Overview of the Communication Disorders Curriculum

The traditional Master's program requires the equivalent of five full-time semesters to complete for students with undergraduate degrees in communication sciences and disorders. For students entering the program with undergraduate degrees in other fields, additional terms may be necessary to complete the undergraduate prerequisites before enrolling for graduate coursework. For all students, the final semester involves a full-time internship.

The CD Program offers two degree program options: a teaching option (major code 489A) and a non-teaching option (major code 493A). The academic course work is identical for both degree programs. However, students enrolled in the teaching degree option enroll in CD 5569 Practicum in the Schools, instead of, or in addition to, Practicum IV. This major code is strongly recommended for all students except those who are certain they will not choose to work in educational settings. Both degree program options provide students with the academic and clinical practicum experience necessary for certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and licensure by the State of North Carolina.

Coursework Requirements (Unless indicated, all courses are required for both teaching and non-teaching degree options)

FDN 5000 Research Methods (3 sh)
CD 5564 Clinical Practicum I (3 sh)
CD 5565 Clinical Practicum II (3 sh)
CD 5566 Clinical Practicum III (3 sh)
CD 5567 Clinical Practicum IV (3 sh)
CD 5569 Clinical Practicum in the Schools (6 sh) (Students enrolled in the teaching option may substitute CD 5569 for either CD 5566 or CD 5567)
CD 5661 Diagnostic Process (3 sh)
CD 5663 Disorders of Fluency (3 sh)
CD 5666 Voice Disorders (3 sh)
CD 5669 Phonological Disorders (3 sh)
CD 5675 Language Disorders in Preschool Children (3 sh)
CD 5676 Language Disorders in School-Aged Children and Adolescents (3 sh)
CD 5731 Neurogenic Disorders I: Overview of Aphasia, Apraxia, Dysarthria, and Dysphagia (3 sh)
CD 5732 Neurogenic Disorders II: Assessment and Treatment of Aphasia, Apraxia, Dysartria, and Dysphagia (3 sh)
CD 5900 Internship (6 - 12 sh)

In addition to these required courses, students must enroll in 9 semester hours of guided electives for a minimum of 60 total graduate hours. Electives are selected in collaboration with an academic advisor and may include any course numbered 5000 or above.

Students who choose to complete a thesis also enroll in CD 5999 Thesis for 3 semester hours and have the option of graduating with 57 semester hours. Only those students graduating with 60 semester hours, however, are eligible for NC DPI advanced licensure.

Learn more about the typical sequence of study
Learn more about prerequisites for students with a background in a field other than communication disorders
Learn more about practicum experiences
Learn more about internships