Communication Sciences and Disorders
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Degree Requirements

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Important Announcement: Changes to Degree Requirements For Students Entering After Summer 2025

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is pleased to announce updates to our Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Master’s degree curriculum for students entering the program in Summer 2025 and beyond.

Check Out What’s New


The MA program is full-time and spread over a two-year period (6 semesters) for students with a background in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (SLP) or in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD). For students without a background in SLP or CSD, the MA program is spread over 8 semesters. All students complete a series of clinical practica at the Montclair State University Center for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, externships at a variety of sties in the New Jersey-New York area including hospitals, public schools and rehabilitation facilities.

The requirements include a minimum of 54 semester credit hours, successful completion of

  • a minimum of 33 credits in the academic core (11 classes), 15 credits of clinical classes (three clinical practicum courses and two full-time externships), and 6 credits of non-core courses;
  • a minimum of 400 clinical practicum hours including 25 hours of observation and at least 350 clinical hours at the graduate level;
  • a capstone project (to be completed before first externship) and comprehensive experiences (final two externships)

Course Listing:

Required Core 33 credits
CSND 511 Language Disorders of Adults 3
CSND 515 Voice Disorders 3
CSND 517 Phonological and Articulation Disorders 3
CSND 521 Clinical Process and Procedures in Speech-Language Pathology 3
CSND 524 Evaluation and Treatment of Swallowing Disorders 3
CSND 525 Motor Speech Disorders 3
CSND 556 Augmentative and Alternative Communication Across the Lifespan 3
CSND 583 Language Disorders of Children 3
CSND 585 Fluency Disorders 3
CSND 587 Language Disorders in School Age Children 3
CSND 592 Research in Speech-Language Pathology 3
Non-Core  6 credits
CSND 500 Language Assessment
CSDN 505 Counseling in SLP
CSND 512 Diagnosis in Speech-Language Pathology
CSND 518 Advanced Topics in Adult Language
CSND 520 Audiology for Speech-Language Pathology
CSND 523 Educational Audiology
CSND 534 Advanced topics in Clinical Instrumentation
CSND 557 Evaluation and Treatment of Autism
CSND 560 Childhood Apraxia of Speech
CSND 573 Organization and Administration of Speech and Language Programs in Schools
CSND 576 Auditory Rehabilitation
CSND 594 Independent study
CSND 598 Special Topics in Communication Sciences and Disorders
CSND 601 Auditory Processing Disorders
Clinical Requirements  18 credits
CSND 535 Beginning Practicum in Communication Disorders 3
CSND 562 Intermediate Practicum in Communication Disorders 3
CSND 599 Advanced Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology 3
CSND 600 Externship in Speech-Language Pathology 3
Select one course with advisement (CSND 600 may be repeated): 3
CSND 600 Externship in Speech-Language Pathology (repeated if not taking school option)
CSND 603 School Externship in Speech Language Pathology
TOTAL 54 credits*

*Students missing any prerequisites may have as many as 72 credits required to complete the degree

 

Projected schedule based on cohort

Summer start/ with background  Fall start/ with background Without background cohort
Coursework Summer 1, Fall 1, Spring 1, Summer 2 Fall 1, Spring 1, Summer 2, Fall 2 Fall 1, Spring 1, Summer 2, Fall 2, Spring 2, Summer 3
Onsite Clinic Fall 1, Spring 1, Summer 2 Spring 1, Summer 2, Fall 2 Summer 2, Fall 2, Spring 2
Externships Fall 2 and Spring 2 Spring 2, Summer 3 Fall and Spring 3