Master of Science in Communicative Disorders (CDS)

Course List (21 courses, 63 units)

The online Master of Science in Communicative Disorders program is a 3 year, 10 semester program. The curriculum consists of 36 units of coursework plus the culminating experience (comprehensive examination). In addition, students need to complete 27 additional units of coursework and clinical practicum experiences to meet the requirements for ASHA certification, state licensure and credentialing. The 36 units of program degree courses plus the comprehensive examination for the distance education students are identical to the program degree requirements for students in the on-campus program.

The following courses comprise the 36 unit formal master's degree program plus the culminating experience:

CD 501: Interviewing and Counseling in Communicative Disorders
CD 502: Research in Communication Disorders
CD 552: Language Disorders II
CD 558: Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology of Speech, Language and Hearing
CD 651: Advanced Study of Articulation and Phonological Disorders in Children
CD 659: Neurogenic Disorders of Cognition and Language
CD 660: Structural and Neurogenic Speech Disorders
CD 661: Voice and Disorders of Voice
CD 662: Seminar in Developmental Language Disorders
CD 663: Adult and Pediatric Swallowing/Feeding Disorders
CD 668: Advanced Diagnostics in Speech and Language Pathology
CD 674: Pediatric Audiology
CD 697: Directed Comprehensive Studies

The remaining coursework fulfills the requirements for ASHA certification, state licensure and credentialing.

CD 469O: Observation in Communication Disorders
CD 485: Computer Applications in Communication Disorders
CD 500: Leveling in Communication Disorders and Sciences
CD 565: Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology I
CD 566: Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology II
CD 567: Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology III
CD 672A & CD 672C: Advanced Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology I & II

Course Highlights

The following courses have been carefully crafted and purposefully sequenced to form a uniquely integrated program of study. Courses are listed in the order in which they are presented. Later courses build on earlier ones to provide a powerful, cumulative learning experience.

course	name	units	description
CD 500	Leveling in Communication	3 units	Tailored instruction for students who have not yet achieved the minimal competency requirements for entry into graduate studies. Students are assessed across seven strands of knowledge and skills competencies; for those strands in which minimal competency skills are not met, instruction/skill remediation modules are designed in order to advance the student's foundations of knowledge and skills
CD 485	Computer Applications in Communication Disorders	3 units	Study of basic computer concepts and applications of microcomputers in the fields of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, including diagnostic and rehabilitative procedures, statistical and research applications, recordkeeping, and word processing. Review of contemporary microcomputer hardware and software. Regular written assignments will be required.
CD 552	Language Disorders II	3 units	Prerequisite: CDS 462 or equivalent and graduate standing. Survey of current definitions and causes of language disorder; disorders of parts of language and trade-off effects. Identification of relevant features of disordered language for assessment and intervention. Analysis of relevant features of disordered language through advanced data collection, transcription and language analysis of intonation, morphosyntactic form, communicative function, repair phenomena and discourse level sequences.
CD 469O	Observation in Communication Disorders	3 units	Observation of the evaluation and management of speech, language and hearing disorders. 25 hours of pre-therapy observation. Instruction in case management fundamentals.
CD 502	Research in Communication Disorders	3 units	Study of research methods and instrumentation in the field of communication disorders, including literature search techniques, research design, statistical tests, laboratory instrumentation and calibration, and report preparation. Online library research methods will be utilized.
CD 565	Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology I	2 units	Supervised clinical experience in the diagnosis of and therapy for speech handicapped children. The work is performed at a clinical site with field supervision and university support.
CD 558	Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology of Speech, Language and Hearing	3 units	This course is concerned with the structural components and organization of the central and peripheral nervous systems and their conduction pathways and functions, with specific emphasis on those structures that subserve normal speech, language and hearing processes. Regular writing assignments will be required.
CD 659	Neurogenic Disorders of Cognition and Language	3 units	This course includes advanced study of the neurological bases for language and cognitive deficits, as well as theoretical views of the organization of these components. Primary focus is given to the diagnosis and treatment of common communication problems in adults with aphasia, traumatic brain injury and other acquired language and cognitive disorders. In addition, these language and cognitive impairments will be contrasted with communication changes associated with normal aging.
CD 651	Advanced Study of Articulation and Phonological Disorders	3 units	Advanced study of speech acquisition, differential diagnosis of pediatric speech disorders, and principles of intervention.
CD 661	Voice and Voice Disorders	3 units	Study of theoretical, diagnostic and treatment issues in functional/organic/neurogenic/and psychogenic voice disorders. In addition, diagnostic and treatment options for laryngeal, head and neck cancer are presented. Multicultural implications for assessment and treatment are discussed. Regular written assignments are required, as well as proficiency with instrumentation for options within assessment and treatment.
CD 566	Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology II	2 units	This is the second pediatric clinic. This work is performed at a clinical site with field supervision and university support.
CD 663	Adult and Pediatric Swallowing/Feeding Disorders	3 units	This course focuses on the theoretical and clinical aspects of the disorders of swallowing or dysphagia. The physiology of normal swallow is studied as it develops across the lifespan. The etiologies of dysphagia in both the pediatric and adult populations are examined, as well as clinical and instrumental assessment of normal swallowing and dysphagia. Finally, the diagnosis and management of disorders of swallowing in the pediatric and adult populations are investigated.
CD 668	Advanced Diagnostics in Speech and Language Pathology	3 units	Advanced diagnosis and evaluation of children and adults with complex disorders of speech and/or language and/or cognition. Clinical experience in taking a history, constructing a test battery, administering norm-referenced tests, performing informal assessment procedures, interpreting formal and informal results, making a differential diagnosis, writing reports and conducting feedback sessions with clients, parents and/or caregivers.
CD 567	Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology III	2 units	This is the third pediatric clinic. This work is performed at a clinical site with field supervision and university support.
CD 501	Interviewing and Counseling in Communicative Disorders	3 units	Advanced study of interviewing and counseling strategies and techniques associated with diagnostic and therapeutic practice in speech-language pathology and audiology. Professional responsibilities for ethical practices.
CD 662	Seminar in Developmental Language and Disorders	3 units	Advanced study of research relating to the differential diagnosis of populations with associated developmental language disorders, including specific language impairment, language/learning disabilities, central auditory processing disorders, pervasive developmental disorders, psychiatric disorders, mental retardation and other populations with associated developmental disorder.
CD 672A & C	Advanced Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology I and II	9 units	Supervised clinical experience in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures with speech and hearing handicapped children and adults in hospitals and community health service centers. Staff conferences with medical and allied health personnel in relation to speech and language pathologies. For Credit/No Credit Only.
CD 660	Structural and Neurogenic Speech Disorders	3 units	This course focuses on the advanced study of structural and neurogenic speech disorders, including models of motor control of speech production, neurological representation of speech and the effects of structural or neurological damage on speech production. Students will identify specific speech deficits characterizing dysarthria, apraxia of speech, craniofacial anomalies and surgical or traumatic alterations in normal speech structure and function. Physical and clinical assessment and management of these cases will be emphasized.
CD 674	Pediatric Audiology	3 units	Advanced study of the causation, assessment and management of auditory disorders in infants and children.
CD 697	Directed Comprehensive Studies	3 units	Prerequisite: Completion of all courses required in the program.

Master of Science in Communicative Disorders (CDS) - Curriculum

Tseng College
Graduate, International and Midcareer Education

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