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for California State University, Fresno.
Department of
Communicative Disorders and Deaf Studies
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
Communicative Disorders Major
Major requirements (41-47 units)
Options
Select one:
Audiology (41 units)
CDDS 80, 91,
95, 101,
102, 103,
105, 107,
109, 110,
116, 128,
131, 141,
172
Deaf Education (47 units)
CDDS 80, 93,
94S, 95,
106, 114,
121, 128,
131, 136,
138, 139,
141, 162,
163, 164
Interpreting (41 units)
CDDS 80, 93,
94S, 95,
106, 136,
138, 139,
141, 166,
169, 170,
175, 188T
(2 units)
Speech-Language Pathology (47 units)
CDDS 80, 91,
95, 101,
102, 103,
105, 107,
109, 110,
114, 115,
116, 128,
131, 171,
172
General Education requirements (51 units)
Electives and remaining degree requirements (22-28 units)*
Courses may be used to satisfy credential requirements or a minor in another
field. See advising notes 4 and 5 for recommended electives.
Total (120 units)
__________
* CDDS 92 in G.E. Breadth C2 also may be applied
to the communicative disorders major for students in the deaf education
and interpreting options.
Advising Notes
- CR/NC grading is not permitted for CDDS majors for any coursework required in the major, with the exception of clinical courses. (See course descriptions.)
- General Education and elective units may be used toward a double major or minor (see Double Major or departmental minor). Consult the appropriate department chair, program coordinator, or faculty adviser for further information.
- Students in CDDS 110, 162, 163, 164, and other clinical, internship, and student teaching courses are required to show health certification that they are free from tuberculosis and rubella, and to purchase student clinic malpractice insurance for the clinical courses (see the University Speech and Hearing Clinic director for details).
- PSYCH 101 is a required credential course than can also be used as an undergraduate elective.
- A statistics course is a prerequisite to CDDS 200, which is typically taken the first semester of graduate work. It is recommended that students take statistics as an undergraduate elective prior to applying to graduate school.
- No General Education Multicultural/International course offered by the Communicative Disorders and Deaf Studies Department may be used to satisfy the General Education requirements for majors in the department.
Certificate in Conversational American Sign Language
The Certificate in Conversational American Sign Language will be awarded to students who first complete the 12-unit program of study consisting of four advanced deaf studies classes and then pass the departmental proficiency interview in American Sign Language. The recipients of the certificate are considered fluent and possess the expressive and receptive communication skills needed to successfully communicate with deaf and hard-of-hearing children, youth, and adults.
The following list includes the required courses. Students must complete all the coursework with a C grade or better.
Required (12 units)
CDDS 94S, 106,
136, 139
Note: No course substitutions may be made without the department's approval. CDDS 91, 92, 93, and 94S are prerequisites for CDDS 136.
Communicative Disorders Minor
A Minor in Communicative Disorders is designed to provide students in
psychology, education, and the health professions with an appreciation and
understanding of the problems and procedures related to people who have
speech, language, and hearing disorders.
Select one of the following:
Speech Pathology/Audiology
CDDS 80, 91,
95, 101,
102, 109
(18 units)
Deaf Studies
CDDS 80, 91,
92, 93,
139, 141
(18 units)
Note: With permission of the department chair, substitutions can be
made. The Communicative Disorders Minor also requires a 2.0 GPA and
6 upper-division units in residence.
Graduate Program
The master's degree is considered essential for the professional training
needed for effective practice in deaf education or speech-language pathology.
The master's degree generally involves about two years of full-time study.
Admission Requirements. The graduate program is open to students
with communicative disorders or related bachelor's degrees who have demonstrated
the ability to excel at an advanced level as well as indicated great potential
for success in academic work and clinical work. In order to be considered
for admission to the graduate program, the applicant needs to submit the
following: (1) a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 units of any coursework
and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in CDDS coursework; (2) three letters of recommendation;
(3) a letter of intent; and (4) Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
Consideration for admission may include but will not be limited to the
following: (1) students with outstanding clinical potential, (2) deaf and
hard of hearing students, (3) students with disabilities, and (4) students
with multicultural or bilingual experience.
Applicants who have specific deficiencies or need coursework may be accepted
with conditionally classified status. Students must apply to the department
for fully classified graduate standing as soon as any conditions of acceptance
have been met. No more than 10 units of graduate work taken under conditional
classification can be used to meet the requirements of the master's degree.
Admission Procedures. Applications for the graduate program in communicative
disorders are accepted until October 1 for the spring semester and February
1 for the fall semester. Applications received after these dates are considered
the following semester. Application is a two-step process that involves
submitting the following:
1. To the University
- An Application of Admission and the Supplemental Application for Graduate Admission (forms A and B in the CSU application booklet)
- Official transcripts from all universities and colleges other than California State University, Fresno
- Official GRE scores
2. To the Department
- Departmental application
- Official transcripts from all universities attended (California State University, Fresno students may supply the unofficial transcripts issued by Admissions and Records.)
- Official GRE scores.
- Three letters of recommendation (These letters should be written by instructors or other persons familiar with communicative disorders.)
- Letter of Intent
The departmental application and letter of recommendation forms are available
from the department. Please be aware that students cannot be accepted into
the graduate program until all materials are received by the university
and the department. Students are encouraged to take their GRE early during
their senior year to avoid delays in acceptance for graduate work.
Advancement to Candidacy. Each student in a master's degree program
must file for advancement to candidacy. See Admissions
and Master's Degree Programs, Division of Graduate Studies.
Graduate-Level Writing Competence. California State University, Fresno
requires that students have graduate-level writing abilities before being
advanced to candidacy for the master's degree. Students can demonstrate
these abilities by passing the writing component of CDDS
200 and obtaining written clearance from the instructor. If GWR clearance
is denied, students may appeal to the course instructor. Please see the
CDDS Graduate Handbook for more information.
Statistics. Any 3-unit, one semester statistics course (lower division,
upper division, or graduate level) is required to complete the Master of
Arts in Communicative Disorders. Students are encouraged to take the course
during their senior year. Exceptions may be made with the consent of their
faculty adviser.
Grade Requirements. To be eligible to receive the master's degree,
a student must have maintained a B average with no more than
two C grades on the approved Program of Study. Once a student has received
three Cs at any point in the graduate program, he or she will
automatically be disqualified from the graduate program.
Master of Arts Degree Requirements
Communicative Disorders Major
Deaf Education Option
CDDS 200, 201,
202, 255,
262, 263,
264, either 3 units in electives*
and CDDS 268 or 9 units in electives* (30 units)
Culminating Experience (6 units)
Thesis or project (6 units)
Comprehensive Examination (6 units)
CI 225 and LEE
173 or LEE 177
Total (36 units)
Speech-Language Pathology Option
CDDS 200, 202,
204, 207,
213, 214,
215, 218,
220, 221
(30 units)
Culminating Experience (6 units)
Thesis or project (6 units)
Comprehensive Examination (6 units)
CDDS 216, 292
Total (36 units)
__________
* Approved electives are as follows: CDDS 290; CI
230; LEE 172, 214;
LING 244; SPED
179, 219, 233,
235, 236,
237, 240.
Other coursework is developed with the adviser to reflect such factors
as students' desires regarding thesis or project, individual needs and desires
for training, meeting certain state or national requirements, etc.
Student Teaching and Internship. Students are required to take their
final student teaching and internship (e.g. CDDS 257, 258, 267, 268) during
the last two semesters of their approved Program of Study and within the
last 12 units of graduate coursework. Earlier final student teaching and
internships are not permitted in the Communicative Disorders and Deaf Studies
Department.
Clinical Training. All students are involved in supervised clinical
practicum experience during their graduate training. At least 400 clinical
hours are required prior to receiving the M.A. A minimum of 300 of these
hours must be at the graduate level. These hours are gained at the University
Speech and Hearing Clinic and in at least two other settings (internship,
student teaching, residency program, etc.)
Culminating Experience. A culminating experience is required of all
California State University, Fresno students earning master's degrees. This
requirement is accomplished by completing a thesis, project, or comprehensive
written exam. Only a limited number of students may be permitted to undertake
a thesis or project, depending on the availability of faculty or committee
members. Selection of students for a thesis or project is determined by
their consistent demonstration of academic superiority in coursework and
evidence of outstanding writing skills and research papers. Up to 6 units
of credit can be earned for a thesis or project. These units may be applied
toward the unit requirements of the degree. (See Criteria
for Thesis and Project.) Students considering a thesis or project need
to consult the faculty very early in their graduate program, so as to assure
completion of the assignment prior to graduation. Selecting a thesis or
project option is recommended for students who may at some point consider
working toward a doctoral degree. Students who do not participate in a thesis
or project must complete a comprehensive written examination. For this examination,
students write detailed responses to questions about specific topics within
the field. Further information about these options is available from an
adviser.
Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology.
Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology. Completion
of the master's degree fulfills all the academic and clinical practicum
requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Speech
Pathology. A Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) of paid, professional supervised
experience is required along with passing the PRAXIS Exam in Speech-Language
Pathology before the certificate is granted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association. A Certificate of Clinical Competence is required for employment
in nearly all work settings except the public schools. All students are
encouraged to acquire national certification regardless of the work setting
they may choose.
California License as a Speech Pathologist. The master's degree
fulfills all academic and clinical practicum requirements for the State
License. A year of paid Required Professional Experience (RPE) is necessary
along with passing the PRAXIS Exam in Speech-Language Pathology before the
license is issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs. The license is
required for employment in almost all settings except the public schools.
The CFY and RPE can be completed concurrently when graduates accept their
first professional position.
Certification by Council on Education of the Deaf. For students specializing
in deaf education, completion of the master's degree fulfills all the academic
and clinical practicum requirements for Provisional Certification by the
Council on Education of the Deaf, the national organization responsible
for certifying teachers of the deaf. Professional level certification is
available following three years of successful teaching under the supervision
of a professionally certified educator of deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
All students are encouraged to acquire national certification.
Credentials
Two major school credentials for employment are available through the Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Studies. Students majoring in speech-language pathology complete their Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential before they work as speech-language pathologists with individuals and/or small groups in one or several schools. Speech-language pathology students accepted into the graduate program in the fall of 1994 or thereafter must complete the master's degree before they are issued the Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential.
Students in speech-language pathology must be approved for admission into the graduate program before the Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential is issued. Deaf education students may pursue the Preliminary Level I and Professional Level II Education Specialist Credential: Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing with or without pursuing the M.A. They are trained to teach deaf and hard-of-hearing classes in early childhood, elementary, and secondary settings, as certified by CED. Students pursuing these credentials must meet all admission requirements for the graduate program.
Individuals interested in teaching children and youth who are deaf or
hard of hearing must obtain the Preliminary Level I Education Specialist:
Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) Credential and within five years receive
the Professional Level II Education Specialist: Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Credential. For more detailed information, contact the Department of Communicative
Disorders and Deaf Studies office.
Students are not eligible to take any Communicative Disorders and Deaf Studies
(CDDS) 200-level coursework without departmental acceptance into the M.A.
or credential program. CDDS 200-level coursework taken by deaf education
students for a credential will not be included on a master's degree program
of study unless the student has been admitted into the M.A. program. Students
cleared as credential candidates by the department and the Kremen School
of Education and Human Development are not automatically accepted into the
department's graduate program.
Information regarding the two credentials is available from departmental
credential advisers and the Kremen School of Education and Human Development.
Students must see their advisers in regard to the upcoming changes in the
credential programs.
Preliminary Level I Education Specialist Credential: Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Undergraduate courses: CDDS 80, 93, 94S, 95, 106, 114, 121, 128, and 131 (concurrently), 138, 139, 141, 162, 163, 164 (43 units)
Graduate courses: CDDS 202, 255, 262, 263, 264 (15 units)
Graduate clinical courses: CDDS 260 (2 units); CDDS 258 (6 units) and CDDS 268 (6 units) or CDDS 258 (12 units) (14 units)
State credentialing professional education courses:
Phase I (11 units) CI 171; LEE 172, 173;
EHD 174
Phase II (11 units) CI 175, 176; LEE
177; EHD 178 (22 units)
Total (94 units)
Professional Level II Education Specialist: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Credential
After candidates complete their Preliminary Level I Credential program, they can be employed in a special education position requiring the Level I Education Specialist: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Credential authorization. Additional coursework and a minimum of two years of employment are required for the Professional Level II Credential.
The Level II Credential is required as a condition for continuous employment in special education in the state of California and must be obtained no later than five years after obtaining the Preliminary Level I Credential.
Information regarding admission to the Professional Level II Education Specialist: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Credential can be obtained from the Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Studies office, 278.2423, or by visiting the department's Web site at www.fresnostate.edu/csd.
Level II Program
Prerequisite: Preliminary Level I Education Specialist: Deaf and Hard
of Hearing Credential
Core: CDDS 278 and 279
(6 units)
Generic Core: CI 100; PH 120 (6
units)
Total (12 units)
Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential
Generic courses: CDDS 80, 91, 95,
101, 102,
103, 105;
107 and 110
(concurrently), 109, 114, 115,
116; 128
and 131 (concurrently), 171, 172;
PSYCH 101 (50 units)
Advanced Specialization in Language, Speech, and Hearing: CDDS
200, 202, 204,
207, 210,
213, 214,
216, 220
(30 units)
Clinical core: CDDS 257 (4-9
units), 209 (1 unit), 130 or 230
(10-15 units), 150 or 250 (5 units) (20-30 units)
Total (100-110 units)
Communicative Disorders and Deaf Studies Courses
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