Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Frequently Asked Questions
Info Accordions
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) offers a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Speech-Language Pathology. It is a full-time, campus-based program that is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA).
The M.S. degree is a full-time, campus-based program. We do not have a part-time option. While some courses are offered online, the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) does not offer an online degree.
We require a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0, on a 4.0 scale, for all admitted students. Successful applicants in recent years have had an average cumulative GPA within the range of 3.56–3.7, on a 4.0 scale, for their undergraduate career. We closely review your grades in the major and grades in prerequisite courses (basic sciences and professional) with the expectation that they will be completed with at least a 3.0, i.e., a grade of “B” in each course.
The GRE test is optional for this admission cycle and not required. Students have the option of submitting scores.
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) welcomes qualified applicants from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds. Successful applicants have had backgrounds in the basic and social sciences, arts and education, as well as communication sciences and disorders.
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) only admits students for the Fall semester, which is the start of the curriculum sequence. The deadline to apply for the Fall semester is January 15.
We generally admit 25 to 30 students for the two-year sequence and 25 students for the three-year sequence.
Yes, the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers a three-year course sequence for students who have not completed all of their prerequisite coursework. These individuals must have an undergraduate degree but need to complete some or all of the required prerequisite coursework.
Applicants are typically notified of their admission by mid-to-late March, and the applicant’s decision regarding an admission offer is due by April 15.
A deposit of $200 is required to secure your seat and will be credited towards tuition for your first semester of classes. The deposit is non-refundable.
Students are required to enroll during the summer semester after completing their first year of required core graduate coursework.
A student admitted unconditionally to the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders who has completed all prerequisite courses (including basic science courses) is expected to graduate in 5–6 semesters of full-time study and clinical practicum, including the summer semester. Students who have not completed the prerequisite coursework or their guided observation hours before enrollment typically take 7–8 semesters, including at least one summer semester. All students are expected to earn at least 60 graduate credit hours to complete the program, not including prerequisite coursework.
Students participate in clinical practicum each semester. First-year students participate in our on-campus clinic, which provides services across the lifespan, including bilingual services. During their second year in the program, students will have community placements in educational, private practice or medical settings to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to meet licensure and certification requirements upon graduation.
Please visit North Carolina Central University’s Student Accounting page for information on the cost of attendance.
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers graduate assistantships based on funding from North Carolina Central University’s School of Graduate Studies. Details regarding opportunities for graduate assistantships are provided after the application deadline to students who apply for admission. Additionally, there are opportunities for scholarships and funded training opportunities. Contact the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid (OSSA) for information on financial aid.
The department has a long history of enrolling international students. An international applicant is anyone who is a citizen or permanent resident of a country other than the United States. International applicants must submit official evaluations of transcripts from all foreign institutions and complete an interview for admission. Visit our webpage on admissions and the webpage for the School of Graduate Studies for more information.