The Master of Communication Disorders degree program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). This accreditation means that the master’s degree program has met or exceeded the rigorous standards set by the CAA. The CAA will continuously monitor the program to ensure that these standards are maintained.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the M.C.D. degree program, applicants must meet the admission requirements of Graduate Admissions and the specific program requirements. However, meeting minimum requirements for admission to graduate study does not necessarily ensure acceptance into the M.C.D. program. The Communication Disorders (CD) program admits students on a competitive, space-available basis.

In order to complete the application process for the Communication Disorders program, the applicant must complete the following:

1. Apply to the Graduate School
   Complete and/or gather the following documents:
   • Application to Graduate School accompanied by Application Fee
     Apply online: https://asups1.astate.edu:4443/prod/bwskalog.P_DispLoginNon
   • Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework from all colleges and universities attended. Transcripts must be mailed directly from the institutions previously attended.
   • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (must be within 5 years)
   • Immunization record including MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella)
     
     Submit to:
     Graduate Admissions
     Arkansas State University
     PO Box 1570
     State University, AR 72467
     
     For questions about the above process please contact Graduate Admissions at (870) 972-2031.
2. Apply to the Master of Communication Disorders Program
   ​Complete and/or gather the following documents:
   • Current Resume
   • Personal statement consisting of 500-1,000 words with attention to the applicant’s professional goals, past experiences, and contributions the applicant expects to make in Communication Disorders
   • Unofficial copy of transcript. Official transcripts must still be sent to Graduate Admissions.
   • Three letters of recommendation/rating forms, which should be from former supervisors and faculty, completed on the program’s recommendation forms. All references must be sealed and signed over the seal by the person who wrote the recommendation. This may then be sent to you or sent directly to the program by the evaluator. The rating form is available online here: http://www.astate.edu/dotAsset/129b3f8d-2b2b-4d15-92ff-7ecd8c88f02b.pdf
     
     Submit to:
     Arkansas State University
     Department of Communication Disorders
     PO Box 910
     State University, AR 72467
     
     For questions regarding application to the Master of Communication Disorders program please contact the Department of Communication Disorders at (870) 972-3106.

Applications for admission will be considered by the Communication Disorders Admissions and Credits Committee in the weeks following the application deadline.

To be eligible for consideration all applicants must have a complete application file and must meet the admission requirements of Graduate Admissions.

Applicants With Undergraduate Degrees in Majors Other Than Speech-Language Pathology. Applicants with undergraduate degrees in an area other than communication disorders will be considered for admission only after having completed a minimum of 15 semester hours of the 38 credit hours of undergraduate deficiencies specified by the CD program. Applicants must identify the specific year for which they are applying. Such applicants will be considered for admission only after indicating in writing that they understand admission for the targeted year is contingent on their provision of evidence (in the form of official grade slips or an official transcript) of having successfully completed all but one of the core specified deficiency courses. Such evidence must be received prior to the first day of classes for the targeted year. In the event documentation is not provided by that time, the admission decision will be considered null and void. The applicant may, however, re-apply for admission for a subsequent year.

Deadline for Receiving Applications

The graduate admission period is the first term of summer school annually, and applications for that admission period are due by February 15 each year.

The M.C.D. Degree

The Master of Communication Disorders degree is offered for the purpose of educating individuals to a high level of competence in the management of speech, hearing, and language disorders. This program provides graduates with the necessary academic and clinical practice requirements for ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP), licensure to practice speech-language pathology in the State of Arkansas, and the Speech Pathology Certificate issued by the Arkansas Department of Education. Programs will be individually designed to prepare initial entry candidates as well as those with prior training and experience.

Course Requirements

The Master of Communication Disorders degree consists of a minimum of 49 semester hours beyond the Bachelor’s degree including credit for clinical practice. Clinical practice consists of supervised, direct clinical experience approved and supervised by the faculty and licensed clinical supervisors. Each candidate and the adviser will plan and design a program of study to ensure that professional requirements will be met. Deficiencies in undergraduate preparation may be assigned as prerequisites. The successful student is expected to have demonstrated expertise and in-depth knowledge of the normal communication processes, development, and disorders thereof; evaluation procedures to assess the bases of such disorders; and clinical techniques that have been shown to improve or eradicate them. In addition, competency must be demonstrated in the related areas of human anatomy and physiology, psychological dynamics, and research.

Additional Requirements

All candidates for the M.C.D. degree must take the appropriate PRAXIS II Examination required for licensure in Arkansas and for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). A copy of the scores must be sent to the Communication Disorders Program Director, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Arkansas State University, P.O. Box 910, State University, AR 72467-0910.