Graduate

Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Become a speech-language pathologist and help patients overcome their communication and swallowing difficulties.

Master of Science in Communication Science and Disorders professor on virtual call with patient.

About this Program

The University of Mississippi Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders is ranked among the top 100 graduate schools nationwide and is #1 in Mississippi. We have unique hands-on clinical and research opportunities, with an excellent Speech and Hearing Clinic located on site.

The UM first year students are partnered individually with one or more clients for an entire semester and gain experience with assessment, therapy, support, lesson planning, parent and teacher communication, and family education.

Once students graduate from the M.S. in C.S.D., they can complete their clinical fellowship year and sit for the national exams and earn their national certification. 

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    Program Information

    Program Type

    Master's Program

    Area of Study

    Sciences, Mathematics, and Technology

    Duration

    2 years

    Degree

    M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders

    Program Location

    Oxford

    Emphases

    Communication disorders;
    Swallowing disorders

    Required Credit Hours

    61

    Program Requirements and Application Process

    Find the program requirements for the Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders below. For more information, please see the graduate course catalog online.

    Students must submit their applications by February 1st. Students admitted into the graduate program will start their studies in Second Summer Session, which typically starts the last week of June. This early start allows students a better academic and clinical training and experience.

    Graduate Assistantship applications are now embedded within the CSDCAS application.

    The Application

    All applications for the M.S. in CSD must be submitted through the Communication Sciences & Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS). To learn more about the application process, please review their FAQs.

    All official transcripts MUST be sent to CSDCAS at the address below:

    • CSDCAS Verification Department
      P.O. Box 9113
      Watertown, MA  02471

    To be considered for admission an application must be completed on or before February 1.

    A complete application is one that has been e-submitted and all transcripts, scores, statement, letters of recommendation, and payments have been received by CSDCAS and attached to the application. Documents should be sent several weeks prior to the February 1 deadline to ensure that items arrive on time. The timeliness of the application is considered the responsibility of the applicant.

    If you have any questions, visit the CSDCAS Applicant Help Center, call CSDCAS Customer Service at (617) 612-2030, or send an email to csdcasinfo@csdcas.org.

    Minimal qualifications for applying to M.S. in CSD program

    Prospective students are expected to have successfully completed an undergraduate course of study in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology or Communication Sciences and Disorders. Applicant's must have a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.

    In some cases, applicants without such preparatory coursework may be considered for graduate admission, but the program of study may require additional coursework.

    An overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 (where A= 4.0) is required.

    Eligibility Requirements

    It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that their application packet is complete by the deadline. Only complete applications will be considered.

    The minimum overall GPA for consideration is 3.0. Competitive students will have a higher GPA. Mean scores for our Class of 2021 cohort are listed below. 

    Overall GPA3.70
    CSD GPA3.86
    GRE Verbal149
    GRE Quantitative147
    GRE Writing3.8

     

    Required Documentation

    To apply to the M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders prospective students must submit:

    • An official copy of the GRE scores and percentile ranks in all three areas including verbal, quantitative, and analytical, to CSDCAS using the CSDCAS GRE code (4190) designated for the University of Mississippi.
    • Three (3) letters of recommendation that reflect the applicant’s academic and clinical abilities, potential for success in graduate studies, and personal qualities predictive of professional success as a speech-language pathologist.
    • CV/Resume

    Optional Documentation

    While it isn't required, applicants may also submit a Letter of Intent or a Personal Essay.

    Required Documentation for Non-native English Speakers

    Applicants that are non-native English speakers must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

    Each test has a minimum required score that students must have for consideration:

    • The minimum required scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) depend on the format of the test.
      • Paper-Based 527
      • Computer-based 193
      • Internet-based 70-71
    • The Minimum required score for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is 5.5

    Requirements for Students Accepted into the Program

    Accepted applicant's will receive a letter of acceptance stating they've been recommended for admission to the program. Accepted students still have a few requirements to check off of their list.

    Accepted students must:

    • Submit the required supporting documents, including the applicant's:
      • Official university transcripts
      • GRE score (using the institution code 1840)*
      • TOEFL/IELTS scores for international students only (using the institution code 1840)*
    • Send copies of official transcripts to the UM Graduate School at the following address. 
      • University of Mississippi Graduate School
        100 Graduate House
        P.O. Box 1848
        University, MS 38677-1848

    Transcripts sent to the Department of CSD cannot be accepted. 

    If you graduated from the University of Mississippi, the UM Graduate School will access your official transcripts free of charge. Make sure you indicate that you attended UM on your application. If you have a hold on your account, we will not receive your UM transcript and your application may not be considered complete. 

    * Remember that all GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS scores must be sent directly from the testing service to the University of Mississippi using the institution code 1840.

    Recommended Documentation

    If you have completed observation hours in Speech-Language Pathology or audiology settings, please upload the official documentation that shows the completion of any observation hours.

    Anti-Discrimination Policy

    The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Mississippi does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, nation or ethnic origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, citizenship, or status as a covered veteran.

    The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and affirmative action and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information.

    Students who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (including a course in Speech Science) with a GPA of 3.0 are eligible to apply for our graduate program. Students with a Bachelor’s degree in a different field should see “What if I don’t have a CSD major?” below.

    Before entering the program, all students must have completed a course in each of the following areas. These are usually taken as part of the undergraduate general education requirements. On a case-by-case basis, it may be possible to take one of these courses while enrolled in the graduate program. 

    • Statistics
    • Biological Sciences (e.g., biology, anatomy, genetics)
      • A CSD-specific anatomy and physiology course will not count towards this requirement.
    • Physical Sciences
      • physics or chemistry
    • Social/Behavioral Sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology, anthropology)

    For more information about ASHA certification standards for these content areas, see Standard IV-A.

    Non-CSD Majors

    Exceptional students who aren't CSD majors can still apply for the MS in CSD. In order to be considered for admission, students can choose to:

    1. Apply for conditional admission to the graduate program. If accepted, applicants must complete the required core courses as a conditionally-admitted graduate student, OR
    2. Enroll as a non-degree seeking undergraduate student at the University of Mississippi or elsewhere and apply for the graduate program while completing the required core courses or their equivalents.

    Non-CSD majors must complete the following required core courses:

    • CSD 205: Anatomy and Physiology
    • CSD 211: Phonetics
    • CSD 216: Normal Language Development
    • CSD 351: Audiology
    • CSD 452: Speech Science
    • CSD 495: Clinical Science

    As well as 6 additional credits focusing on disordered speech or language:

    • CSD 301: Speech Sound Disorders
    • CSD 316: Atypical Language Development
    • CSD 356: Aural Rehab
    • CSD 405: Voice and Fluency

    Prospective students must also take a course in each of the following areas, if they did not already do so as part of their Bachelor’s degree.

    • Statistics
    • Social Science
    • Biological Science
    • Physical Science (e.g., physics or chemistry)

    Option 1: Conditional Admission to the Graduate Program

    Conditional admission into the graduate program may be granted to exceptional students who did not complete a CSD major or complete core leveling courses elsewhere if they are otherwise competitive with our applicant pool.

    Conditionally-admitted students will complete the required core courses over a year, which may require taking summer and/or winter courses. When necessary, conditionally-admitted students will be able to take prerequisite courses as co-requisites.

    Conditionally admitted students must achieve a GPA of 3.75 in their core courses in order to continue into the graduate program.

    Before applying, please contact the department chair or graduate program coordinator to determine your eligibility and if this is the best plan for you.

    Option 2: Non-degree Seeking Undergraduate Students

    Any student can enroll at the University of Mississippi as a non-degree-seeking undergraduate student and apply for the graduate program while completing the required core courses. Students enrolled as a non-degree-seeking undergraduate cannot take prerequisite courses as co-requisites. It may therefore take up to two years, including summer and winter courses, to complete the required core courses. Note the following prerequisite requirements:

    • CSD 205 is a prerequisite for CSD 452 and 351
    • CSD 211 is a prerequisite for CSD 301
    • CSD 216 is a prerequisite for CSD 316
    • CSD 301, 316, and 351 are prerequisites for CSD 495

    Students may also choose to complete the required core courses at another university. Equivalency between courses offered elsewhere and our required core courses will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

    Keep in mind that we will not accpeted coursework from massive open online courses (MOOCs). Examples of MOOCs include, but are not limited to:

    • Educause
    • MOOC.org
    • edX
    • Coursera
    • Khan Academy

    Learn more about Prerequisite Course Content Areas Related to SLP Certification Standards.

    Information about the estimated cost of attendance and financial aid opportunities, including those listed below, can be found on the Graduate School’s Financial Aid website

    Graduate Assistantship Positions

    The department offers a limited number of Graduate Assistantships (GAs) to the top-ranked applicants who submit a GA application by the February 1st due date.

    • GAs receive a 75% tuition scholarship, a full nonresident fee scholarship, and a $2500 per semester stipend.
    • In return, GAs work for ten hours a week, usually with a staff or faculty member in the department. GA responsibilities can include administrative work, teaching assistance, and working on faculty research projects. 

    GA applications are integrated into the application process on CSDCAS.  After indicating that you would like to apply for a position, you will be asked two brief essay questions that will be used to complete your GA application.

    Summer Graduate Research Assistantship Program

    The Graduate School offers a limited number of summer stipends ($2,500) for students who are completing a master’s thesis.

    To become a certified Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), you must earn a Master’s Degree, complete a Clinical Fellowship Year, and pass the Praxis II. Our master’s program is designed to fulfill the academic and practicum requirements for clinical certification established by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), as well as for licensure in most states.

    Graduate Degree Requirements for a Masters of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders

    To fulfill the MS in CSD graduate degree requirements, students must successfully complete:

    1. A minimum of 61 credit hours, including 46 hours of academic course work and 15 hours of graduate practicum.

      Academic course requirements include CSD 505, 513, 521, 523, 526, 541, 557, 605, 613, 620, 622, 624, 625, 627, 642, and 690.

      Clinical course requirements are five semesters of clinical practicum including CSD 691, 692, 693, 694 and 695.
    2. 400 clinical clock hours, including 25 observation hours and 375 hands-on hours.

      A minimum of 325 hours must be earned under the direction of the University of Mississippi CSD faculty and/or approved offsite supervisors.

      Under special arrangements, portions of practicum can be completed elsewhere.

    Graduate students must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average in the department to continue enrollment, qualify for graduation, and be eligible for department financial aid consideration.

    While the state of Mississippi prohibits the mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 for enrollment as a student, external medical practicum sites at which our students accrue clinical hours, as well as many internship sites across the country, may require the COVID-19 vaccine for students and trainees.

    Because of this, students may be required to submit proof of vaccination to external clinical placements. If students cannot provide proof of vaccination they may not be able to participate in practicum experiences or internships due to external sites’ vaccination requirements. Without the required clinical rotation hours, students may not be able to progress towards an on-time graduation.

    CollegeSchool of Applied Sciences
    ProgramMaster of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders
    Program Licensure OutcomesThe Masters of Science program in Communication Sciences and Disorders at The University of Mississippi is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (CAA of ASHA). Upon graduation, students are eligible to complete their clinical fellowship year and sit for the national exams, thereby completing standards for national certification.

    Individuals must meet state regulations, determined by occupational settings, for the state in which they wish to practice. Compliance with state regulatory requirements is mandatory, and the only avenue towards legal practice.

    Program Regulated by every state licensure / certification boardThis program meets the educational requirements for licensure in the state of Mississippi.

    We have not determined if the program curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the other US states, territories or the District of Columbia.

    College Program Contactcsd@olemiss.edu
    More informationThe American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) supplies information relative to individual state regulations.
    Date of Last Revision2/8/2022

    What does a Master in Science of CSD look like in the job market?

    100%

    Employment rate for alumni within their fields.

    84K

    Median income for Speech Language Pathologists in 2022.

    19%

    Job growth from 2022 to 2023 (much faster than average).

    Vanessa Moore

    Where here for you!

    We're here to answer any questions you have about the Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

    Vanessa Moore

    Coordinator for Advising, Recruitment, and Retention, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

    What can you do with a graduate degree in communication science and disorders

    • Communication Disorder Research Specialist
    • Audiologist
    • Clinical Supervisor
    • Speech Language Pathologist
    • Occupational Therapist

    National Student Speech Language Association

    Students pursuing a M.S. in Communcation Sciences and Disorders can join the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA). NSSLHA's mission is to support CSD students by providing tools to navigate their academic and professional careers.

    With over fifty years of experience, NSSLHA supports 350+ college chapters worldwide.

    NSSLHA offers members:

     

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Students who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (including the courses or equivalent courses listed below), with a GPA of 3.0, are eligible to apply for our graduate program.

    Non-CSD majors are encouraged to apply and should review their transcripts and final semester courses to ensure they meet all requirements.

    Students that are non-CSD majors are required to take following or equivalent courses:

    • CSD 205: Anatomy and Physiology
    • CSD 211: Phonetics
    • CSD 216: Normal Development of Communication
    • CSD 351: Audiology
    • CSD 452: Fundamental Speech & Hearing Science
    • CSD 495: Clinical Science

    Plus 6 additional credits focusing on disordered speech or language, e.g.
    • CSD 301: Speech Sound Disorders
    • CSD 316: Language and Learning Disorders
    • CSD 356: Aural Rehab
    • CSD 405: Voice and Fluency

    In addition to the courses listed above, students must take a course in each of the following areas, if they have not already:

    • Statistics
    • Social Science
    • Biological Science
    • Physics or Chemistry

    Most speech pathology or communication science degrees are acceptable. In the case that they are not, or you are a conditionally admitted student that needs to take prerequisite courses, you can:

    • Take the required core courses over a year as a conditionally admitted student.

      You must maintain a GPA of 3.75 in order to continue into the graduate program.
    • Enroll as a non-degree-seeking undergraduate student, complete the required core courses, and apply for the graduate program.

      Remember to consider the duration of prerequisite courses in your planning.
    • Complete required courses elsewhere.

      Equivalency for the courses offered elsewhere will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

    Yes, the GRE is required for admission the M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders program. 

    There are no minimum GRE score requirements, but we prefer percentiles higher than 30th.

    Students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 are eligible to apply. Competitive applicants typically present a higher GPA. Mean scores for the Class of 2021 cohorts are listed below.

    Overall GPA3.70
    CSD GPA3.86
    GRE verbal149
    GRE Quantitative147
    GRE Writing3.8

    While there are no minimum GRE score requirements, please pay close attention to your percentile ranking for GRE scores.

    We prefer percentiles that are higher than 30th.

    Tuition for the MS in CSD can change over time.

    Students interested in the cost of attendance can use our tuition estimator to understand the possible cost of the graduate program.

    Yes, we do offer a limited number of graduate assistantships to the top ranked applicants who submit a GA application by the due date, February 1st.

    • These graduate assistantships are typically offered on a semester by semester basis and are limited to the first fall and spring semesters of the program.
    • The assistantships cover 75% of the tuition during the period of the graduate assistantship for up to 13 credits.

    The GA applications are located in the application on CSDCAS process and will include two brief essay questions. For more information please visit the Graduate School's page for Graduate Assistantships.

    The graduate program consists of 7 semesters over the course of two years, including the summers: Summer-II & August intersessions, Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall, Spring.

    The program begins in the second summer session.

    Yes. The University of Mississippi is committed to access and inclusion. Accomodation information is available on the UM SDS website.

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