College: Communication & Information Degree: MS Limited Access: Yes Contact: Jennifer Kekelis Address: 201 W. Bloxham, Warren Building Tallahassee, FL 32306-1200 Phone: (850) 644-2253 Email: jennifer.kekelis@cci.fsu.edu
NEW for the Fall 2021 Admissions Cycle
FSU is waiving the GRE requirement for most programs. This includes the Master’s in Communication Science & Disorders program. Students may submit scores with their application but it is not required. There will be no penalty for not submitting scores and no extra credit will be given should scores be submitted.
HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE & SMALL CLASS SIZES
Our main-campus graduate program provides advanced study in speech-language pathology for students preparing for professional careers in clinical, research and teaching environments.
Our program provides students with the skills necessary to work in a variety of settings such as schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing care facilities, and private practices. Through core classes, individualized elective options, and clinical experiences both within our in-house clinic and out in the Tallahassee community, our students obtain the highest level of preparation for their future career as speech-language pathologists.
Accreditation statement: The School of Communication Science and Disorders’ Master of Science (both residential and Distance Learning) education program in speech-language pathology at Florida State University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
A master’s degree is the minimum educational level for entrance into the profession, and graduate-level training is required for professional specialization and fulfillment of requirements for national certification, state licensure, and state teacher certification.
Professionals in the field work in many settings such as schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing care facilities, industry, government health facilities, research laboratories, and private practice. Although regulations differ, most states require licensure for all employment settings except in the public schools or federal agencies. In addition to practicing directly with persons having disorders, professionals may pursue research, teach, or enter into administration of programs and agencies in the field.
Students in our program will take their required core classes in their first two semesters at FSU, while gaining clinical practicum experience in the FSU Speech and Hearing Clinic with clients. Starting in the summer of their first year, students will choose from our offered electives for the following three semesters. Students will begin their school and community practicum in the Fall and Spring semester of their second year out in the community. The final semester is a full-time internship where the student can choose their placement from a large variety of clinical sites located throughout the United States.
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Program's Courses
Core courses (12 credits)
SPA4242: Speech and Swallowing Disorders
SPA5460: Developmental Communication Disorders
SPA 5254: Neuro-based Communication Disorders
SPA 5462: School Age Issues
Elective Courses (21 credits)
Different electives are offered each semester depending on instructor availability and student interest. Here is a list of possible electives:
5204: Artic & Phonological Disorders
5554: Counseling in SLP
5211: Voice Disorders
5559: Augmentative Comm. Systems
5225: Fluency Disorders
5564: Communication & Aging
5230: Motor Speech Disorders
5565: Seminar in Dysphagia
5322: Advanced Aural Rehab
5646: Speech & Lang of Hearing Impaired
5401: Comm Intervention: Infants & Preschoolers
6231: Seminar in Neuropathology
5403: LLD in School-Aged Children
6825: Seminar in Speech-Language Pathology
5432: Autism & Severe Comm. Disorders
6930: Special Topics Seminar (e.g., grant courses)
5436: Nature of Autism
5522: Medical Speech-Language Pathology
Clinical Coursework (5 credits)
SPA5055 Professional Tools 1 & 2
SPA 5553 Seminar in Clinical Differential Diagnosis
FSU is waiving the GRE requirement for most programs. This includes the Master’s in Communication Science & Disorders program. Students may submit scores with their application but it is not required. There will be no penalty for not submitting scores and no extra credit will be given should scores be submitted.
Eligibility Requirements
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. The following are minimum requirements:
A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college/university.
An upper division cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Your upper division GPA is comprised of the grades of the courses you take in the semester where you complete your 60th credit hour and forward. A GPA calculator can help you determine your upper division GPA. You do not need to send us your calculated GPA.
Prerequisite coursework in Communication Science and Disorders.
For information about prerequisite courses, see information about the Bridge Program. Please note that admission to the Bridge Program or any other Prerequisite Program does not guarantee admission to the Graduate Program in Communication Science and Disorders.
Master’s Program Admissions Process
Note: Applicants may only apply to one graduate program in the School of Communication Science and Disorders per academic year.
Admission to the master’s program is contingent upon meeting the Florida State University policy on admission for graduate study. Academic standards, residence, transfer credits, and time limits are in accordance with regulations of the university. We admit students to our graduate program for fall semester only.
Deadline: January 15. Admissions decisions will be sent via email to the email address included in your application by the end of March.
ATTN: We will no longer be accepting applications through CSDCAS starting with the 2019-2020 application cycle. All applications must be submitted through FSU’s Graduate Application Portal.
All application materials including transcripts, test scores, and supporting documents must be received by Florida State University by the application deadline. We cannot guarantee your application will be reviewed if we do not have all documents and test scores.
Official transcripts from every university, college, or institution you have attended must be sent to the following address:
School of Communication Science & Disorders
ATTN: Jennifer Kekelis
201 W Bloxham St
Tallahassee, FL 32306-1200
International applicants: Degrees from foreign institutions must have an appropriate evaluation service complete an evaluation, which should then be sent to the School. A list of acceptable services can be found here. All academic records that are not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
After completing the University Application, you will be directed to pay the $30 non-refundable FSU application fee.
The following supporting documents must be submitted to the online application AFTERsubmission of the application and payment is received:
Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Statement of Intent (see below)
Three letters of recommendation (academic references from your instructors and/or professors are preferred but references may be professional)
Names and addresses of your recommenders should be entered into the appropriate section of the University Application. You should have already contacted your recommenders about writing letters on your behalf. Each of your recommendation providers must fill out an online form and upload a copy of the recommendation letter to the online application. Do NOT send letters to the School or agree to relay your own letters of recommendation.
The following supporting documents must be sent separately and cannot be uploaded to the online application:
Test scores must be from within 5 years of the time of application.
All test scores should be sent from ETS electronically to the Office of Admissions using FSU School code 5219.
We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 weeks for FSU to process score reports once they have been sent.
Once you have applied, you can check the status of your application in Application Status Check.
Statement of Intent prompt:
Please write no more than 8,000 characters (including spaces). This is equivalent to about 2.5 pages in 12 pt font with 1 inch margins. Your letter should address the following questions. You can and should address other aspects of your professional and clinical development. Please address your personal statement/letter of intent to the SCSD Admissions Committee.
1. Describe how you became interested in studying speech-language pathology.
2. Describe what you have done to gain understanding and/or experience in the clinical practice of speech-language pathology, e.g. extracurricular activity, coursework, service learning, employment.
3. Discuss the aspects of the graduate program in speech-language pathology at Florida State University that make it a good match for your learning and professional goals.
Describe your qualities/attributes/qualifications that make you a good prospect as a graduate student in speech-language pathology at Florida State University and after graduation as a practicing speech-language pathologist.
