M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology

Curriculum

Students who enter the M.S. program with a bachelor’s degree in communicative disorders, and who are enrolled full-time, should expect to complete the program in 5 semesters (Fall 1, Spring 1, Summer 1, Fall 2, Spring 2). For students whose undergraduate preparation is in another field, 19 credits of CMD prerequisite coursework will be required to enter into the graduate program. These students can expect their time in the program to be extended by 2 semesters (about a year).

Course Descriptions

Program Requirements

A minimum of 54 credits is required, including 36-39 credits of required courses, and 10 credits of clinical practicum registrations.

Required courses

CMD 493Cultural and Linguistics Diversity in Communicative Disorders3 credits
CMD 504Research in Communicative Disorders3 credits
CMD 550Audiology for Speech-Language Pathologists2 credits
CMD 560Voice Disorders3 credits
CMD 561Phonological Disorders3 credits
CMD 564Language Disorders in School-Aged Children3 credits
CMD 565Pre-practicum in Speech-Language Pathology1 credit
CMD 569Tests and Measurement in Speech Pathology3 credits
CMD 570Clinical Practicum in Communicative Disorders1-4 credits
CMD 581Dysphagia3 credits
CMD 582Motor Speech Disorders3 credits
CMD 583Acquired Cognitive-Communication Disorders3 credits
CMD 584Language Disorders in Developmentally Young Children3 credits
CMD 585Language Disorders in Adults3 credits
CMD 592Disorders of Fluency3 credits

Electives

CMD 494Autism Spectrum Disorders3 credits
CMD 571Medical Speech-Language Pathology2 credit
CMD 580Augmentative and Alternative Communication2 credits
CMD 594Counseling in Communicative Disorders2 credit
CMD 598Special Problems1-6 credits
CMD 599Master's Thesis Research1-6 credits

Note: Not all electives are offered every year.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

In accordance with the 2019 Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, URI hereby discloses only that the curriculum for this program meets the educational requirements for licensure as a M.S. program in speech-language pathology in all U.S. States and Territories. The applicable licensing board in these states may impose additional non-educational requirements on candidates prior to granting a license (e.g., passing of an exam; obtaining a certificate; performing supervised clinical/practicum hours; etc.), and we encourage you to investigate those requirements with your licensing board.

Core Functions

In addition to academic and clinical course work, graduate students are evaluated on their achievement of professional competencies. When you begin the program, you will be given a copy of these competencies, called Core Functions, which you’ll sign and return to your department file.

Capstone requirements

With the assistance of your advisor, you will choose from among the following options for your required capstone experience:

  • Thesis Option
    The thesis option provides an opportunity to explore a specific research area in depth and to conduct a small research project working with a faculty mentor. This option requires 6 credits of CMD 599: Master’s Thesis Research.
  • Non-thesis option 1: Comprehensive examination
    The comprehensive exam (comps) is a written test covering the range of coursework covered to date in your CMD coursework. In addition to assessing your core knowledge, it provides helpful preparation for the Praxis exam that you will take to obtain certification from ASHA.
  • Non-thesis option 2: Directed Essay Option
    As an alternative to the comprehensive examination, the directed essay offers a capstone experience that promotes academic development in a specific area. It may involve a research project, but is not as extensive an undertaking as the MS Thesis option. The Directed Essay provides an opportunity to collaborate with a faculty mentor to produce scholarly work on a specific topic of interest.

See Student Resources for more information provided in the CMD MS-SLP Manual.