The School of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers an Accelerated BA/BS to MA Track for highly qualified UCF undergraduate majors in communication sciences and disorders that enables them to complete a master's degree in one less semester than students in the Traditional Track.
The program is intended for those interested in working with children and adults who have communication disorders. Once students complete the BA/BS, they must apply and be admitted to the master's degree program and follow a prescribed sequence of academic and clinical courses.
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 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (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.
Track Prerequisites
Undergraduate students enroll in up to 16 credit hours of graduate-level courses while completing the bachelor's degree. This enables students to achieve a master's degree in the UCF School of Communication Sciences and Disorders in one less semester.
Up to 16 credit hours of approved 6000-level courses, with grades of "B" (3.0) or better, may be counted toward the BA/BS and MA degrees. Additional requirements include:
- Adopting the most current catalog for students changing degree programs.
- Earning at least a "B" (3.0) in each undergraduate and graduate course to be counted toward the major.
- Being assessed tuition and fees at the graduate rate for graduate courses.
Undergraduate Requirements
The Shared Courses below may be used to replace:
- SPA 4400 Language Disorders Across the Life Span
- SPA 4476 Speech Disorders Across the Life Span
- SPA 4478 Multicultural Aspects of Communication Disorders and Differences
- SPA 4803 Research Methods in Communication Sciences and Disorders
- SPA 4870 Capstone Course
- one restricted elective in the undergraduate curriculum
Shared Courses
The following is a list of graduate courses that may be used to fulfill degree requirements for both the undergraduate and graduate programs.
- SPA 6204 - Articulation/Phonological Dis 3 Credit Hours
- SPA 6410 - Aphasia and Related Disorders 3 Credit Hours
- SPA 6551 - Foundations of Clinical Practice: Level I 1 Credit Hours
- SPA 6805 - Research in Communicative Disorders 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
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)
- SPA6541 - Assessment of Language Disorders in Children and Adolescents (3)
- SPA6542 - Intervention of Language Disorders in Children and Adolescents (3)
- SPA6417 - Management of Acquired Cognitive/Communication Disorders Across the Lifespan (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)
- SPA6563L - Clinical Practice and Instrumental Diagnostics in Individuals with Dysphagia (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 will repeat 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: Select one 3 credit hour elective course 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: Students will work with Faculty advisor to choose 3 electives to complete this requirement.
Comprehensive Examination and Clinical Documentation
0 Total Credits
- In additional to the coursework and supervised clinical clock hour requirements listed above, satisfactory completion of a School Comprehensive Examination and submission of final clinical documentation, including demonstration of clinical competence and professionalism are required for completion of the master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
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 Accelerated B.A./B.S. to M.A. track in Communication Sciences and Disorders allows highly qualified University of Central Florida undergraduate majors in Communication Sciences and Disorders to begin taking graduate level courses that will count toward their master's degree while completing their baccalaureate degree program. Students apply for admission to the Accelerated Track either in the last semester of their sophomore year or the first semester of their junior year.
To be considered to the Accelerated B.A./B.S. to M.A. track, applicants must submit a hard copy (paper) application for the bachelor's program directly to the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Please contact the school for the appropriate application form and additional documents required.
Following acceptance to the Accelerated B.A./B.S. to M.A. track, an electronic application for admission to the graduate program must be submitted by the application deadline, normally during the senior year of the bachelor's program.
When completing the graduate application, student will follow general UCF graduate application requirements. Applicants to this program must also provide:
- Completed CSDCAS Application (https://csdcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login)
- One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
- 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 current résumé.
- 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.
- 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.
A formal admission decision for the master's program will be made following receipt of the graduate application. Successful completion of the bachelor's degree does not guarantee admission to the master's program. The Communication Sciences and Disorders 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/) in coursework or practice in the field. A background check is required for all new students during their first semester in the master's program.
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.
