The School of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers three plans of study leading to the Master of Arts degree: the Traditional, Consortium and Accelerated programs.
Each track is intended for those interested in working with children and adults who have communication disorders and is based on the same curriculum and degree requirements but allows students to follow different plans of study. Students enrolled in each track must follow a prescribed sequence of academic and clinical courses.
Each track provides academic and clinical education experiences necessary for certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and 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 https://healthprofessions.ucf.edu/csd/masters/. The Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the ASHA has accredited the Master of Arts Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders 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 re-enforced throughout the academic curriculum. Students who violate the ASHA Code of Ethics may be subject to academic sanctions or dismissed from the program.
The Traditional track is a two-year, full-time face-to-face program (six consecutive semesters, including two summers) for students with undergraduate degrees in communication sciences and disorders or speech-language pathology and audiology. For students with undergraduate degrees in other majors (out-of-field), the program requires additional prerequisite coursework. Students must begin the program in the semester for which they are admitted and must enroll full-time each semester.
The Accelerated track enables highly qualified current UCF undergraduate majors in communication sciences and disorders to achieve a master's degree in the UCF School of Communication Sciences and Disorders graduate program in one less semester than students in the Traditional track. This program is a BA/BS to MA program. Students are able to enroll in graduate-level courses while completing the bachelor's degree.
This program has potential ties to state-regulated professional licensure or certification in the field. For more information on how this program may prepare you in that regard, please visit https://apq.ucf.edu/files/Licensure-Disclosure-CHPS-Communication-Sciences-Disorders-MA.pdf.
Program Prerequisites
- Applicants need to be certified to practice by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), all students must have undergraduate transcript credit, which could include course work, advanced placement, CLEP, or examination equivalency, for each of the following areas: biological sciences, physical sciences, social/behavioral sciences, and statistics. Courses may consist of any number of credits and must be taken outside the discipline.
- All students must complete at least 3 credit hours in statistics with a grade of "C" or better. Undergraduate or graduate course work in statistics is a prerequisite to SPA 6805 - Research in Communicative Disorders.
- The program admits qualified in-field applicants, with an undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders or speech-language pathology and audiology, and out-of-field applicants, with undergraduate degrees in other majors. Out-of-field students require an additional 21 to 27 credit hours of prerequisite course work that may be completed in approximately two semesters once admitted.
Out-of-field students must complete the following undergraduate prerequisite courses or their equivalents once admitted:
- STA 2014 - Principles of Statistics 3 Credit Hours or
- STA 2023 - Statistical Methods I 3 credit hours
- LIN 3716/3716L - Language Development and Lab 5 Credit Hours
- SPA 3101 - Physiological Bases of Speech and Hearing 3 Credit Hours
- SPA 3104 - Neural Bases of Communication 3 Credit Hours
- SPA 3112C - Basic Phonetics and Lab 4 Credit Hours
- SPA 3011 - Speech Science 3 Credit Hours
- SPA 4032 - Audiology 3 Credit Hours
Degree Requirements
Required Courses
39 Total Credits
- Complete the following:
- SPA6204 - Articulation/Phonological Dis (3)
- SPA6211 - Voice and Upper Airway Disorders (3)
- SPA6225C - Fluency Disorders (3)
- SPA6236 - Motor Speech Disorders in Adults and Children (3)
- SPA6327 - Aural Habilitation Rehab (3)
- SPA6410 - Aphasia and Related Disorders (3)
- SPA6474 - Assessment and Management of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations (3)
- SPA6559 - Augmentative and Alternative Communication (3)
- SPA6565 - Feeding and Swallowing Disorders (3)
- SPA6805 - Research in Communicative Disorders (3)
- SPA6417 - Management of Acquired Cognitive/Communication Disorders Across the Lifespan (3)
- SPA6403 - Language Disorders: School-Age through Adolescence (3)
- SPA6402 - Language Disorders: Birth to 5 Years (3)
Clinical Practice
24 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Complete the following:
- SPA6551 - Foundations of Clinical Practice: Level I (1)
- SPA6503 - Foundations of Clinical Practice Level II (1)
- SPA6503L - Found Clinic Practice-II APP (1)
- SPA6553L - Clinical Practice in Differential Diagnosis in Speech and Language Pathology (1)
- SPA6563L - Clinical Practice and Instrumental Diagnostics in Individuals with Dysphagia (1)
- SPA6942 - Foundations of Clinical Practice: Level III (1)
- SPA6942L - Found Clinic Practice-III APP (1)
- SPA6943 - Advanced Clinical Practice Seminar (1)
- Earn at least 2 credits from the following types of courses: Students are required to take both SPA 6503L and SPA 6942L twice.
- Earn at least 14 credits from the following types of courses: SPA 6946 - Clinical Practice
- Supervised clinical practice is an integral part of the graduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders. It provides students with an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to the evaluation and management of individuals with a wide variety of communication disorders. Students complete three clinical practica at the UCF Communication Disorders Clinic and other affiliated facilities, as well as external rotations in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, long-term care facilities, community clinics, and private practices. Through these practica and external rotations, students obtain a minimum of 400 clock hours of supervised clinical experience in accordance with the guidelines outlined by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Clinical practica and external rotations vary in length and do not always coincide with the academic calendar.
Thesis/Nonthesis Option
9 Total Credits
- Complete 1 of the following
Thesis Option- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: SPA 6971 - Thesis
- Earn at least 3 credits from the following types of courses: Elective course selected in consultation with Faculty advisor.
- Thesis hours cannot be counted toward graduation requirements if students fail to complete or successfully defend their thesis. For additional information, thesis students and their advisory committees should refer to the thesis requirements in the UCF Graduate Catalog.
Nonthesis Option- Earn at least 9 credits from the following types of courses: Elective courses selected in consultation with Faculty advisor.
Comprehensive Examination and Clinical Documentation
0 Total Credits
- Please see the Graduate Program Handbook for specific information about the CSD Comprehensive Exam Requirements.
Grand Total Credits: 72
Application Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
The Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders program at UCF participates in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service, known as CSDCAS. Prospective students applying to the Communication Sciences and Disorders MA program at UCF must apply online using the CSDCAS application in addition to the UCF online application. To learn more about the CSDCAS application process, visit http://www.capcsd.org/csdcas-student-page/
Step 1: Complete the CSDCAS application for the UCF program
- Complete CSDCAS Application (https://csdcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login)
- One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended. Transcripts must be sent directly to CSDCAS.
- Official, competitive GRE score (verbal, quantitative, and written) obtained within the last five years. Use GRE CODE for UCF CSDCAS: 7407. (Do not use the "Institution Code" for GRE listed to the right).
- Three (3) letters of recommendation with CSDCAS recommendation forms, preferably two from current or former faculty members. Letters of recommendation cannot be dated more than one year prior to the date of the application deadline.
- A letter of intent describing educational background, professional experiences, future goals, interest in the field, why you want to attend UCF, other related information about your qualifications, and how you will embody and uphold the ASHA Code of Ethics (http://www.asha.org/code-of-ethics/) in your professional career.
- A current resume.
- All CSDCAS supplemental questions. Question can be found on CSDCAS application.
- UCF Graduate Application (supplemental) must be submitted by the deadline in addition to CSDCAS application. Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
- All international students must meet university minimum TOEFL score requirements regardless of language in which the undergraduate program was completed.
Incomplete applications will NOT be reviewed.
All application materials MUST be sent directly to CSDCAS. Materials sent to the university or program and not to CSDCAS will not be accepted. Application materials must be received by CSDCAS no later than October 1st for Spring admission and February 1st for Fall admission.
Students are responsible for their CSDCAS application being complete and verified. FAQ's on starting your CSDCAS application can be found here: https://help.liaisonedu.com/CSDCAS_Applicant_Help_Center/Starting_Your_CSDCAS_Application
In addition to your CSDCAS application, applicants must also submit a UCF application for graduate admission at https://application.graduate.ucf.edu/. Supporting documents (i.e. transcripts, test scores, etc.) do not need to be submitted to UCF directly. University applications must also be submitted by the stated application deadlines.
Admission to the Communication Sciences and Disorders program is granted on a competitive basis. Approximately thirty-five to forty-five (35-45) students are admitted each semester. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. The recent class statistics are listed on the Graduate Program Profile webpage. Additionally, the program reserves the right to deny admission or dismiss a student after admission to the program if, in the judgment of the faculty, the student fails to demonstrate and/or uphold the ASHA Code of Ethics (http://www.asha.org/code-of-ethics/) during coursework and/or practice in the field.
Application Deadlines
| Communication Sciences and Disorders MA | *Fall Priority | Fall | Spring | Summer |
| Domestic Applicants | Jan 15 | Feb 1 | Oct 1 | |
| International Applicants | Dec 1 | Dec 1 | Sep 1 | |
*Applicants who plan to enroll full time in a degree program and who wish to be considered for university fellowships or assistantships should apply by the Fall Priority date.
Financial Information
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowship Information
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
Equipment Fee
Students in the Communication Sciences and Disorders MA Program pay a $90 equipment fee each semester they are enrolled.
Additional Program Costs
The program requires students to pay additional fees for the required background checks, clinic uniform, and registration for the academic/clinical competencies tracking system.
Sample Plan of Study for the Traditional Program
The Traditional MA program requires a prescribed sequence of academic and clinical courses which may vary according to the semester of entry. The following is a sample plan of study.
Semester 1
- SPA 6204 - Articulation/Phonological Dis 3 Credit Hours
- SPA 6541 - Assessment of Language Disorders in Children and Adolescents 3 Credit Hours
- SPA 6542 - Intervention of Language Disorders in Children and Adolescents 3 Credit Hours
- SPA 6805 - Research in Communicative Disorders 3 Credit Hours
- SPA 6551 - Foundations of Clinical Practice: Level I 1 Credit Hours
Semester 2
- SPA 6225C - Fluency Disorders 4 Credit Hours
- SPA 6410 - Aphasia and Related Disorders 3 Credit Hours
- SPA 6559 - Augmentative and Alternative Communication 3 Credit Hours
- SPA 6503 - Foundations of Clinical Practice Level II 1 Credit Hours
- SPA 6503L - Found Clinic Practice-II APP 1 Credit Hours (X 2)
Semester 3
- SPA 6211C - Voice Disorders 4 Credit Hours
- SPA 6327 - Aural Habilitation Rehab 3 Credit Hours
- SPA 6565 - Feeding and Swallowing Disorders 3 Credit Hours
- SPA 6942 - Foundations of Clinical Practice: Level III 1 Credit Hours
- SPA 6942L - Found Clinic Practice-III APP 1 Credit Hours (X 2)
- SPA 6553L - Clinical Practice in Differential Diagnosis in Speech and Language Pathology 1 Credit Hours
Semester 4
- SPA 6236 - Motor Speech Disorders in Adults and Children 3 Credit Hours
- SPA 6474 - Assessment and Management of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations 3 Credit Hours
- SPA 6943C - Clinical Practice Level I 3 Credit Hours
- Elective 3 Credit Hours
- SPA 6563L - Clinical Practice and Instrumental Diagnostics in Individuals with Dysphagia 1 Credit Hours
Semester 5
- SPA 6946 - Clinical Practice: Level II 3 Credit Hours
- Elective 3 Credit Hours
- Elective 3 Credit Hours
Semester 6
- SPA 6946 - Clinical Practice: Level III 10 Credit Hours
Independent Learning
All students in the Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders program engage in independent learning through inquiry, dialogue, and practice. Experiences such as client case studies, scholarly reviews, research projects, clinical practica and external rotations provide students independent learning opportunities to attain knowledge, skills, and professional behaviors. In capstone external rotations, students bridge university classroom and clinic lessons to real-world educational and health-related settings.
Admission Requirements
