MEd in Communication Sciences and Disorders

The M.Ed. in Communication Sciences and Disorders is an ASHA-accredited master’s degree program in speech-language pathology. Graduates of this program are prepared to serve as licensed and certified speech-language pathologists in clinical, medical, or school-based settings. Coursework, on-campus clinical practicum, community outreach activities, and off-campus clinical internships provide you the knowledge and skills you need to begin your career with confidence.

The M.Ed. is a non-thesis master’s degree. If you are interested in incorporating research into your master’s program, explore our M.A. program . Whichever degree you select, you and your future clients will benefit from the program’s overall emphases on evidence-based practice, client-centered services for diverse families and communities, and lifelong professional growth, from your first supported clinical practicum to your final internship and beyond.

Highlights

• Full-time, 2-year program prepares you to seek state and national credentials to practice speech-language pathology
• Specialized faculty help you develop research-based and theoretically sound knowledge and skills for prevention, assessment, and intervention
• Cohort model supports your development of the interpersonal and inter-professional skills that support all clients’ and families’ backgrounds, identities, and cultures
• Generalist focus emphasizes your well-rounded development as a future clinical professional
• Opportunities to add specialized training in dyslexia or in diversity, equity, and inclusion

Accreditation Information

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential modality) at the University of Georgia and the Master of Arts (M.A.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential modality) at the University of Georgia are both accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

The programs are also approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC):

Individuals certified in Speech and Language Pathology are in-field to serve as a Speech and Language Pathologist in grades P-12 and to provide related educational support or direct intervention for all students in grades P-12 whose Individual Education Program (IEP) indicates instructional needs in the area of Speech and Language Pathology.

CMSD Student Outcome Data (PDF) Program Exit Survey Data (PDF)

Curriculum

Your master’s program will begin with two online Summer courses. The remainder of your first year combines in-person coursework, on-campus clinical practicum, community-based clinical experiences, and telehealth clinical assignments. The second year includes additional coursework, but you will focus primarily on two full-time internships (one in the Fall semester and another in the Spring semester; one in a public-school setting and one in a medical, rehabilitation, or clinical setting).

As shown in the complete program of study (PDF) , the curriculum includes all coursework and clinical practicum necessary for certification and licensure. You will complete over 400 clock hours in clinical practicum, exceeding ASHA’s requirements for certification. Required coursework addresses:

• diagnostic, clinical, and multicultural methods and issues
• nature, prevention, assessment, and management of speech, language, voice, cognitive-communication, social-communication, and swallowing conditions
• professional and interprofessional issues, including collaboration with families and other providers and the application of research principles to clinical practice

The program begins in July during UGA’s “Short Session II.” Courses and clinical practicum experiences use a cohort model and are required every semester for six consecutive semesters. You typically graduate in May of your second year in the program.

Additional information and disclosures regarding state licensure for professional practice in this field can be found at the UGA Licensure Disclosure Portal .

How to Apply

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply to the CMSD/SLP master’s program if you have completed a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders, speech and hearing sciences, speech-language pathology, or the equivalent, or if you are on track to complete such a degree by the end of the current academic year. If your bachelor’s degree was in another area, you are eligible to apply if you have completed the prerequisite coursework and other experiences described in our Frequently Asked Questions document (PDF) .

We use a holistic application review process to identify applicants with the characteristics and achievements that are predictive of success as graduate students in our program and speech-language pathologists. The UGA CMSD master’s program does not require GRE scores.

Other details about our program and the application process are in the Frequently Asked Questions document (PDF) .

Part 1: Apply to the University Of Georgia

As part of applying to the CMSD master’s program, you must complete an application to UGA’s Graduate School. Note the following specific instructions for your application to the UGA Graduate School.

1. Our master’s program starts in Summer semester. To start in Summer 2025, you must select Cycle 2025-2026 (Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Spring 2026) as the academic year to which you are applying when you start your UGA Graduate School application.
2. You do not need to upload personal statements or request letters of recommendation when completing the UGA Graduate School application. If you have attended UGA previously, you do not need to upload your transcripts. If you have never attended UGA, you do need to upload your unofficial transcripts as part of your UGA Graduate School application. You will provide all necessary materials, and arrange for letters of recommendation/evaluations, through your CSDCAS application.

Your UGA Graduate School application must be submitted by January 15 for consideration for Summer admission to the CMSD program.

Start A Graduate School Application

Part 2: Apply to the M.Ed. in Communication Sciences and Disorders

In addition to applying to the UGA Graduate School, you must apply to the CMSD master’s program using the CSDCAS common application .

1. Complete CSDCAS common application
   

   • Provide your transcripts, resume, and evaluations/letters of recommendation through CSDCAS.
   • Complete the prerequisite coursework section in CSDCAS. Include grades for all completed classes. Include currently enrolled classes and classes you are registered for in Spring 2025.
   • Upload your written response to the following prompt: Describe two aspects of your experiences or background that you think have prepared you well for graduate school and a career in speech-language pathology. (500 words)

   Note: A general statement of purpose is not needed.

   The deadline for your CSDCAS application is also January 15, 2025.

2. Complete the Casper assessment through Altus Suite
   

   Casper (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) is an online, open-response situational judgment test. It takes 90 - 110 minutes to complete. No studying is required for Casper, although you may want to familiarize yourself with the test structure and complete a practice test at TakeAltus.com. The test can only be taken one time during an admission cycle.

   Visit the Altus Suite website to create an account and register to take Casper for the US Professional Health Sciences test (CSP-10101). You will need to enter your CSDCAS ID when creating your account. The Altus Suite includes multiple assessments. We require only the Casper assessment.

   Applicants must complete Casper by the final test date of January 7, 2025 to be considered for 2025 admissions. The following test dates/times are available (all times listed are Eastern Time):

   • July 9, 2024 6:00 p.m.
   • July 9, 2024 8:00 p.m.
   • July 21, 2024 1:00 p.m.
   • July 21, 2024 4:00 p.m.
   • July 31, 2024 6:00 p.m.
   • July 31, 2024 8:00 p.m.
   • August 13, 2024 6:00 p.m.
   • August 13, 2024 8:00 p.m.
   • August 27, 2024 6:00 p.m.
   • August 27, 2024 8:00 p.m.
   • September 17, 2024 6:00 p.m.
   • September 17, 2024 8:00 p.m.
   • September 29, 2024 4:00 p.m.
   • October 17, 2024 8:00 p.m.
   • October 29, 2024 8:00 p.m.
   • November 14, 2024 6:00 p.m.
   • December 5, 2024 8:00 p.m.
   • January 7, 2025 8:00 p.m.

   Note: Casper scores are sent directly to UGA, so you do not need to upload your scores to CSDCAS.

   Register for Casper

Deadline to Apply

January 15th

Login to existing application

Student Outcome Data

• 2023-2024 Program Assessment (PDF)

Useful Links

• CMSD Student Outcome Data (PDF)
• FAQ - Master’s Applications (PDF)
• Program of Study (PDF)
• SLP Guided Observations and CSSE Student FERPA Release
• Student Handbook (PDF)

CMSD Strategic Plan

Executive Summary:
The Communication Sciences and Disorders Program has a five-year strategic plan focused on continuous improvement of student outcomes so that our graduates are prepared for entry level employment in the field of speech language pathology, are eligible for state and national certification, and can contribute to the scientific and clinical knowledge base of the disciplines and the profession.

• CMSD Strategic Plan (PDF)