Academic Coursework

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders is comprised of three key elements: 

1. Academic coursework

2. Clinical experiences and externships

3. Capstone: Mentored research experience

Academic coursework

Proposed curriculum (effective fall 2025)

Students complete 54-56 credits during the master’s program comprised of academic coursework and clinical experiences. Academic courses are taught in residence on the University Park campus.

CSD 500: Research Methods in CSD (2 cr)

CSD 520: Speech Motor Control and Motor Speech Disorders (3 cr)

CSD 540: Phonological Disabilities (3 cr)

CSD 541: Voice Production: Differences and Disorders (2 cr)

CSD 542: Fluency Disorders (2 cr)

CSD 543: Cleft Palate and Resonance Disorders (1 cr)

CSD 546: Language Disorders in Adults (3 cr)

CSD 547: Language Disorders in Children (3 cr)

CSD 548: Dysphagia (3 cr)

*CSD 549: Speech-Language Pathologists in the Schools (3 cr)

CSD 551: Assessment and Intervention in AAC (3 cr)

CSD 557: Autism Across the Lifespan (1 cr)

CSD 594: Research (2 cr)

CSD 815: SLP Professional Practice & Counseling (2 cr)

CSD 841: Culturally Responsive Practice in CSD (1 cr)

CSD 852: AAC Technology Problem-Based Learning Lab (2 cr)

*CSD 853: Medical SLP (3 cr)

CSD 854: Tracheostomy and Ventilator (1 cr)

CSD 895A: Speech Therapy Practicum (in house practicum) (1-3 cr)

CSD 895C: Speech-Language Therapy Externship (7-15 cr)

CSD 895I: Speech Pathology Mini-Placement Externship (1-9 cr)

*Students will choose between CSD 549 and CSD 853. CSD 549 is required for students who plan on obtaining teacher certification.

Students are required to maintain a cumulative grade point average of a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) across their graduate courses.

Some students may have additional course responsibilities related to missing prerequisite courses, grant-specific courses, grant-related requirements, or remediation/support plans.

Typical offering

The sequence of courses for each cohort is provided at orientation and is subject to change.

Course access and availability

Please note that the sequence of department course offerings affords little or no flexibility from the proposed schedule. All students must consult with their advisor or graduate professor-in-charge prior to any deviation from the proposed schedule in place at time of admission.

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders does not permit nondegree students to enroll in master's level coursework. Students are required to be admitted to the Graduate School at Penn State.

Course information 

To access course syllabi you must be logged in with your Penn State user ID. Others needing access should email gradCSD@psu.edu for assistance.

Capstone: Mentored research experience

We believe the foundation of being an excellent SLP is the ability to read, understand, and use research to provide evidence-based assessments and interventions for our clients. 

To foster your skills in research, all M.S. students will complete a mentored, research-based capstone experience alongside our research faculty. Students have the option of completing a thesis or a master’s student research paper.

Starting in the fall semester, students will work with a research advisor from one of our active research programs in areas such as:

• Augmentative and alternative communication
• Autism
• Developmental language disorders
• Somatosensory processing
• Speech production
• Aphasia
• Dysphagia

Students will continue to work with their advisor to complete a research project that may be conducting a qualitative or quantitative research project, analyzing existing research data, or writing a literature review. They will be guided through their research project over the course of four semesters.

The master’s student research paper is due prior to going out on the final externship experience.