If you are interested in a graduate-level program that could help you get trained to diagnose and treat specific disorders in adults and children, you might consider a masters in communication disorders.
This masters program can offer students opportunities to gain hands-on experience and knowledge that prepares them for a rewarding career in the health sector.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
A communication disorders masters degree is beneficial for professionals who want to work with people who struggle to communicate verbally and non-verbally.
Online Masters in Communication Disorders Programs
A communication disorders graduate program is focused on helping students discover creative ways to aid communication abilities in people diagnosed with speech or communication disorders.
Communication disorder specialists may work in healthcare facilities and clinical units to diagnose, research, and work with other healthcare specialists to improve patients’ speech quality. As a professional in this field, you may deal with people who are born with specific speech disorders as well as anyone who develops speech problems or impairment later in life.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
Depending on your school, this type of masters program may be structured into several courses that teach the different causes of communication disorders and how to manage them. Most communication disability online programs offer you opportunities to explore various clinical studies and do research to provide innovative solutions to speech and communication disorders in people.
Generally, a masters degree in communication disorders could help you achieve the following:
- Evaluate and diagnose communication, speech, swallowing, and language disorders
- Treat these disorders while working with other professionals in the unit
- Educate caregivers and child care specialists on how to manage speech disorders
There are many exciting careers you may want to explore in the field. Graduates tend to become speech therapists or communication specialists. A speech pathologist degree could also be helpful, though, for those who want to specialize in related fields within the industry.
Most graduates work with clients in a clinical setting to increase their communication and speech abilities. In contrast, others pursue the academic field, where they teach others to become speech therapists. Here are some course topics you’ll likely study in a masters in communicative disorders online program:
- Neuroanatomy of human communication
- Speech sounds disorders
- The diagnostic process in communication disorders
- Acquired motor speech disorders
- Fluency disorders
- Voice disorders
Most programs will also include a clinical practicum in speech language pathology. Online programming offers the flexibility to learn advanced communication skills from any location. There may be in-person requirements, though, for specific hands-on training sessions in designated health facilities so you can gain practical experience.
Communicative Disorders Careers & Salaries
There is a high demand for trained health professionals, especially for those who specialize in speech impairment and practical communication.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
Speech-language pathologists can work with a broad range of patients in a wide variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, nursing homes, private practices, and clinics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the median salaries for the following careers related to the study of communicative disorders.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Speech-Language Pathologists — Nursing and Residential Care Facilities | $99,340 |
| Speech-Language Pathologists — Hospitals | $95,620 |
| Speech-Language Pathologists — Offices of Audiologists and Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists | $93,510 |
| Speech-Language Pathologists — Educational Services | $75,270 |
| Special Education Preschool Teachers | $62,420 |
| Special Education Secondary School Teachers | $62,120 |
| Special Education Middle School Teachers | $61,820 |
| Special Education Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers | $61,640 |
| Social Science Research Assistants | $49,720 |
| Recreational Therapists | $47,940 |
Salary expectations can vary with specialization, location, industry, and prior experience. Professionals who hold masters degrees in communication disorders may explore careers in human services, allied health professions, education, and even government. For instance, some graduates pursue careers in social work, consulting, leadership, and research.
MS in Communication Disorders Curriculum & Courses
Below are some courses you may come across while completing your communication disorders masters program:
- Speech Sound Disorders: This course entails an in-depth study of speech-sound disorders in children, with topics that include cleft palate and problems in research.
- Communication Disorders in Adults: You’ll learn how to diagnose, treat, and research problems that relate to speech problems in adults.
- Advanced Audiology: This course may help you understand central auditory processing problems and audiology principles.
- Dysphagia: This course can help you understand swallow anatomy and physiology.
- Clinical Practicum: This may help you meet part of your fieldwork requirement for certification or licensure.
- Voice Disorders: This course covers topics that could help you understand the procedures used to diagnose and treat voice disorders.
- Language Disorders in Children: This course teaches the theory, development, assessment, and treatment of communication disorders and delays in children.
- Speech Sound Disorders: This course teaches advanced studies of functional articulation disorders, cleft palate, and phonological processing disorders.
- Acquired Motor Speech Disorders: This course aims to help you understand neuromotor systems in speech production and the factors affecting it.
- Special Topics in Communication Disorders: This is an elective course whereby you may be given a chance to select two topics on communication disorders.
Your specific coursework can differ based on your program as well as your chosen concentration or electives.
Admissions Requirements
Each school can set its own admission requirements for a master’s program in communication disorders, but here are some standard criteria:
- Bachelors degree in communication disorders or a related field
- GRE or GMAT scores (if required)
- Minimum college GPA (3.0 on average)
- Statement of intent
Your prospective program may also provide a list of other documents that are needed to complete your application, such as a resume and references. Applicants who have undergraduate degrees in unrelated disciplines may be required to take some prerequisite courses before applying for the master’s program.
Communication Disorders Graduate Programs Accreditation
Regional accreditors evaluate a school’s educational offerings as well as their faculty and student services. School’s that hold regional accreditation have been found to meet rigorous, high-quality standards.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
As a result, a degree that’s earned at a regionally accredited school is widely recognized and respected. Licensure and certification boards often require applicants to have a degree from an accredited school. For more information on regional accreditation, you can visit the US Department of Education’s website.
CAA-ASHA Accreditation
It’s also strategic to verify that your selected program is accredited. The programmatic accrediting organization for programs on communication disorders is the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the America Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA).
CAA-ASHA accreditation demonstrates that a masters program in communication disorders is up to industry standards. This type of accreditation may also be required by your state’s licensure board. Each state can have its own specific licensure requirements, so it’s beneficial to verify that a program meets the educational requirements before you apply.
Communication Disorders Licensure and Certifications
Most states require speech-language pathologists to be licensed or registered in order to practice. Many professionals also pursue the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). This certification for speech-language pathologists is common, and it’s also required by some employers.
The requirements for licensure can vary by state, but here are some standard criteria:
- Masters degree related to communication disorders
- Supervised clinical practicum
- Supervised professional experience
- State examination
Similar criteria are required for CCC certification, though it involves a Praxis exam and might entail different fieldwork components from your state. Many communication disorders masters programs design their curriculum to meet the educational requirements for state licensure as well as professional certification.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
A range of financial aid options are available to graduate students who qualify. Here are typical forms of funding you may come across:
- Grants and scholarships. These types of financial aid do not need to be repaid. Instead, they are often awarded based on area of study or academic merit. Both schools and employers may offer scholarship opportunities.
- Work-study programs. An example of this form of aid is the Federal Work-Study Program, which tries to connect you with part-time work to help you pay for your master’s program.
- Student loans. These are funds that must be repaid, but federal student loans typically have lower interest rates.
To determine your eligibility for need-based aid, you can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online.
What Is a Communication Sciences and Disorders Degree?
A communication sciences and disorders degree is the study of any disorder that affects hearing, speaking, and language abilities.
Communication disability programs are focused on helping students discover creative ways to aid communication abilities in those diagnosed with speech or communication disorders. This area of study generally focuses on language development, audiology, and the acquisition and acoustics of speech. You may also learn about the factors that can cause communication disorders in children and adults.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
A master’s program in communication disorders could be strategic for those who want to explore career options in audiology or speech-language pathology.
What Can You Do with a Masters in Communication Disorders?
With a masters in communication disorders, most graduates go on to become speech-language pathologists. They might work in schools, hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, or private practice.
Speech-language professionals work to diagnose, prevent, and treat cognitive communication disorders, social communication problems, and swallowing disorders in adults and children. Other professionals with a communication disorders masters degree might pursue work as clinical supervisors, speech therapists, or education specialists.
A masters can also help you prepare for doctoral studies. Those interested in research or postsecondary teaching may go on to pursue a PhD in the field.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Master in Communication Disorders Online?
The primary factor determining the duration of a masters program in communication disorders is the number of required credit hours.
For instance, much like some masters in child development online programs, there are online masters in communication disorder programs with 36 credit hours can generally be completed in 1 year of full-time study with no thesis required. Programs with a thesis component or more credit hours may extend to 2 years or more.
If your undergraduate degree is not in communication sciences or speech pathology, you may be required to take leveling courses online or to earn an accelerated psychology degree online to fulfill the requirements for the master’s program. Part-time enrollment could also add to your time to completion.
Is a Masters in Communication Sciences and Disorders Degree Worth It?
Yes, a masters in communication sciences and disorders degree is worth it for many students. This graduate program is designed to help students prepare for a rewarding career in communication sciences, and speech-language pathology is a common specialization.
Some roles in this field, such as speech-language pathologist, do require state licensure or registration in order to practice. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has actually projected 29% job growth for speech-language pathologists over the next ten years. Over that period, there may be an average of 15,200 job openings available each year.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
Many trained professionals work in government organizations, health institutions, schools, research centers, and rehabilitation centers. In addition, a communication disorders masters program may allow you to explore career paths in psychology, communication science, and academics.
Universities Offering Online Masters in Communication Disorders Degree Program
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Baylor University offers a Master of Science in Communications Sciences and Disorders. The program is designed to combine the ease of online education with the engagement of active learning and face-to-face interactions by offering virtual classrooms. Required courses include Speech Sound Disorders, Evaluation and Interpersonal Practice, Dysphagia, Aphasiology, and Motor Speech Disorders.
Baylor University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
California State University—Northridge offers a Master’s in Communicative Disorders program. It aims to help students gain professional licensure, credentials to work in public education, and professional certification by the American Speech Language Hearing Association. The program can typically be earned in 3 years and is offered fully online.
CSU Northridge is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
East Caroline University offers a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Depending on their personal career goals, students may choose from two tracks: Speech-Language Pathology or a non-clinical track. The program can typically be completed in 3 years of full-time study. Classes for the program meet on campus.
East Carolina University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Eastern New Mexico University offers a Master of Science in Communicative Disorders program that is housed entirely online, helping to ensure ultimate flexibility. The curriculum covers how to assess and treat speech, language, and swallowing disorders. The program is designed to prepare students for careers as speech-language pathologists in educational, medical, and private settings.
Eastern New Mexico University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Emerson College offers an online program for a Master of Science in Communication Disorders. It is designed for those who are passionate about helping others and interested in the functions of speech. Full-time students can potentially complete this program in 5 terms, while part-time students can typically finish in 9 terms.
Emerson College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Florida State University offers a fully online, part-time program for a Master of Science in Communication Science and Disorders. The program complements the flexibility of its online classes with hands-on learning experiences by requiring the completion of a practicum. These typically take place in schools, hospitals, private practices, and other exciting clinical sites in students’ local communities.
The Florida State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
North Caroline Central University offers a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. The program offers specialized tracks for students intending to work with bilingual speakers or individuals using assistive and augmentative devices.
All students in the program are required to complete coursework in language development, anatomy, phonetics, audiology, and aural rehabilitation. Their studies then culminate with a clinical observation experience.
North Carolina Central University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
At the University of Georgia, the Master of Education in Communication Science and Disorders is designed for students who intend to practice in medical, educational, or clinical settings. This full-time program combines online and on-campus coursework. It can typically be completed in just 2 years. No thesis is required to graduate.
The University of Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Virginia offers a Master of Education in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Students with experience in the field can often complete the program in 5 semesters, while students new to the discipline can often finish in 7 semesters. The curriculum covers essential topics in the field, such as cognitive and linguistic development, phonology audiology, fluency, dysphagia, and assessment and intervention.
The University of Virginia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire offers a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. The program emphasizes the importance of students’ clinical experiences alongside their coursework and has over 90 clinical partners. The program is offered online and on-campus. The online track can typically be completed in 3 years, while the on-campus track can usually be completed in 2 years.
The University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Getting Your Masters in Communication Disorders Degree Online
A masters degree in communication disorders can help you advance your knowledge and professional qualifications in this in-demand field.
Speech-language pathology is a popular specialization, a masters in communication disorders could help you work toward professional licensure. In addition, communication disorder specialists are needed in a variety of sectors. Many graduates go on to work in healthcare, social services, education, and research.
In today’s age of technology, online programs have made it easier for working professionals to further their education. Online degrees are credible as long as they come from accredited colleges or universities. You can start exploring communication disorders masters programs today to discover the one that’s right for you.
