Communicative Disorders (MS)

Admission Requirements

The application deadline for the fall semester is always the preceding February 1st.

The Preparatory Phase and the Core Phase share the following admission criteria and application process, including the application form.

Admission Criteria

  • Graduate application
  • Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
  • Completion of the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) is not currently required.
  • All applicants for whom English is a second language must also submit official TOEFL scores of 79 or higher on the internet-based test, 213 or higher on the computer-based test. English proficiency can also be met by submitting official IELTS scores of at least 6.5 overall band score from the academic module exam or official Duolingo overall score of 105.  Students holding a bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited institution in the United States may be exempt from this requirement.
  • Three supportive letters of recommendation from two academic sources and one personal source. Please use the online recommendation form when completing the application for graduate admission supplied by the Graduate School
  • A formal interview may be required of some applicants.
  • A resume is required for admission.

Student, faculty, and staff in the program are treated in a nondiscriminatory manner without regard race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, or political affiliation. The institution and program comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and executive orders pertaining thereto.


Tuition Information

For more information on tuition at the University of Louisville: louisville.edu/finance/bursar/tuition

How to Apply

The Preparatory Phase and the Core Phase use the same application form. Applications from students with undergraduate degrees in speech-language pathology will automatically be considered for admission to the Core Phase of the program. Applications from students without undergraduate degrees in speech-language pathology will be considered for admission to the Preparatory Phase of the program.

Students apply to the program using the University of Louisville, Graduate School: louisville.edu/graduate/apply.

Communicative Disorders (Speech-Language Pathology) MS Degree - Core Program

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallHours
CMDS 572 Anatomy and Physiology for Communication Sciences 4
CMDS 600 Research Methods in Speech-Language Pathology 2
CMDS 602 Speech Sound Disorders 3
CMDS 611 Practicum in Speech Pathology ((Clinical Methods)) 1
CMDS 612 Early Childhood Language Assessment & Intervention 3
 Hours13
Spring
CMDS 611 Practicum in Speech Pathology (Clinical Methods) 1
CMDS 620 Motor Speech Disorders 3
CMDS 652 School-Age Language Assessment and Intervention 3
CMDS 663 Voice Disorders 3
CMDS 690 Dysphagia 3
CMDS 699 Research Project 1
 Hours14
Summer
CMDS 611 Practicum in Speech Pathology 2
CMDS 667 Aphasia 3
CMDS 669 Cognitive-Communication Disorders 3
 Hours8
Year 2
Fall
CMDS 611 Practicum in Speech Pathology 3
CMDS 665 Fluency Disorders 3
CMDS 694 Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing 3
CMDS 696 Augmentative/ Alternative Communication 3
CMDS 699 Research Project 2
 Hours14
Spring
CMDS 611 Practicum in Speech Pathology 1-5
CMDS 658 Interprofessional Education and Practice 1
CMDS 668 Professional Issues in Audiology and Speech Pathology 3
CMDS 699 Research Project 1
 Hours6-10
 Minimum Total Hours55-59
Electives
CMDS 606CMDS Independent Study1-5
CMDS 618Counseling and Interviewing (online course)3
CMDS 691Advanced Dysphagia2

Communicative Disorders (Speech-Language Pathology) MS Degree - Preparatory Program

Fall Semester
CMDS 470/570Clinical Observation in Speech Pathology and Audiology1
AUDI 605/CMDS 405Introduction to Audiological Techniques and Rehabilitation3
CMDS 464Normal Speech and Language Development4
CMDS 474/574Multicultural Issues in Communicative Disorders3
PSYC 571Special Topics in Psychology ((undergraduate students only))3
Spring Semester
CMDS 430/630Aural Rehabilitation for the Speech-Language Pathologist3
CMDS 463/563Clinical Phonetics3
CMDS 471/571Functional Neuroanatomy3

The Master of Science in Communicative Disorders (Speech-Language Pathology) (CMDSMS) program prepares students to meet the requirements for certification and/or licensure.  If you plan to pursue professional licensure or certification you should first determine your state’s criteria for examination and licensure to see how/if our program meets those requirements prior to enrollment. We recommend that you also contact your state’s licensing board directly to verify that the requirements have not changed recently and to answer any questions especially those regarding additional requirements beyond the degree. 

More information about certification or licensure is available at the following website:  https://louisville.edu/oapa/licensure-information (you may search by school or by the name of the program then click on 'View Details' to display the information).