Program Description

The graduate program of the Department of Communication Disorders is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The Department of Communication Disorders offers a Master of Science degree.

Communication Disorders majors at the graduate level follow a prescribed program leading to eligibility for national certification in Speech-Language Pathology by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and licensure by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Students wishing to be eligible for West Virginia certification as public school speech-language pathologists must also meet the requirements for such certification. Information regarding licensure in other states can be found on the department's webpage.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should follow the admissions process described in this catalog.

The Department of Communication Disorders at Marshall University is participating in the central application system known as CSDCAS. Applicants will apply online using the CSDCAS application. To learn more about the CSDCAS application process, visit https://www.csdcas.org/.

Completed applications along with all supporting materials, including official transcripts with courses and grades from the preceding term, must be received by the January 15 deadline to receive priority consideration for admission the following fall. Official transcripts must be received by CSDCAS by January 15 for priority consideration. In addition, applicants must also meet the requirements below: 

1. An undergraduate degree (or pending degree) in Communication Disorders from an accepted, accredited institution is required. Students with deficits in undergraduate coursework, or those wishing public school certification, may need to complete additional requirements. Applicants must submit their most recent transcript, including grades for the fall semester that precedes the application deadline. Students admitted to the graduate program will be required to submit final, official transcripts following completion of the undergraduate degree.
2. Applicants with an undergraduate degree in a field other than communication disorders will be required to take foundational/leveling-up courses. Courses which are required include:
   ​a. CD 101 : Introduction to Communication Disorders
   b. CD 228: Language and Speech Development
   c. CD 239: Phonetics
   d. CD 229: Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism
   e. CD 322: Developmental Speech Disorders
   f. CD 328: Developmental Language Disorders
   g. CD 460: Audiology
   h. CD 427: Therapeutics (with 25 hours of observation)
3. An Overall and Communication Disorders Grade Point Average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required for full-time admission. A student may be admitted for provisional enrollment with an overall or Communication Disorders GPA between 2.5 - 3.0 when the applicant possesses a degree and shows academic promise but does not meet the criteria for full admission. Refer to the Graduate College for further explanation of "provisional enrollment."
4. All applicants must submit a personal statement or letter of intent.
5. All applicants must have three individuals, each of whom can comment on the applicant's academic and/or clinical performance and potential, submit letters of recommendation. At least one letter must be from one of the applicant's classroom instructors in communication disorders or other relevant field of study.
6. All completed applications which are "verified" via CSDCAS are reviewed on an ongoing basis in the spring semester each year. Generally, the program receives more applications than exists capacity, therefore, the selection process is competitive.
7. Qualified applicants will be invited to participate in a formal interview with faculty during the spring semester.

Note: Applicants who are selected by the program will receive further instructions from the Communication Disorders Graduate Program Director regarding formal application to Marshall University Graduate College. All admissions are term specific. 

International applicants will be required to submit an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score or an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score in addition to the other requirements described for consideration. The minimum TOEFL scores to be considered for admission must be a Total Score of 105 with the minimum section requirement of "Speaking" of 26; an IELTS score of 7.5 with at least 7.5 on the speaking and listening segment is required. The English requirement is waived for applicants who hold a bachelor's degree from an accepted, accredited college or university in the United States. 

International applicants who hold a bachelor's degree from a college or university outside of the United States must complete their credential evaluation WES International Credential Advantage Package (ICA) from the World Education Services (WES) and have the report sent to CSDCAS. Official or attested transcripts, diplomas and/or other required credentials from all foreign institutions attended may also be required by the Marshall University International Admissions Office, for the determination of GPA, degree level, and course equivalencies. For additional information, visit https://www.marshall.edu/admissions/international/.

Early Assurance Program

The Marshall University Master of Science in Communication Disorders allows high school seniors to apply for acceptance to the Communication Disorders Master of Science Early Assurance program. Successful applicants will have guaranteed admission pending completion of all undergraduate requirements and meeting all Communication Disorders M.S. admission requirements.

Program Requirements

The six-semester (two-year) graduate program is comprised of 36 graduate academic credit hours in addition to 18 graded and 6 CR/NC clinical practicum hours. Academic courses are sequenced to assist students with development of specific knowledge and skill sets. Faculty with extensive clinical expertise assist students as they link academic, research and clinical experiences.

The student and advisor will develop a Plan of Study or blueprint for graduation requirements. If a student has any transfer courses (up to 12 transfer credits may be allowed), a completed Application for Approval to Transfer Graduate Credit to this Plan of Study must be attached. Your advisor or other designee at the Graduate Studies office MUST approve in writing any change in coursework or completion date on this Plan of Study.

A GPA of 3.0 in graduate work is required for graduate students to be considered students in good standing in the program and in the Graduate School, to be admitted to candidacy, and to graduate. To ensure that students have maximal opportunity to achieve and maintain a graduate 3.0 average, graduate course load limits may be placed on students who earn less than a 3.0 during any semester of graduate work. These course load limits may be lifted when the student earns a 3.0 for a semester of graduate work but may be reapplied if the student's work drops below a 3.0 for any subsequent semester. Additional course load restrictions may be applied to students who earn a GPA of less than 3.0 for two or more semesters of work.

Students will construct a comprehensive portfolio demonstrating their acquisition of knowledge and skills required by the Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology. A score of 80% on the portfolio and a score of 80% on the oral defense of the portfolio is required for graduation. Students are also required to take the Speech Language Pathology specialty area exam of the ETS Praxis Series prior to graduation.

Students should consult the department chair, their Communication Disorders academic advisor, and the Graduate Handbook and Clinic Handbook regarding all academic and clinical requirements and standards specific to the program.

Thesis Option

Students in the department may elect the thesis option which will be documented on the Plan of Study. If a student elects this option, the student, in conjunction with their advisor, will amend six hours of course requirements. The student will still be responsible for meeting the knowledge and skills outcomes for those courses. A candidate who writes a thesis will be required to pass an oral examination on the thesis in addition to constructing a comprehensive portfolio with a score of 80%, and taking the Speech Language Pathology Praxis Exam.

The thesis is approved by the major professor and the thesis committee, as well as a final review by the Graduate Studies office or other designee. The thesis must be accepted by the Graduate Studies office or other designee by the published deadline. Please note that IRB approval is required for all theses.