2024-2025 Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog
Department of Communication Science and Disorders (CSD)
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Return to: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
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, hearing and balance. 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 educational certification requirements to be a speech-language pathologist in Pennsylvania schools. 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 speech-language pathology is also available for students electing to do a master’s thesis.
The Master’s degree programs in speech-language pathology and the AuD program in audiology at the University of Pittsburgh are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA), Address: 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, MD 20850. Phone: 800-498-2071. Website: https://caa.asha.org/.
Contact Information CSD Department
Department of Communication Science and Disorders
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
5012 Forbes Tower
412-383-6543
Website: http://www.shrs.pitt.edu/CSD/
Contact Information for Admissions
Email: csdadmissions@shrs.pitt.edu
Administrator of Admissions for master’s degree Programs: 412-383-3938
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 strongly 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.
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
In order to be eligible for clinical certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), you must meet the standards specified by Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CFCC). 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 or Chemistry), Behavioral Sciences (Sociology, Psychology), and Statistics (not research design). These requirements must be met before students enroll in the MA/MS program courses.
Students enrolling in the speech-language pathology program must complete at least 25 total hours of guided clinical observation to be eligible for clinical certification by CFCC. Prior to beginning the MA/MS SLP program courses students must complete a minimum of 15 of the total 25 observation hours.
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: Educational Credential Evaluators Inc. or 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 (Duolingo, IELTS, or TOEFL) within 12 months of the due date of the application. Applicants from Quebec Province are required to submit English Language Proficiency 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 English Language Proficiency scores have been received.
Graduate students must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA to be eligible to graduate.
Graduate students who have completed at least 9 credits and whose cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0 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 their advisor. To be removed from academic probation, the student will need to achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.000 within their next two terms of study. Failure to do so may result in the student’s 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 master’s degree program is regulated by the SHRS Academic Standards, as well as the departmental Student Handbook on Academic and Clinical Requirements.
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 medical centers, private practices, educational settings, 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, leadership skills, and knowledge and skill in supervision. Graduates of this program will excel in their 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-Hearing Association certification (Certificate of Clinical Competence CCC-SLP) and appropriate 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
5012 Forbes Tower
412-383-6543
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 15th to begin the program the following fall term. All application materials must be received by the deadline. 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.
All applicants are advised to ensure that they meet the certification and licensing requirements before applying to the program.
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 be a licensed audiologist, enter the professional community and assume independent leadership roles. The AuD is the required entry-level degree for audiologists. 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.
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 (CAA). Address: 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, MD 20850. Phone: 800-498-2071. Website: https://caa.asha.org/.
Contact Information CSD Department
Department of Communication Science and Disorders
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
5012 Forbes Tower
412-383-6543
Website: http://www.shrs.pitt.edu/CSD/
Contact Information for Admissions
Email: csdadmissions@shrs.pitt.edu
Administrator of Admissions for AuD Program: 412-383-3938
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 strongly 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
In order to be eligible for clinical certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), you must meet the standards specified by the Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CFCC). 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), Behavioral 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: Educational Credential Evaluators Inc. or 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 (Duolingo, IELTS, or TOEFL) within 12 months of the due date of the application. Applicants from Quebec Province are required to submit English Language Proficiency 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 English Language Proficiency scores have been received.
Graduate students must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA to be eligible to graduate.
Graduate students who have completed at least 9 credits and whose cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0 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 3.0 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 Academic Handbook for SLP MA/MS and AuD Degree Students.
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
5012 Forbes Tower
412-383-6543
E-mail: csdadmissions@shrs.pitt.edu
Website: 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 GradCAS application.
No one will be admitted to the CSD PhD program without a suitable advisor 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 Admissions Committee.
International applicants must provide English Language Proficiency scores (Duolingo, IELTS or TOEFL) and an academic credential evaluation from Educational Credential Evaluators Inc. or World Education Services (WES).
Submission of GRE scores to institution code 2927 is optional.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to complete all admission requirements prior to enrollment.
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 advisor 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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