Master of Science Program (MS)

About this program

The program leading to the Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders offers preparation for careers in the professional practice of speech-language pathology.  It provides a basis for graduate study and research at a more advanced level, and encourages growth in independence.  The courses are designed to:

• increase understanding in the basic sciences of communication and swallowing
• develop competence in the practice of prevention, evaluation, and intervention of communication and swallowing disorders
• increase competence in research; and,
• promote a sense of ethics and responsibility toward the speech, language, and hearing handicapped and toward the community.

The clinical services of the Department, Loma Linda University Medical Center, and affiliated practicum sites provide the opportunity for supervised clinical experiences that represent the breadth and depth of the profession in a variety of settings.

Upon completion of the Master of Science program, graduates are eligible for the Preliminary Speech-Language Pathology Services credential (CA public schools) and the Temporary License in Speech-Language Pathology (CA Dept. of Consumer Affairs). They are also prepared to seek employment as a Clinical Fellow, working towards the Certificate of Clinical Competence through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's Council for Clinical Certification.

Accreditation

This program is accredited by The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (www.professional.asha.org)  and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. (www.ctc.ca.gov)

Any concerns about the program's compliance with accreditation standards may be submitted to The Council of Academic Accreditation, 2200 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850, (301) 897-5700; (800) 498-2071, (301) 571-0481 TTY.

University Student Learning Outcomes

Students will meet the following institutional learning outcomes:

1.  Understand and apply LLUs philosophy of wholeness in personal and professional life.
2.  Understand the importance of integrating LLU's Christ-centered values into personal and professional life.
3.  Demonstrate critical thinking.
4.  Develop a commitment to discovery and life long learning.
5.  Demonstrate effective oral and written communication.
6.  Demonstrate effective use of technology appropriate for the degree level and discipline.
7.  Understand the importance of embracing and serving a diverse world.
8.  Demonstrate the importance of collaborating with others within and across disciplines.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students will also meet the following institutional student learning outcomes:

1.  Students will demonstrate knowledge of communication disorders and differences and swallowing disorders, and methods of prevention, evaluation, and intervention.
2.  Students will demonstrate skill in selecting appropriate tools and conducting evaluations with diverse populations and across the lifespan.
3.  Students will demonstrate skill in conducting intervention with diverse populations and across the lifespan.
4.  Students will demonstrate interaction and personal qualities consistent with the standards of the profession.
5.  Students will demonstrate knowledge of school-based speech-language pathology services, including, but not limited to, multiple service delivery models, federal law and state education code, respect for and sensitivity to diverse populations, preparing and conducting IEP.
6.  Students will demonstrate knowledge of processes used in discipline-related research.
7.  Students will demonstrate knowledge of counseling principles and practices applied to the practice of speech-language pathology with diverse populations and across the lifespan.

 

Employment Rates in the Profession

Period	# Graduates	% of Graduates
2010-2011	17	94%
2009-2010	16	100%
2008-2009	15	100%
3-Year Average		98%

 

Pass Rates for Praxis Exam (ETS Data)

Period	# of Students Taking Exam	# of Students Passed	Pass Rate (%)
2010-2011	16	16	100%
2009-2010	26	23	88%
2008-2009	16	26	100%
3- Year Average			96%

Admission

• Bachelor's degree in Speech-Language Pathology or in communicative disorders or equivalent coursework (see Master of Science-Transitional Program).  A completed post-baccalaureate program qualiifies the applicant to apply to the Master of Science program.  A letter documenting completion of the post-baccalaureate program is required.  **Note: Students admitted to the graduate program must show evidence of having completed a minimum of one undergraduate course in each of the following areas: biological sciences (such as biology, human anatomy, etc), physical sciences (physics or chemistry preferred), statistics, and the social/behavioral sciences (such as psychology, sociology, educational psychology, etc.)
• Literate personal statement (part of the online application)
• Three letters of recommendation, preferably academic (part of the online application)
• Minimum GPA of 3.3
• Interview for applicants who qualify and receive an invitation.
• Written communication assessment (conducted at interview) for applicants who qualify and receive an invitation.
• Note:  Students are required to take the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST) within the first quarter of study.

Application

The graduate application is available online.  The application window opens October 1.
Applications and all supporting information (transcripts, recommendations, etc) must be submitted by December 15.

Official transcripts of all academic records from colleges,universities and professional or technical schools must be provided.  It is the applicant's responsibility to have transcripts sent directly to the Loma Linda University.    Transcripts that are hand carried or sent by the applicant are deemed unofficial and may delay the application process. 

Please use the following address when requesting transcripts:

Loma Linda University
Admissions Processing
Loma Linda CA 92350

Regular Admission, may be granted to applicants who meet admission criteria, who have no undergraduate deficiencies, who demonstrate professional potential and who demonstrate the highest academic requirements for admission to the graduate program.  Note:  The required minimum 3.3 GPA does not guarantee admission.  In most years, the pool of applicants is highly qualified and applicants will be in competition with much higher GPAs.

Alternate Status, may be granted to qualified applicants who are not  accepted in the first round of selection.

Denial of Admission, The applicant did not meet one or more of the admission requirements or because the application was incomplete or late.

Timeline

1.  All documents must be received by December 15 for the following fall quarter admission. 
2.  Department Admissions Committee reviews applications beginning in early January.
3.  Department Admissions Committee selects applicants for interview and sends recommendations to the School of Allied Health Professions Admissions Committee.
4.  Applicants selected for Interview are notified in late January.
5.  Interviews and on-site Written Communication Assessment- February
6.  Department Admissions Committee makes final admissions decisions.
7.  Applicants are notified of status three-to-four weeks following interview and final review of the application.

The Program

Full-time students who enter the program with an undergraduate degree in communicative disorders will complete the program in seven quarters of coursework. Students go through the program as a cohort, entering in fall quarter.  In the first and second years, including the summer following the first year, graduate courses are taught in the late afternoon/early evening, and on one Friday morning per month.  All students are required to take clinical practicum (usually one morning or afternoon per week) each quarter.  In the winter and spring quarters of the second year. students complete their full-time public school placement and medical placement.

Please note:  Students who are admitted to the Master of Science Program may be required to go out of state for one or both of the last two quarters of their program.  This advance notice is given so that students will be prepared financially.

All students are eligible for graduate assistantship, which permits students to work on campus or in local programs.  Otherwise, students may be able to hold part time jobs a few mornings per week, provided they do not interfere with clinical assignments, classes, or preparation/assignments.   Students are not permitted to work on waivers or as a speech-language pathologist in the public schools as long as they are in the program.  Violation of this policy may be considered grounds for immediate dismissal from the program.

 

Expected Time Frame for Completion of the Program (Full Time)

With CSD Undergraduate Major	7 quarters
Without CSD Undergraduate Major	11 quarters

Completion Rates

Period	#Completed within Expected Time Frame	#Completed Later Than Expected Time Frame	# Not completed	% Completed
2010-2011	19	0	0	100%
2009-2010	17	0	0	100%
2008-2009	15	1	0	100%
3-Year Average	16			100%

Degree requirements

Students who have been accepted into the Master of Science program are already recognized as academic achievers.  Expectations for these students are high.  Candidates for the master's degree are expected to:

• Meet academic and professional standards of excellence.
• Exhibit the highest quality work in the classroom and in the clinic and as a graduate assistant
• Demonstrate excellence in follow through. completing all assignments and commitments in the agreed-upon time frame
• Show initiative and support for volunteer and extracurricular professional and student organizations.
• Exhibit interaction and personal qualities consistent with professionalism.
• The program of study consists of completing: (a) required graduate-level courses; (b) supervised clinical practice; and. (c) the comprehensive examination.

Requirements

1.  A minimum of one quarter in residence as a graduate student.
2.  A minimum GPA of B (3.0) with no course grade below a C (2.0) on all work for the master's degree.
3.  Didactic Coursework: A minimum of 49 quarter units of CMSD graduate credit.
4.  Clinical Practice:  A minimum of 2 units of CMSD 567, 1 unit of 586, 1 unit of 596, 8 units of 588, and 8 units of 597.
5.  Completion of of the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST)
6.  Completion of Graduate Portfolio
7.  Completion of Instrumentation competencies.

California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST)

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires that all students in the credential program take the CBEST.  This must be done before entering the graduate program or within the first quarter.   When students are admitted to the master's program in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Loma Linda University, they are automatically accepted into the credential program.

The California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) is a measure of reading, writing and mathematics proficiency and is required by law for anyone applying for a credential in the public schools of California and Oregon.  The test is give by National Evaluation Systems, INC., Box 340880, Sacramento, CA 95834-0880. (916) 928-4001.  Additional information may be found at www.cbest.nesino.com

Students must give their original "Passing Score" card to the Department's Administrative Assistant.  The test can be repeated as often as necessary, but must be passed before the applicant can be recommended for the credential. The CBEST test result is good for life.

Program Course Listings

University Catalog course listings-  Look for courses with CMSD prefixes.

Clinical practicum

Graduate students are eligible for clinical practicum provided they:

1. Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA; no course below a C (2.0)
2. Have provided the Department with documentation of current CPR Certification
3. Have provided the Department with the CA CTC Certificate of Clearance
4. Have provided the Department with evidence of having taken the CBEST

The Clinical Coordinator assigns students to clinical sites.  All students rotate through the clinical sites as assigned and are expected to be enrolled in a clinical practicum each quarter.  

• First-year graduate students are assigned to one clinic per quarter.  Each of these clinics consists of approximately 1/2 day per week per quarter, with additional time spent in preparation and supervisory conferences. All  first-year graduate students rotate through Educational Fieldwork I (one quarter each)
• Additional clinical experiences may include:  Autism; Fluency; ESL/Accent Modification; and Phonology.
• Second-year graduate students who successfully complete the clinical assignments in the first year are eligible for CMSD 597 Medical Fieldwork I, completed during the winter or spring quarter, and CMSD 588 Medical Fieldwork II, completed during the winter or spring quarter.
• Students who are admitted to the Master of Science Program may be required to go out of state for one or both of the last two quarters of their program.  This advance notice is given so that the student will be prepared financially.

Comprehensive Examination

The Comprehensive Examination (administered within the Department) is a culmination event in the graduate program, and is designed to evaluate students' broad based knowledge across the disorders.  The comprehensive exam is an assessment of written communication, as well as the student's ability to integrate and apply what has been learned.  Students who have demonstrated satisfactory performance in course work and clinical placements at the end of the first year of graduate study are given approval to take the comprehensive examination.

Praxis Exam

The Praxis examination (administered by a national testing service) is a multiple-choice exam designed to evaluate students' broad based knowledge across the disorders, and is required for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) for the CA License in Speech-Language Pathology, and for the CA Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential in the public schools.  It is a nationally standardized and publicly administered test.  A passing score of 600 must be achieved, and the test may be taken multiple times.  Information about the Praxis Exam may be obtaining by going to: www.ets.org/praxis.

First-year graduate students are required to take the Praxis at the end of the spring quarter.   As practice for this exam, the Department provides a preparation workshop, which all students are required to attend.  Second-year graduate students and former students who have not passed the Praxis may also join the preparation workshop.

Each student's progress in the graduate program is reviewed quarterly.  Written feedback is provided along with recommendations for remediation, if needed.  In addition, the graduate advisor meets with each cohort twice annually, as a group, and at least once a year with each student individually.

Remediation

LLU graduates (former students or  Clinical Fellows) who do not achieve a passing score on the Praxis Exam may take any courses and or seminars offered by the department free of charge, in order to refresh knowledge or remediate areas of concern.  These individuals may also join the preparation workshop free of charge.

Students who need to retake a course may do so at half tuition.  The need to repeat a course may cause significant delay in completion of the program.  Students who fail to meet expectations in clinical practicum will receive a grade of Unsatisfactory, and will be required to repeat the practicum.  For each student who fails to met expectations, an individual remediation plan is developed, with input from the student and any or all of the following: the graduate program director, the clinical coordinator, the clinical instructor and the course instructor.  The remediation plan must specify tasks of competencies, timeliness, and criteria for successful outcome.

Assistantships

Graduate Assistantships are available to graduate students and transitional master's students through the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.  Students typically work 6 to 8 hours per week for three (3) quarters, or 4 to 6 hours per week for four (4) quarters. Advantages of working as a graduate assistant include flexible hours and exposure to different aspects of the profession. 

Graduate assistants work in a variety of local settings and responsibilities vary considerably, ranging from clerical to assisting in teaching, research, and administration. Graduate Assistantship placements are assigned by the department Administrative Assistant.

Graduate students who wish to apply for an assistantship must apply through the Department Administrative Assistant prior to the start of the quarter.

Contact information

Communication Sciences and Disorders Department
School of Allied Health Professions
Loma Linda University
Nichol Hall Room A506
Loma Linda Ca 92350

Toll free phone: (800) 422-4558-1-4
Department phone: (909) 651-5878
Fax: (909) 558-4305
Email: cmsd@llu.edu

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