Graduate Program

Master of Science in Communication Disorders (Link to Graduate Catalog)

This CAA-accredited  program provides entry-level professional preparation in speech-language pathology.

The master's program in speech-language pathology at California University of Pannsylvania is 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, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. 

Graduate Course Descriptions (Link to Graduate Catalog)

Certification and Licensure:

Prospective students should be aware that successful completion of the Master of Science in Communication Disorders program is a major step, but not the only one, to becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist.
In most clinical practice situations, Speech-Language Pathologists are required to possess one or more of the following:
-Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) issued by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA)
-State License
-State Teaching Certificate

Communication Disorders faculty address certification and licensure throughout the graduate program, so that students are kept aware of current standards and their progress toward meeting them. However, it is the responsibility of the student to know the requirements and to ensure that they have been fulfilled.

Standards for the Certificate of Clinical Competence are set by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. Currently, these include:
-Successful completion of required academic work
-Passing of the Praxis 0330 Examination
-Successful completion of required clinical contact hours
-Successful completion of the Clinical Fellowship
While the first three are included as part of the graduation requirements of our program, the Clinical Fellowship  is begun only after graduation. For current standards, including details of and passing score on the Praxis 0330 Examination, required number of clinical clock hours, procedures for the Clinical Fellowship, and procedures for applying for certification, contact the American Speech-Language Hearing Association


Standards for Licensure and Teaching Certificates vary according to the state in which individual intends to practice.

For further information on Professional Licensure in  Pennsylvania contact the Bureau of Professional and Occupatiional Affairs

For further information on Teaching Certificates in Pennsylvania, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Education

Program Statistics (classes of 2005, 2006, and 2007)

-Number of students entering the program: 41
-Employment rate within 1 year: 100%
-Pass rate for the Praxis 0330 exam:  100% (Program data), 91% (ETS data)
-Completion of program within expected time frame (5 terms with undergraduate CMD degree, 7 terms without): 87%