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Master of Science (M.S.) in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Coordinator: Dr. Rory DePaolis (depaolra@jmu.edu)
This master's degree program in communication sciences and disorders is a non-clinical, research track designed for individuals who seek concentrated study in one or more areas of human communication sciences and/or communication disorders without clinical preparation as audiologists or speech-language pathologists. The 36-credit program combines focused study in selected areas of human communication sciences and/or in areas of communication disorders and active research participation and research training. Because this track provides the opportunity for more in-depth study in selected concentrations and involves students in active participation in research closely mentored by expert faculty, it is designed to lay a solid foundation in communication sciences and disorders research, particularly for those individuals wanting to pursue further study at the Ph.D. level. Students select coursework in one area of concentration (for example, adult neurogenic communication impairment, pediatric communication impairment, speech production and disorders, hearing and hearing disorders) along with coursework in research design and statistics and speech/hearing sciences and instrumentation.
Students also undertake directed research and complete a thesis. The number of faculty is sufficiently large to have research expertise in diverse areas in order to accommodate and support a wide range of students' research interests. The Department's many well-equipped research laboratories and on-campus Speech, Language, and Hearing Applied Laboratory, which provides clinical services to communicatively impaired children and adults and clinical education for students and serves as dynamic research laboratory, support the research activities of students and faculty.
| Sample Research Master's Curriculum | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Course Number | Description | Credit Hours |
| A | Research Design and Statistics | Minimum 9 credits | |
| CSD 500 or |
Introduction to Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders | 2-3 | |
| CSD 600 | Research in Audiology | ||
| Choose, with approval of major adviser, a minimum of 6 additional credits in research design and/or statistics course | 6 | ||
| B | Speech/Hearing Sciences and Instrumentation | Minimum 6 credits | |
| Choose, with approval of major adviser, a minimum of 6 credits in speech and/or hearing science courses or in instrumentation in speech and hearing sciences | 6 | ||
| C | Areas of Concentration -- Complete one area of concentration | Minimum 9 credits in one area | |
| Adult Neurogenic Communication Impairment | |||
| CSD 718 | Independent Study | 3 | |
| Select, with major adviser approval, and complete another minimum 6 credits in courses addressing adult neurogenic communication impairment | 6 | ||
| Pediatric Communication Impairment | |||
| CSD 718 | Independent Study | 3 | |
| Select, with major adviser approval, and complete another minimum 6 credits in courses addressing pediatric communication impairment | 6 | ||
| Speech Production and Disorders | |||
| CS 718 | Independent Study | 3 | |
| Select, with major adviser approval, and complete another minimum 6 credits in courses addressing speech production and disorders | 6 | ||
| Hearing and Hearing Disorders | |||
| CS 718 | Independent Study | 3 | |
| Select, with major adviser approval, and complete another minimum 6 credits in courses addressing hearing and hearing disorders | 6 | ||
| D | Research and Thesis | Minimum 12 credits | |
| CSD 717, 817, 917, 791, 792, or 793 | Directed Research | 6 | |
| CSD 700 | Thesis | 6 | |
See the Graduate Catalog for more specific information about the content of the program.
Graduate Assistantships (GAs) are available on a competitive basis to graduate students. Fellowships are funded from a variety of sources, including the university, endowments, organizations and service groups such as Scottish Rite and Lion’s Club, and external grant funding from both public and private sources. Contact the Coordinator of the program listed above for more information.
To Apply
See complete application instructions on The Graduate School's web site.
In Summary
| Applicants need to… | and send materials |
|---|---|
Use the following link to apply electronically to The Graduate School |
Electronically to: |
Provide recent GRE scores, per the electronic application instructions |
|
| To the Department, submit 3 letters of recommendation on letterhead stationary. (There is no set form for these) | Dr. Rory DePaolis Communication Sciences and Disorders HHS 1144, MSC 4304 James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA 22807 Phone: (540)568-3869 Email: depaolra@jmu.edu |
| To the Department, provide a personal written statement regarding your career goals, reasons for pursuing a research degree, and areas of research interest. |
For further information, contact
Dr. Rory DePaolis
Communication Sciences and Disorders
HHS 1144, MSC 4304
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Phone: (540)568-3869
Email: depaolra@jmu.edu
