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California State University, Long Beach
Department of Communicative Disorders
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Programs

Notice

The Department of Communicative Disorders does NOT accept applications for a second Bachelor's degree in Communicative Disorders. Students interested in pursing a M.A. degree in Communicative Disorders who hold a Bachelor's degree in a field other than Communicative Disorders must complete a series of undergraduate pre-requisites as post-baccalaureate studentsbefore they can apply to our M.A. program. The Department is currently reviewing its policies relative to admittance of post-baccalaureate students. Please contact the Department or visit this web-page afterOctober 1, 2009 for more information about admittance to our program as a post baccalaureate in order tocomplete undergraduate pre-requisites.

 

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM

The primary goal of the undergraduate program is to provide our students with a broad education in normal and disordered processes of speech, language, hearing and swallowing. This goal has the following objectives:

  • Provide our students with an understanding of normal communication
  • Provide our students with an understanding of the genetic, cultural, neurological, physiological, psychological, and socioeconomic factors which can disrupt normal communicative processes
  • and to prepare the student for professional graduate training as speech-language pathologists.

The sequence of undergraduate courses (about 57 units) is from normal processes to disordered processes, and finally, to assessment/management of children, adolescent, and adult w/ communication & language and swallowing disorders communicative behavior.

Competition for acceptance into graduate programs continues to be high across the United States. Acceptance into a graduate program after graduation is based on grade point average, documentation of related and field experience, and letters of recommendation.

To apply to the undergraduate program at California State University, Long Beach, please apply online at www.csumentor.edu.

Information can be obtained on-line (below) or by contacting the Department Administrator at 562-985-4594.

  1. Undergraduate Counseling Guide 2008 --
  2. CSULB Catalog 2008-2009 Communicative Disorders
  3. Undergraduate Student Advisement Sheet

GRADUATE PROGRAM

The primary goal of the Graduate Program is to prepare students as professional speech-language pathologists. This goal has the following objectives:

To provide our students with:

  • advanced knowledge of the research and clinical literature in communicative disorders;
  • knowledge of the procedures and methods for the assessment of communicative disorders;
  • knowledge of the procedures for the management of communicative disorders;
  • 400 clinical contact hours with communicatively disorders individuals;
  • a one semester clinical internship or student teaching experience;
  • course work and clinical hours required for Clinical Rehabilitation Service Credential-Language Speech and Hearing;
  • course work and clinical contact hours for certification as a speech-language pathologist by the American Speech -language and Hearing Association;
  • laboratory experiences in basic and applied research; and
  • a strong background which will allow them to pursue advanced clinical and research studies.

The Department maintains a Speech-Language Clinic where graduate students receive training in the application of the various methods and procedures learned in upper division classes and graduate seminars. The Department maintains six specific speech-language clinics and a clinic Culturally and lingustically diverse clients. The Department also offers its newly created clinic in Autism. Each of our clinic rooms has audio and visual monitoring equipment for direct supervision and each contains computers for the designal presentation of clinical program. Graduate students are also able to obtain clinical experiences in a large variety of hospitals and facilities in the L.A. and Orange Counties. The Long Beach V.A. Medical Center is located next to the CSULB campus.

The Department has two programs leading to a M.A. in Communicative Disorders: (a) a traditional program, and (b) a special cohort program.  Both programs are nationally accredited by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA).  The traditional program is a state supported program in which courses are offered Monday-Friday, primarily mid-to-late afternoon, during Spring and Fall semesters.  The special cohort program is a self-supported and offered in conjunction with the University College and Extension Services (UCES).  Special cohort courses are offered Friday evenings, Saturdays and 10 weeks during the Summer.  The special cohort program enrolls students once every two years; whereas the traditional program enrolls students on an annual basis.  For a comparison of similarities and differences between these two programs, please see the chart below.

Traditional M.A. Program vs. Special Cohort M.A. Program Comparison Chart

Students must select which graduate program meets their individual needs as transfer between programs in not an option.  Regardless of the graduate program selected, admission is based on: (a) undergraduate grade point average of the last 60 units; and (b) a statement of relevant clinical or educational experience, with name of person to corroborate same.  Students may only request enrollment in one program (traditional or special cohort) per academic calendar year.  Students with an undergraduate degree in an area other than communicative disorders may apply to the department for admission as conditionally classified graduate students (see above).  Students requesting enrollment in our traditional program must either hold a bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders or have completed at least 33 units of undergraduate prerequisites in communicative disorders when their application is submitted.  Students requesting enrollment in our special cohort program must either hold a bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders or have completed all undergraduate pre-requisites before the first semester of enrollment. 

Information and admission packets for each program can be obtained on-line (below) or by contacting the Department Administrator at 562-985-4594.

Information can be obtained on-line (below) or by contacting the Department Administrstor at 562-985-4594.
NOTE: IF YOU HAVE REQUESTED OR PRINTED APPLICATION INFORMATION PRIOR TO OCTOBER 1ST, APPLICATION MATERIALS HAVE CHANGED. PLEASE RE-PRINT (BELOW) OR CONTACT DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATOR FOR A CURRENT PACKET.

APPLICATIONS FOR BOTH PROGRAMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO JANUARY 1ST, WITH AN APPICATION DEADLINE OF MARCH 1ST.

Traditional (State Funded) Program

  1. Requirements for Admission to the Graduate Program
  2. Application for Admission to the Graduate Program (TRADITIONAL APPLICATION)
  3. CSULB Catalog 2008-2009 Communicative Disorders
  4. Bilingual Program Emphasis
  5. Fulfilling Undergraduate Pre-requisities
  6. Letters of Recommendation or GRE are not required

Special Cohort (Self-Support) Program

  1. UCES Brochure (UCES)
  2. Requirements for Admission to the Graduate Program
  3. Application for Admission to the Graduate Program (COHORT APPLICATION)
  4. CSULB Catalog 2008-2009 Communicative Disorders
  5. Bilingual Program Emphasis
  6. Fulfilling Undergraduate Pre-requisities
  7. Letters of Recommendation or GRE are not required

 

Application must be returned via mail to:

Department of Communicatve Disorders
California State University Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Blvd., LAB Building
Long Beach CA 90840
Attention: Graduate Advisor