MASTER OF ARTS
in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Master’s Program Goals
Goal 1:
To prepare speech-language pathologists who have the knowledge and skills to provide
quality services to diverse populations in a variety of settings for individuals with communication disorders across the lifespan.
Goal 2: To prepare speech-language pathologists who will conduct themselves ethically and professionally.
Goal 3: To prepare speech-language pathologists to work collaboratively with other professionals.
Goal 4: To prepare speech-language pathologists who will advocate for individuals with communication disorders as well as for appropriate prevention, assessment and intervention services in a variety of settings.
Goal 5: To provide graduates with the knowledge and skills to seek and find appropriate employment.
Goal 6: To instill in students an appreciation for life-long professional learning.
M.A. Program – Traditional Option
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers professional education leading to the Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders. The program requires the equivalent of two years full-time attendance and is designed to meet the certification requirements of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and licensure by the State of Florida. The program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology. Full-time registration (at least 9 hours) in the program is required.
The program combines theoretical foundations and clinical skills in a prescribes sequence of courses. Supervised clinical practica are offered in the Communication Disorders Clinic on campus as well as in external settings throughout the greater Orlando area dn the State of Florida. Current information on the program can be found at http://www.graduatecatalog.ucf.edu/programs/.
Admission
 Admission into the graduate program occurs three times a year in the Fall, Spring, and Summer. Students must submit all required materials by the published deadlines for consideration. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required of all graduate students.
Application to the program requires:
- three letters of recommendation, preferably from former instructors
- a letter of intent, stating background and experience, and the semester in which admission is desired
- a copy of all transcripts from previously attended colleges and/or universities
- the graduate application and official GRE score report
Prospective graduate students should apply online at www.graduate.ucf.edu/gradonlineapp/ .
Program of Study
The Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders program consists of required courses, electives, and clinical practica and externships. A thesis option is available. Prospective students must either have a bachelor's degree in the field or complete special prerequisite courses as arranged with the program coordinator. In order to graduate students must complete and achieve a minimum score of 600 on the PRAXIS Examination in Speech-Language Pathology.
Below is a sample of courses that students take:
- Fluency Disorders
- Preschool Language Disorders
- Aphasia and Related Disorders
- Voice Disorders
- Motor Speech Disorders
- School Aged Language Disorders
- Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Articulation/Phonological Disorders
- Practicum
- Externship
- Thesis
M.A. Program – Consortium Option
UCF also offers a Consortium Option (or "Track") in its Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders program. It is a “summers mainly” program consisting of five consecutive summers of full-time enrollment and occasional enrollment during fall or spring semesters. This track is designed specifically for students with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders or Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology who work in participating Central Florida public school districts and who have been providing speech and language services for at least one year prior to application.
Students enrolled in the Consortium Option follow a prescribed sequence of academic and clinical courses. To learn more, see the UCF Graduate Catalog online at www.graduate.ucf.edu/currentGradCatalog/content/Degrees/ACAD_PROG_98.cfm#top
Admission and program of study information is the same for both the Consortium Option and Traditional Option (see above).
M.A. Program with Additional Preparation in Language and Literacy
This educational program requires one additional semester beyond the traditional master's degree program in communication sciences and disorders. It is funded by a four-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Preparing School Speech-Language Pathologists for New Educational Roles
in Language and Literacy
Purpose
The focus of this four-year project is to meet the urgent state and national shortage of school speech-language pathologists qualified to enhance services for children with language, learning and literacy disabilities.
This innovative, first-of-its-kind, educational specialization in “Language and Literacy" will facilitate new approaches to practice, develop tomorrow’s instructional leaders and address the critical shortage of qualified personnel available to serve students with language, learning and literacy disabilities.
The program focuses on developing school speech-language pathologists who can respond to the language, learning and literacy needs of all children, especially those from lower income and diverse backgrounds. Students acquire the knowledge and skills needed to partner with other educators to serve the language and literacy needs of all children.
Students who pursue this specialization achieve educational certification in speech-language impairment and an add-on endorsement in reading. Dual certification enhances their marketability, broadens their scope of practice, and provides advanced credentials commensurate with their education. Above all, project participants will be empowered to pursue new instructional leadership roles in America’s schools.
Program Description
Students in this program enroll in one additional semester beyond the traditional master’s degree program. After completing the core master's degree course work in communications sciences and disorders, they undertake specific requirements for the specialization in language and literacy. The specialization consists of 18 credit hours in reading, three credit hours of electives, and a six-credit-hour school-based internship.
To be considered for the program, please submit an application to the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, HPA II - Room 101.
For more information, please see our program brochure or contact:
Dr. Linda I. Rosa-Lugo, Coordinator
Phone: 407-823-4798
Fax: 407-823-4816
E-mail: lrosa@mail.ucf.edu.
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