can I be exposed to clinical and research faculty in this program?
- What type of preparation does this program provide for the Praxis?
- How active is your NSSLHA chapter?
Some programs also host CSD Career Awareness Month activities. This is another opportunity for you to visit the campus and get information from students and professionals about the day-to-day experiences in the field. You will find information on colleges, universities, and organizations hosting CSD Career Awareness Month activities on the NSSLHA Web site.
Finally, NSSLHA has written a publication for students interested in pursuing academic coursework in the communication science and disorder field titled "Communication Science and Disorders Student Survival Guide." This book contains tips, techniques, and information to students from high school to post-graduate successfully navigate the CSD curriculum. Use this publication as a resource for determining which program is the best fit for you.
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6. What resources are available for students looking for a master's or doctoral program?
Students looking for a master's or doctoral program should:
7. Does it matter if I attend a communication science program at an unaccredited school?
It matters only if you are pursuing graduate level coursework in communication science. Graduation from an accredited master's or doctoral level program is a requirement for certification. If you want to be certified to practice in the profession you must attend a graduate program that is accredited by the Council of Academic Accreditation (CAA).
8. What does it mean if a program is "under-review?"
A program that is "under-review" has applied for Council of Academic Accreditation (CAA) and is awaiting a reply. It is acceptable to apply to a program that is listed as "under-review." The CAA works with the academic program to ensure that the academic standards are met and that students graduating from this program will be eligible for ASHA certification upon completion of a master's degree.
You should be cautious of programs that have lost their accreditation. It does not happen often. But it can!
9. What can the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) or the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) do if I am having a problem in my academic program?
Neither NSSLHA (or ASHA) have the authority to intervene in an individual academic matter.
If you are having a problem in your academic program, the first step is to review your university's process for resolving academic disputes. This information is usually available in a student handbook or in the university course guide. It is always best to follow the process that the university has in place when dealing with these matters. Educate yourself on the process first. If information is not available contact the Office of Student Affairs (or its equivalent) on your campus for more information.
Once you have an understanding of the process visit with your program director and work to resolve the problem.
However, if you being asked to participate in unethical behavior OR if you can prove that your faculty is engaging in unethical behavior, then you should contact ASHA immediately. The procedure to file a complaint against a program is available on the ASHA Web site.
10. Will I be eligible for certification if I earned my bachelors degree at a non-accredited school?
In order to practice as a professional audiologist or speech-language pathologist a student must receive a master's degree from an accredited college or university.
A student may pursue an undergraduate degree from any college or university that will prepare them for graduate coursework in the communication sciences.
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11. Do you know of any schools that offer a degree in communications disorders online?
A list of undergraduate online or distance learning courses may be available by contacting The National Academy of Preprofessional Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (NAPP). NAPP is an organization for undergraduate only programs in audiology and speech-language pathology.
12. Do you have to get an undergraduate degree in communication science and disorders (CSD) in order to get accepted to an accredited masters program?
There is a perception that you have to major in CSD as an undergraduate to gain acceptance to a master's program in the field. That is not 100% correct.
There are many graduate–level programs that will accept a student with various degree backgrounds. You are not required to have an undergraduate degree in communication science to be accepted into the major.
13. Does the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) have a policy on when graduate schools have to notify you of acceptance?
ASHA does not have a policy on when graduate schools have to notify students of acceptance. If you have that as a concern you should contact the Office of Admissions or Student Affairs (or its equivalent) at the university where you applied and ask what the policy is for notifying students of admittance.
14. What's the difference between a masters in communication science and disorders (CSD) and a masters in speech-language pathology (SLP)?
A masters in CSD covers a more broader scope of the professions but it really is equivalent to a masters in SLP. For instance, a CSD major may have more courses in audiology (or some other discipline/disorder) than a SLP major. But that is not always the case. To be certain, look at the curriculum (required courses) for the CSD major vs. the SLP major to help make the distinction.
15. Why do we have to take a physical science course?
When the standards for certification were being drafted, information that resulted from the skills validation study, indicated that students did not have a sufficient diverse or rich experience in the basic sciences, including physical science. The Standards Council, the group that wrote the new standards, decided that a course in physical science was necessary. They included it as a requirement in the draft standards that went out for peer review, there were no (or very few) comments in opposition of the requirement and so it was adopted.
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16. Does accreditation vary from state to state? If I want to practice in Arizona would it benefit me to go to college in Arizona?
The Council of Academic Accreditation (CAA) is responsible for "accrediting" college and university programs to prepare students for a professional career as audiologists and speech-language pathologists. Accreditation standards do not vary by state or by academic program.
17. Is there a difference between an undergraduate degree in speech and hearing science (SHS) and a degree in communication science & disorders (CSD)?
There may be a difference in the required and elective coursework offered in an undergraduate SHS program vs. a CSD program. Compare the two curriculums to determine which program offers more coursework/instruction in your specific area of interest.
18. Where can I find a list of bi-lingual programs in speech-pathology?
You will find a list of bilingual programs on the ASHA Web site. A list is also available in the February 06 issue of the NSSLHA Newsletter, NSSLHA Now! [PDF].
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