2019-2020 Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog [Archived Catalog]
Department of Communication Science and Disorders (CSD)
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Master of Arts and Master of Science Degrees in Communication Science and Disorders
The Communication Science and Disorders program provides students with a specialized academic education in communication processes and disorders, including disorders of speech, language, swallowing, and hearing. It includes the knowledge and skills needed to critically evaluate empirical research, and clinical expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of individuals having communicative disorders.
The master’s degree program has two concentrations: one in speech-language pathology, and one in audiology. There is also an option for meeting public school practice requirements. For students interested in the clinical practice degree in audiology, please see the section on the Doctor of Audiology (AuD) degree in this bulletin.
A research track (resulting in the Master of Science degree) in audiology and speech-language pathology is also available.
The Masters degree programs in speech-language pathology and audiology at the University of Pittsburgh are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
Contact Information
Department of Communication Science and Disorders
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
6035 Forbes Tower
412-383-6543
Email: csdadmissions@shrs.pitt.edu
http://www.shrs.pitt.edu/CSD/
General Admission Requirements (CSD MA/MS) Degree
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Applicants who do NOT have a CSD major will need to satisfactorily complete the prerequisite coursework listed below.
- A minimum overall and prerequisite GPA of 3.0 is required. However, a GPA of 3.5 or higher is srongly recommended.
- A grade below C- in a CSD major or prerequisite course is not acceptable and must be repeated.
- Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for admission may be considered if strong evidence of their ability to complete a graduate program is provided.
- Ability to satisfactorily perform all of the technical standards required for this profession.
- Graduate Record Examination scores (GRE-general). The GRE must be within the past 5 years.
Prerequisite Coursework
Applicants should have a minimum of one 3-credit course in each of the following topic areas:
- Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing
- Language Development
- Speech and Hearing Science
- Transcription Phonetics
- Linguistics
ASHA Requirements
Please note that, in order to be eligible for clinical certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, you must meet the standards specified by the Association’s Council for Clinical Certification. This includes satisfactory completion of at least one 3-credit course in each of the following areas prior to starting the graduate program: Biological Sciences (Human Biology, Anatomy & Physiology), Physical Sciences (Physics, Chemistry), Behavorial Sciences (Sociology, Psychology), Statistics (not research design).
Information for International Applicants
All international degrees will need a credential evaluation. We only accept a 4-year bachelor’s degree or an international degree that is equivalent as determined by one of the following transcript evaluators: International Consultants of Delaware, Educational Credential Evaluators Inc., or Joseph Silny & Associates. We do NOT accept evaluations by World Education Services (WES). The program’s foreign transcript policies do not apply to study abroad coursework that is itemized on a US college or university transcript (study abroad is processed in the same way as US coursework). International applicants who have earned an undergraduate or graduate degree in the United States do not need a transcript evaluation.
International applicants whose native language is not English must complete a test of English Language Proficiency within 12 months of the due date of the application. Applicants from Quebec Province are required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores; all other Canadian applicants are exempt from the English language proficiency requirement.
Your application for admission will not be reviewed until your credential evaluation and TOEFL scores are received by CSDCAS.
Graduate students must have a 3.000 cumulative GPA to be eligible to graduate.
Graduate students who have completed at least 9 credits and whose cumulative GPA falls below a 3.000 will be placed on academic probation and will receive written notification of this status. At this point, it is the student’s responsibility to meet with his or her adviser. In order to be removed from academic probation, the student will need to achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.000 within his or her next two terms of study. Failure to do so may subject the student to immediate dismissal from the program. Students who fail to demonstrate progress toward meeting graduation requirements in a timely manner may be placed on academic probation or be dismissed from the program.
Doctor of Clinical Science (CScD) Degree in Medical Speech-Language Pathology
The CScD is an advanced clinical doctorate recommended for the student or clinician seeking to employ state of the art clinical excellence and leadership as a speech-language pathologist in settings such as modern primary, tertiary, or rehabilitation medical centers and academic institutions.
The primary objectives of the CScD program are to provide students with advanced academic course work, clinical skills, case-based learning experiences, medical team rotations, and extensive mentored clinical practice. Graduates of this program will excel in their medical specialties and assume leadership roles. Graduates will be prepared for independent clinical practice in the medical setting and clinical faculty positions.
Students are expected to meet the eligibility requirements for application for both American Speech Language and Hearing Association certification (Certificate of Clinical Competence CCC-SLP) and Pennsylvania state licensure over the course of their studies. There is no dissertation project required for the CScD degree; however, students will demonstrate expertise in the critical analysis and application of scientific information.
Contact Information
CSD Administrator
Department of Communication Science and Disorders
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
6035 Forbes Tower
412-383-6543
Fax: 412-383-6555
Email: csdadmissions@shrs.pitt.edu
www.shrs.pitt.edu/csd
Admission Requirements
A SLP MS/MA is required in order to fulfill the clinical component of this program.
Once your application is complete, it will be forwarded to the CSD Department for review by the CScD Admissions Committee.
Applicants will be required to participate in interviews addressing content knowledge and discussions of the program.
The department has an application deadline of January 1st to begin the program the following summer term. All application materials must be received by the SHRS Admissions office (4020 Forbes Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15260) by the deadline. Applicants are encouraged to apply early due to the length of time required to secure a clinical position. Rolling admissions means the department will review and admit qualified applicants until a class is full.
All applicants considering the CScD must email CSD admissions before starting the application process.
Students with master’s or doctoral degrees in speech-language pathology (with or without a completed clinical fellowship) may apply for advanced academic and clinical standing. All students must complete a minimum of 87 credits to satisfy didactic and clinical requirements for this degree. 8 credits of advanced standing toward CSD 2520 will be awarded to those entering the program with their Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). No more than one-third of the total number of required credits (87) may be granted to a student as transfer credit for work done at another institution. These credits must be appropriate substitute coursework taken beyond what was required for the MA/MS degree. Where a course and/or clinical/teaching experience is/are being considered as a substitute for a CScD requirement, the candidate must show evidence of having attained the CScD course objectives. The request will be considered by the CScD Plan of Study Committee. Approval by both members of the committee, as well as the course instructor of record (for CScD courses), are required for approval of the course substitute.
A successful applicant will be offered conditional admission contingent upon:
- Securing a half time clinical position as a speech-language pathologist in a facility with which the academic department has a working relationship. The department will help locate possible positions, but it is the responsibility of the candidate to successfully secure the position following normal hiring practices at the specific facility.
- Engaging in unsupervised clinical practice in Pennsylvania. To engage in unsupervised clinical practice, you must obtain a Pennsylvania state license or provisional license in speech-language pathology.
- Please be advised that maintenance of the clinical practice above and the State License are mandatory throughout your time in the program. Failure to maintain these requirements is grounds for dismissal from the program, as they are essential components of the academic program.
All applicants are advised to ensure that they meet the certification and licensing requirements before applying to the program. Queries must be addessed by ASHA or the PA State Board - the University of Pittsburgh cannot address these queries.
University of Pittsburgh SHRS requires that applicants have the equivalent of a master’s degree in Communication Science and Disorders from a regionally accredited institution in the US.
Graduate students must have a 3.000 cumulative GPA to be eligible to graduate.
Graduate students who have completed at least 9 credits and whose cumulative GPA falls below a 3.000 will be placed on academic probation and will receive written notification of this status. At this point, it is the student’s responsibility to meet with his or her adviser. In order to be removed from academic probation, the student will need to achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.000 within his or her next two terms of study. Failure to do so may subject the student to immediate dismissal from the program. Students who fail to demonstrate progress toward meeting graduation requirements in a timely manner may be placed on academic probation or be dismissed from the program.
Doctor of Audiology (AuD) Degree
The primary objective of the AuD program is to provide students with the academic course work, clinical skills, and experience (beyond that obtained with the master’s degree) needed to enter the professional community and assume independent leadership roles. Graduates will be prepared for independent clinical practice and academic positions upon graduation, and will be immediately eligible for professional licensure and for Certification from the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association and American Board of Audiology Certification.
The AuD is the required entry-level degree for audiologists. This AuD program prepares entry-level audiologists to assume independent clinical and leadership roles within the professional communities of the region, state, and nation.
The Doctor of Audiology degree education program in audiology at the University of Pittsburgh is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
Contact Information
CSD Administrator
Department of Communication Science and Disorders
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
6035 Forbes Tower
412-383-6543
Fax: 412-383-6555
E-mail: csdadmissions@shrs.pitt.edu
www.shrs.pitt.edu/aud/
General Admission Requirements AuD Degree
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Applicants who do NOT have a CSD major will need to satisfactorily complete the prerequisite coursework listed below.
- A minimum overall and prerequisite GPA of 3.0 is required. However, a GPA of 3.5 or higher is srongly recommended.
- A grade below C- in a CSD major or prerequisite course is not acceptable and must be repeated.
- Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for admission may be considered if strong evidence of their ability to complete a graduate program is provided.
- Ability to satisfactorily perform all of the technical standards required for this profession.
- Graduate Record Examination scores (GRE-general). The GRE must be within the past 5 years.
Prerequisite Coursework
Applicants should have a minimum of one 3-credit course in each of the following topic areas:
- Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing
- Language Development
- Speech and Hearing Science
- Transcription Phonetics
- Linguistics
ASHA Requirements
Please note that, in order to be eligible for clinical certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, you must meet the standards specified by the Association’s Council for Clinical Certification. This includes satisfactory completion of at least one 3-credit course in each of the following areas prior to starting the graduate program: Biological Sciences (Human Biology, Anatomy & Physiology), Physical Sciences (Physics, Chemistry), Behavorial Sciences (Sociology, Psychology), Statistics (not research design).
Information for International Applicants
All international degrees will need a credential evaluation. We only accept a 4-year bachelor degree or those international degrees that are equivalent as determined by one of the following transcript evaluators: International Consultants of Delaware, Educational Credential Evaluators Inc., or Joseph Silny & Associates. We do NOT accept evaluations by World Education Services (WES). The program’s foreign transcript policies do not apply to study abroad coursework that is itemized on a US college or university transcript (study abroad is processed in the same way as US coursework). International applicants who have earned an undergraduate or graduate degree in the United States do not need a transcript evaluation.
International applicants whose native language is not English must complete a test of English Language Proficiency within 12 months of the due date of the application. Applicants from Quebec Province are required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores; all other Canadian applicants are exempt from the English language proficiency requirement.
Your application for admission will not be reviewed until your credential evaluation and TOEFL scores are received by CSDCAS.
Graduate students must have a 3.000 cumulative GPA to be eligible to graduate.
Graduate students who have completed at least 9 credits and whose cumulative GPA falls below a 3.000 will be placed on academic probation and will receive written notification of this status. At this point, it is the student’s responsibility to meet with his or her adviser. In order to be removed from academic probation, the student will need to achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.000 within his or her next two terms of study. Failure to do so may subject the student to immediate dismissal from the program. Students who fail to demonstrate progress toward meeting graduation requirements in a timely manner may be placed on academic probation or be dismissed from the program.
Academic Standards
In addition to following the University-wide academic rules and regulations as detailed in the General Academic Regulations section of this bulletin, the AuD program is regulated by the SHRS Academic Standards, as well as the departmental Student Handbook on Academic and Clinical Requirements.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Communication Science and Disorders
Contact Information
CSD Administrator
Department of Communication Science and Disorders
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
6035 Forbes Tower
412-383-6543
Fax: 412-383-6555
E-mail: csdadmissions@shrs.pitt.edu
www.shrs.pitt.edu/aud/
The PhD program in Communication Science and Disorders is oriented toward the basic scientific questions in the discipline, with an emphasis on basic and applied research.
The expectations of graduating PhD students are that they are able to conduct a program of independent, creative, scholarly research, and that they can plan and execute effective teaching at all levels of pedagogy.
Admission Requirements
Applicants will apply online using the SHRS Apply Yourself application. It is the responsibility of the applicant to complete all admission requirements prior to enrollment.
Applicants should submit their GRE scores to institution code 2927. For PhD applicants who have taken the GRE 5-10 years prior to their application, the Communication Science and Disorders PhD program will accept a copy of the official GRE scores that were sent to the applicant. After 10 years, all applicants will need to retake the examination.
For PhD applicants who completed a graduate program in the Communication Science and Disorders Department at the University of Pittsburgh, the only official transcript required at the time of application for the PhD program is the transcript that confirms completion of the first CSD graduate degree.
No one will be admitted to the CSD PhD program without a suitable adviser in their main area of specialization. Thus, anyone interested in PhD education is encouraged to contact individual faculty members whose research interests mesh most closely with theirs.
PhD applications are due by January 15th. Applicants will be interviewed by faculty members as part of the admissions process. A final admission decision depends on the availability of a suitable research adviser and a review and recommendation by the PhD Admisions Committee.
Foreign transcript evaluation must be completed by International Consultants of Delaware, Educational Credential Evaluators Inc., or Joseph Silney & Associates. We do NOT accept transcript evaluations by World Education Services (WES). The program’s foreign transcript policies do not apply to study abroad coursework that is itemized on a US college or university transcript (study abroad is processed in the same way as US coursework).
International applicants must also submit official TOEFL scores. Your application for admission will not be reviewed until your credential evaluation and TOEFL scores are received by CSDCAS.
Financial Aid
Acceptance into the PhD program does not guarantee financial aid, but each admitted student is automatically put into a merit-based competition for available teaching assistantships, doctoral traineeships, and positions on research grants. Financial assistance is often available from a variety of sources, including teaching assistantships, PhD traineeships, and graduate research assistantships. Such appointments typically require 20 hours each week of teaching, research, and/or clinical service in exchange for a monthly stipend. A scholarship based on merit covers at least partial tuition remission, fees, and health insurance. The Department’s Financial Aid Committee works with each admitted student’s adviser to secure a funding opportunity that is rewarding both academically and financially. Prospective applicants who are interested in financial support should indicate this on their application for admission.
ProgramsDoctoralMaster’s
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