Communication Sciences and Disorders

Graduate Program

Who Should Apply?

1) Students with an undergraduate degree in communication disorders may complete the training program in two academic years of full-time study (six semesters). While it is possible to fulfill some of the requirements to earn a master’s degree as a part-time student, it is usually necessary to plan for at least one year of full-time study.

2) Students with a bachelor’s degree in a non-communication disorders field can still apply to the graduate program as pre-requisite students. The department accepts a limited number of pre-requisite applicants each year. Required documents for admission include all of the materials listed for the Master’s program, i.e., application, three letters of reference, GRE scores, and official transcript. Students must also apply to the UK Graduate School.

Prerequisite coursework must be completed before graduate-level courses are taken. Traditionally, applicants take these courses in their first year as graduate students once they have been accepted into the program. The pre-requisite program takes three academic years (eight semesters) to complete with the student taking the pre-requisite or “leveling” courses during the first academic year. Since our graduate program is competitive and we have a limited number of slots for admissions, students should have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and a minimum score of 300 V+Q on the GRE. The deadline for receipt of applications is February 1. If you have additional questions about admission to the graduate program as a pre-requisite student, contact Dr. Deem at jfdeem1@uky.edu.

Completion of a graduate degree in speech-language pathology is required for national certification and state licensure, as well as for teaching certification in most states. Most graduate programs require 1 1/2 to 2 years of full-time study to complete. Participation in UK’s graduate program, or any other program around the state or country, is very competitive. Most programs will require a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 to be considered for admission.

Prerequisite course work required of students who do not have a Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders:

CD 285	Clinical Phonetics	3
CD 378	Anatomy & Physiology	3
CD 402	Speech & Hearing Science	3
CD 410	Language Development Across the Lifespan	3
CD 420	Audiology	3
CD 481	Clinical Methods	3
CD 571	Neural Bases	3
CD 591	Aural Rehabilitation	3

Requirements of the Graduate Program

Course	Title	Credits
CD 621	Alternative & Augmentative Communication	3
CD 647	Language Disorders in Dev. Young Individuals	3
CD 648	Language Disorders in School-Age Populations	3
CD 654	Clinical Orientation	3
CD 657	Clinical Practicum	2
CD 659	Clinical Rotation in 3 sites VA or Adult Site School or Child Site AHEC Site	21-30
CD 661	Phonological Development & Disorders	3
CD 670	Voice Disorders	3
CD 675	Low Incidence Disorders	3
CD 677	Aphasia and Related Disorders	3
CD 701	Research Methods in CD	3
CD 710	Cognitive Communication Disorders	3
CD 744	Adult Swallowing and Motor Speech	3
CD 745	Pediatric Feeding and Motor Speech	3
CD 748	Thesis (Optional)	0
CD 768	Thesis (Optional) (Residence Credit)	6
XXX	Electives	1

Program Outcome Data

The Master's program in Communication Sciences and Disorders tracks progress of its graduates on several outcome measures. We are happy to report that:

Program Graduates Employed in the Profession within 1 Year of Graduation*

Academic Year	Number of Graduates	Percent Employed
2011-12	29	84
2010-11	27	96
2009-10	28	96
2008-09	26	100
2007-08	20	100
5 Year Average		95

*includes graduates enrolling in a doctoral program

Praxis Examination Pass Rates

Academic Year Graduated	Number Taking Exam	Number Passing Exam	Pass Rate (%)
2011-12	29	29	100
2010-11	27	27	100
2009-10	28	28	100
2008-09	26	25	96
2007-08	20	20	100
5 Year Average			99

Program Completion Rates for Master’s Program

Academic Year	Completed on Time	Completed Late	Did Not Complete	Percent Completing
2011-12	29	0	0	100
2010-11	27	0	0	100
2009-10	28	0	0	100
2008-09	26	0	1	96
2007-08	20	0	0	100
5 Year Average				99

Admission Criteria

Prospective graduate students need to recognize that admission to our graduate program is very selective. We only accept a limited number of students each year. While the minimum admission requirements are a 3.0 GPA out of a possible 4.0 and a GRE (verbal & quantitative) score of 300, the average GPA of students selected for our program is 3.5 and the average GRE (verbal & quantitative) score is 304. Students should also understand that many factors besides GPA and GRE go into the admission decision for the successful applicant. All applications are reviewed for non-academic factors that suggest success in graduate education and evidence of professionalism. These factors include, but are not limited to, interpersonal qualities, integrity, a well-defined sense of responsibility, and experiences in health care settings with individuals of diverse backgrounds. The admissions committee carefully reviews letters of recommendation, personal essays, and work and volunteer experiences for these important non-academic factors.

Application Procedures

Prospective Students: Please click here for application instructions to UK’s Program in Communication Sciences & Disorders.

Advising

When a student is accepted into the graduate program, the Director of Graduate Studies forwards a letter of acceptance to the student. At that time, the student is provided the name of the academic advisor from among the CD faculty.