Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Department
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
College
Office of Graduate Studies and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Overview of the program
The Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders offers a Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology. Graduates of the program are eligible to obtain state licensure and national certification as speech-language pathologists. Graduates will have the credentials to work in a variety of setttings including hospitals, schools, private practice, specialty clinics, and rehabilitation centers.
The mission of the program is to facilitate life-long learning in the areas of normal and disordered communication processes, to appreciate communication differences within multicultural environments, to conduct formal and informal research to expand the profession's knowledge base, and to provide ethical, competent, and caring clinical services.
Strengths of the program
The Department of Communication Sciencesand Disorders continues to grow in the development of curriculum and clinical experiences and student and faculty professional development. Specific areas of strength include:
- Faculty that have received high student evaluations and
state, national, and international recognition.
- Full accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation
(CAA).
- Active and nationally-honored student organization, National
Student Speech Language and Hearing Association (NSSLHA) chapter.
- Opportunities for funded student research and professional
development.
- Speech science lab and technology for instruction and clinical practice.
6. Students can enroll as full-time or part-time students.
7.Students pass the national examination in speech-language pathology (i.e., PRAXIS)
at rates wellabove the national average.
Preparing for a job in the program
Students preparing for a career in speech-language pathology should:
- Exhibit oral and written communication skills necessary to
interact with a variety of individuals from various backgrounds
including individuals from culturally and
linguistically-different backgrounds.
- Develop critical-thinking skills required for clinical
judgment.
- Exhibit interpersonal abilities required to interact with
individuals with disabilities and their families and related
professional personnel.
- Prepare for life-long learning in professional areas.
Careers in the program
A Master of Sciences in Communication Sciences and Disorders will work in a variety of settings including:
- Schools
- Hospitals and rehabilitation centers
- Skilled nursing facility
- Residential care facilities
- Home health agency
- Physician's offices and clinics
- Specialty clinics (e.g., speech and hearing centers, cerebral palsy centers, autism centers)
- Private practices
- Universities
- Research labs
Starting Salaries after completing the program (estimates only)
Master-level: Speech-language pathologist
Academic year:$37,000-60,000
Calendar year:$42,000-65,000
Hourly rate for less than 25 hrs/wk:$40.00
Hourly rate for more than 25 hrs/wk:$28.33
During the more than 20 years that ASHA has been collecting salary data, salaries have increased by about 250%.
Campus organizations and activities affiliated with the program
National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA)
Related fields that might interest you
- Audiology
- Speech science
- Teacher of the Hearing Impaired
- Sign language interpreter
- Special education teacher
- University professor
- Psychology
- Counseling
- Health sciences
- Linguistics
How do I know this is the degree for me?
Common Strengths and interests of students in the program
Helpful qualities for speech-language pathology majors include:
- A desire to help others
- Interest in health sciences
- Critical-thinking skills
- Good communication (oral and written language) skills
- Good interpersonal skills
- Flexibility
- Motivation to learn
- Independence
- Creativity
- Maturity
Notable Alumni
- Joan Babin- Private Practitioner.
Joan has become one of the region's foremost experts in fluency disorders. In addition to the Certificate of Clinical Competence awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Joan holds two national specialty certifications, Fluency Specialist and Fluency Mentor. These designations require additional training and experience beyond the master's degree, as well as passage of a rigorous national examination. Joan was the first ASHA-certified Fluency Specialist in Louisiana, and one of the first ten nationwide.
Joan currently has a thriving private practice dedicated solely to evaluating and treating clients with fluency disorders and working with their families. She receives numerous referrals from speech-language pathologists all over the region. In addition, Joan attends diligently to an agenda of outreach and community service. For example, she founded and directs the St. John and St. Charles Summer Fluency Camp, which caters to campers who stutter. Joan obtained funding through the United Way so that campers may attend the camp free of charge. The program offers intensive speech therapy, activities to improve the children's confidence and self-esteem, and counseling for the children and their families. Southeastern students have often participated in this camp as volunteer counselors. - Carol Negrotto- Coordinator of Speech-Language Hearing
Therapy Programs, St. Tammany Parish Public Schools.
As Coordinator, Carol is responsible for hiring, assigning, and managing 109 speech-language pathologists, over half of whom are Southeastern alumni. Carol holds a license in speech-language pathology from the LA Board of Examiners, and she also earned the nationally recognized Certificate of Clinical Competence in speech-language pathology awarded by ASHA. Carol is recognized across the state as an ardent advocate for individuals with communication disorders, as well as for the professionals and the profession who serve these individuals. Carol generously gives her time to serve on numerous committees of local and state organizations. Recently, she was instrumental in lobbying the legislature for approval of supplemental pay for master-level speech-language pathologists who work in Louisiana's public schools. - Janet Mora- Director of the innovative Chartwell Center in
New Orleans.
Janet is certified in speech-language pathology, elementary education, learning disabilities, and school administration. She is the director of the innovative Chartwell Center in New Orleans, a unique school-within-a-school that uses an eclectic blend of best practice methodologies to educate children with autism spectrum disorders and other disabilities. Janet is co-author of a book entitled The Sensory Connection - An OT and SLP Approach, and is a popular, nationally known speaker on the applied use of sensory integration techniques to facilitate communication skills development. - S. Genia Britt- Speech-language pathologist in the St.
Tammany Parish public schools.
Genia is well known for her creativity in integrating technology into various types of communication intervention. She has shared her practical ideas at 10 national and regional conferences, and was selected Elks Teacher of the Year in St. Tammany Parish in 2004. Genia continues to serve the Southeastern community by supervising graduate practica and providing guest lectures in her areas of expertise.
Contact Information
Department
of Communication Sciences and Disorders
SLU 10879
Hammond, LA 70402
On Campus: Campbell Hall, Room 102
Telephone: 985-549-2214
Fax: 985-549-5030
csd@selu.edu
