Communication Sciences and Disorders (CDIS)
Steven Wheeler
Department Head
606 N. Razorback Road
479-575-4910
Email: wheelers@uark.edu
Rachel Glade
Program Director
270 Epley Center for Health Professions
479-575-3575
Email: rglade@uark.edu
Jessica Danley
Clinical Education Coordinator
267 Epley Center for Health Professions
479-575-4085
Email: jessicad@uark.edu
Communication Sciences and Disorders Website
Degrees Conferred:
M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CDISMS)
The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology [residential] at the University of Arkansas is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Blvd., # 310, Rockville, MD 20850; 800-498-2071 or 800-301-5700.
M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Prerequisites to Degree Program: Applicants to the M.S. degree in communication sciences and disorders with an emphasis in speech-language pathology are expected to have completed prerequisite course work in normal speech, language, and hearing functions, normal development, and speech-language and hearing disorders, as well as biological and physical sciences, behavioral and social sciences, and mathematics. Prospective applicants with undergraduate degrees in other disciplines should contact the Program Adviser for further information. To be considered for admission to graduate study in communication sciences and disorders, applicants must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.00 in undergraduate course work and must submit transcripts of all college-level coursework, a personal statement, and three letters of recommendation from persons competent to judge the applicant’s potential for graduate studies. All applicants must submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination for full consideration. Students are only accepted for Fall admission. The application deadline is January 15 and must be completed using the CSDCAS centralized electronic application process (see the Communication Sciences and Disorders website for details). Incomplete and/or late applications will not be considered. Admission decisions are based on demonstrated graduate potential as well as best fit for the program
Requirements for the Master of Science Degree: The M.S. degree program in communication sciences and disorders is designed to ensure that all degree candidates meet the minimum academic and clinical practicum requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The degree program requires a minimum of five academic semesters to complete, including continuous enrollment in the summer session between the first and second years. Thesis and non-thesis options are available. All candidates for the M.S. degree are required to pass a written comprehensive examination. All candidates are required to obtain a license for an electronic software program to track clinical experience throughout the program.
The program requires 36 hours of graduate-level academic credit and 17 hours of graduate-level clinical credit for the M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Required courses, clinical courses, and electives are listed below.
| Required Core Courses (27 hours) | ||
| CSDI 51043 | Research Methodology in Communication Disorders | 3 |
| CSDI 51231 | Feeding and Swallowing Disorders Lab | 1 |
| CSDI 51232 | Feeding and Swallowing Disorders | 2 |
| CSDI 52103 | Voice and Resonance Disorders | 3 |
| CSDI 52203 | Fluency Disorders | 3 |
| CSDI 52303 | Speech Sound Disorders | 3 |
| CSDI 52433 | Language Disorders in Adults | 3 |
| CSDI 52733 | Language, Learning and Literacy | 3 |
| CSDI 53403 | Cognitive Communication in Adults | 3 |
| CSDI 52933 | Augmentative and Alternative Communication | 3 |
| Clinical Courses (17 hours) | ||
| CSDI 51803 | Advanced Clinical Practicum I | 3 |
| CSDI 52833 | Advanced Clinical Practicum II | 3 |
| CSDI 53803 | Advanced Clinical Practicum III | 3 |
| CSDI 54803 | Advanced Clinical Practicum IV | 3 |
| CSDI 55805 | Advanced Clinical Practicum V | 5 |
| CDIS Graduate-Level Electives | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 53 | |
Academic Retention Policy:
All graduate students are subject to the Graduate School Policies.
In addition to the graduate school policies, the Communication Sciences and Disorders program has adopted a more stringent set of academic guidelines that align with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
To complete the M.S. Degree:
Students will be retained and progress through the graduate program by meeting the following requirements:
1. Follow all CDIS Policies as noted in the CDIS graduate and clinic manuals.
2. Only those that have a graduate GPA of ≥3.0 will be cleared for graduation from the program. In addition, no credit is earned for courses in which a grade of “F” or “D” is recorded (but these courses count towards GPA). Courses in which a grade of "F" or "D" are earned must be retaken, and a passing grade (“C” or better) must be earned prior to graduation. The maximum number of credit hours that can be retaken is 6 hours.
3. At the end of each semester (i.e., August, December and May), student progress will be assessed. Students will be placed on probation if:
a. Cumulative GPA is less than or equal to a 2.85 (student will receive a letter from the graduate school) or the student earned two “C”s or lower in the semester being evaluated (student will receive a letter from the program director).
4. Students on probation will be reassessed at the end of the following semester. Re-assessment will determine if the student is removed from probation or is dismissed from the program.
a. Student removed from probation: If the student earns greater than a “C” in all coursework during the probation semester AND the cumulative GPA is greater than 2.85.
b. Student is dismissed from the program: If the student earns any grade less than a “B” during the probation semester (regardless of cumulative GPA).
A student cannot graduate while on probation. If they are on probation during their final semester, a student must earn a “B” or greater in all of their coursework. Likewise, their final cumulative GPA must be greater than or equal to a 3.00 (see point 2 above).
To complete requirements for state licensure and ASHA certification, students must complete the additional requirements listed below:
- Students must abide by the ASHA Code of Ethics and ASHA Scope of Practice for Speech-Language-Pathologists at all time while enrolled in the program.
- First-time offense: Remediation plan determined by the CDIS Program Director and academic advising committee.
- Second offense: Dismissal from the program.
- Graduate students are expected to demonstrate competency for each of the course objectives. If a student's performance falls below the 80% level for any objective, the student will be expected to complete additional assignments or assessments until competency is demonstrated. Remediation assignments/assessments will be agreed upon by the instructor and the student. Examples of remediation strategies include weekly meetings with the course instructor to review course materials and complete additional assignments, completion of alternate exams or quizzes, and completion of related research projects. Remediation projects are intended to allow students to demonstrate required competencies and may have no effect on the final course grade. Each student's overall performance in the program will be assessed at mid-term and at the end of each semester to determine if a formal intervention plan is required. See the CDIS Graduate Student Academic Handbook for information regarding the University of Arkansas regulations for academic performance, probation, and CDIS intervention plans.
Students should also be aware of Graduate School requirements with regard to master's degrees.
The Program Coordinator, in consultation with the Master’s Committee, Department Head, and the Graduate School, has the authority and responsibility to dismiss a student from the program for unethical or unprofessional behavior. Students who have been dismissed by the program on the basis of unethical or unprofessional conduct may appeal the decision following the procedures outlined under the Unethical and Unprofessional Conduct policy contained in the Graduate Catalog of Studies.
Graduate Faculty
Bowers, Andrew L., Ph.D. (University of Tennessee Health Science Center), M.A., B.A. (University of Tennessee), Associate Professor, Department of Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy, 2012, 2019.
Bowers, Lisa Marie, Ph.D. (University of Tennessee Health Science Center), M.A., B.A. (Louisiana State University), Associate Professor, Department of Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy, 2012, 2019.
Frazier, Kimberly Frances, Ph.D. (University of South Carolina–Columbia), M.S., B.S.E. (University of Arkansas), Associate Professor, Department of Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy, 2007, 2013.
Glade, Rachel E., Ph.D. (University of Arkansas), M.S. (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences), M.A. (University of Arkansas), B.S. (University of Arkansas at Little Rock), Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy, 2015, 2017.
Haghighi, Mohammad, Ph.D. (Ohio University), Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy, 2019.
Holyfield, Christine E., Ph.D. (Pennsylvania State University), M.A. (University of Kansas), B.S. (Central Michigan University), Associate Professor, Department of Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy, 2017, 2022.