[1] Master of Science
[1.1] Objectives
The MS degree program in Communication Sciences and Disorders is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is designed to meet academic and clinical standards for ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology.
Each graduate of the program will also meet academic and clinical requirements for Arkansas licensure in Speech-Language Pathology and Arkansas teacher licensure. In addition to any undergraduate deficiencies for these certifications, the student must complete a minimum of 33 hours of academic study and 14 hours of practicum. Twenty-four of the total 54 hours must be at the 6000 level. The student must meet with the departmental graduate advisor to prepare a plan of study to ensure that all requirements are met. A student must maintain a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 and maintain satisfactory non academic criteria that are important to function as a speech-language pathologist. Finally, each student must adhere to the rules of ethical conduct as described in the Code of Ethics of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
[1.2] Admission Requirements
Admission is competitive and selective and enrollment is limited. In addition to the Graduate School admission requirements, Communication Sciences and Disorders requires (1) submission of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test prior to the department’s recommendation to the Graduate School for admission to graduate studies and (2) submission of a resume, narrative and recommendation form. A maximum of 17-18 credit hours may be transferred from another graduate program, subject to the approval of the departmental graduate advisor. Students should submit applications by February 1 for consideration for summer or fall admission.
[2] Doctor of Philosophy
The Doctor of Philosophy in Communication Sciences and Disorders is provided through a consortium of three institutions: The University of Central Arkansas, The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The name of this consortium is the Arkansas Consortium for the PhD in Communication Sciences and Disorders. The consortium structure offers the opportunity for interdisciplinary research in both medically oriented sites and in conventional college campus locations. The program prepares graduates for teaching and research through coursework and internships in grant writing, teaching and clinical supervision as well as research and discipline specific areas of study.
[2.1] Admission Requirements
Admission to the program is made by application through the UAMS Graduate School and a program application. A graduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology and/or Audiology is required as well as appropriate state licensure. Complete admission requirements and processes are located on the program website [link updated 2020-04-21].
[2.2] Program Requirements
The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders requires a minimum of 70 semester credit hours. Within the 70 hour requirement, students complete a minimum of: 9 hours of statistics, 3 hours of advanced research methods, 6 hours of a research project (pre-dissertation), 18 hours in doctoral seminars, 10 hours in professional development, 6 hours in a collateral area and 18 hours of dissertation research.
[2.3] Graduation Requirements
- Successful completion of an approved program of study as outlined above
- Successful completion of comprehensive examinations
- Successful completion of the dissertation
[3] Graduate Courses in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD)
Follow this link for CSD course descriptions: course link.