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Program at a Glance

Program
Master
College(s)
College of Health Professions and Sciences
Department(s)
Comm Sci & Disorders, Schl of
2
Years
U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges - Most Innovative 2025

The MA in Communication Sciences and Disorders is intended for those interested in working with children and adults who have communication disorders. The School of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers a traditional plan of study for full-time students with undergraduate degrees in communication sciences and disorders or speech-language pathology and audiology. In addition to the traditional plan of study, three tracks in the MA in Communication Sciences and Disorders are also offered: Accelerated, Consortium and Out of Field tracks. All programs are offered face-to-face on the Orlando campus, but each has unique admission requirements and sequencing of courses based on the student's academic and professional background. Students must begin the program in the semester for which they are admitted and must follow the prescribed sequence of academic and clinical courses outlined in the catalog for that track.

Each track provides academic and clinical education experiences necessary for certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the Florida Department of Education, and licensure by the state of Florida. For information on how this program may prepare students for professional licensure, please visit here.

The ASHA Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) has accredited the Master of Arts Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at UCF since 1986.

The Communication Sciences and Disorders program strives to educate students to become successful practitioners in the field of speech-language pathology. To that end, the ASHA Code of Ethics is reinforced throughout the academic curriculum. Violations of the ASHA Code of Ethics are grounds for academic sanctions or dismissal from the program.

The Traditional program is a full-time cohort program (six consecutive semesters, including two summers) for students with undergraduate degrees in communication sciences and disorders or speech-language pathology and audiology. Students with undergraduate degrees in other majors (out of field) should apply to the Out of Field track to complete additional undergraduate prerequisite coursework.

The Accelerated (BA/BS to MA) requires full-time enrollment and enables highly qualified current UCF undergraduate students in Communication Sciences and Disorders to share one semester of courses between the undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Students enroll in graduate-level courses in the final semester of their undergraduate program to satisfy the bachelor's degree requirements. If admitted to the master's program, they are allowed to use those courses toward the master's degree.

The Out of Field track is a full-time cohort program for students who do not have a bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders or a related field or those who have not completed the necessary discipline-specific undergraduate prerequisite classes. It requires two semesters of undergraduate courses in addition to the graduate curriculum requirements and is typically completed in eight consecutive semesters.

This program prepares students for state-regulated professional licensure or certification. For more information on how this program may prepare you in that regard, please view the licensure disclosure for the Communication Sciences and Disorders MA program.

SLP working with patient

Highlights

Ranked #55 by U.S. News and World Report for graduate CSD programs
The SLP profession is projected to grow 25% over the next 10-years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The median annual wage for speech-language pathologists was $80,480 in May 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Application Deadlines

Fall
January 15
Spring
October 1

Application deadlines subject to change, see the Graduate Studies website for up-to-date deadlines.

Ready to get started?

Course Overview

Articulation/Phonological Disorders

Build a foundation of clinical terminology related to articulation and phonological disorders and the characteristics of these different conditions and the different assessments used in diagnosis.

Explore both the normal and abnormal anatomical and physiological processes of voice production to integrate as part of a medical team to make accurate diagnoses and create the proper treatment approach.

Analyze different neurogenic communication disorders, including aphasia and acquired cognitive-communication disorders associated with traumatic brain injury, right hemisphere damage, dementia and other neurogenic conditions.

Analyze different neurogenic communication disorders, including aphasia and acquired cognitive-communication disorders associated with traumatic brain injury, right hemisphere damage, dementia and other neurogenic conditions.

Learn about current evidence-based practices related to interventions that meet the personal, social, academic and vocational needs of children and adolescents with developmental language disorders across clinical settings.

Examine the evaluation and management of feeding and swallowing disorders in children and adults to differentiate normal aspects of swallowing, the impact of various diseases and disorders on swallowing function, and clinical management of patients with dysphagia including assessment, treatment and ethical aspects of care.

Rachel Williams photo

I am so appreciative for the mentorship that I received from the faculty in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders as I went through the master’s program. Their motivation and support continue to inspire me as I teach and supervise my own students today. I am forever grateful to UCF." ”

— Rachel M. Williams '96MA, PhD, CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow

Communication Sciences and Disorders Skills You'll Learn

  • Learn to evaluate and diagnose speech, language, communication and swallowing disorders.
  • Develop skills to help you treat speech, language, communication and swallowing disorders.
  • Gain experience in developing research questions and interpreting research to build knowledge and to foster critical thinking skills.
  • Work collaboratively with other professionals, caregivers and community members.

SLP Career Settings

  • Early Intervention
  • Schools
  • Rehab hospitals
  • Children’s hospitals
  • VA or military hospital
  • Private practice/ outpatient care
  • Assisted living facilities
  • Acute care
  • Voice care for performers

Admission Requirements

The UCF master’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders program admits twice per year, in the Fall and Spring semesters. We are one of the few programs in Florida to offer a Spring admission (applications due Oct. 1). Students applying to the Fall semester are encouraged to apply early (by January). We utilize the central application system of CSDCAS.

To apply to the Master’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders program, you must:

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