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students in CSD lab, one in program gold sweatshirt

Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Earn your master's degree in communication sciences and disorders at UW-Eau Claire. Become prepared for a successful career with our accredited program.

Available as
Graduate Degree
Description

Take Your Next Step in Becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist

Here, you’ll learn from accomplished professors, who have real-world experience and are enthusiastic to share their knowledge with you. Through coursework and professional experience, you'll become an expert in speech, hearing, and language development and behavior. You'll also learn how to evaluate and diagnose various communication disorders.  

A critical component of the program is providing students with clinical experience. Offered through our Center for Communication Disorders and more than 90 off-campus affiliated sites, this opportunity allows you to work with real clients ranging in age and type of communication disorder.

Our renowned graduate program offers two options and is designed to work with you no matter where you are in your journey. The on-campus residency program holds classes at UWEC, providing face-to-face instruction, and can be completed in two years. Or, if you’re looking to take courses part time, our online program is set up so you can graduate in three years.  Our online graduate program requires a short residency each summer while the rest of your clinic work can be done in your home community. If you have decided to pursue a career as a speech-language pathologist and have previously completed your bachelor's degree in another area, we also offer post-baccalaureate courses.

No matter your path, you'll feel motivated and supported on your journey to completing your degree and becoming a speech-language pathologist.

Program Options

Degree Types

Program Details

Degree Types
Master of Science (MS)
Degree Level graduate
Available asGraduate Degree
Program Length Residential: 2 years; Online: 3 years
Campus
Eau Claire
Offered
On Campus
Online
Requires a minor No
Authored on

Accreditation Information

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology residential and distance education at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700, and is approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Wisconsin is a SARA state (State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement) and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is a SARA-approved institution.

Licensure Information

The United States Department of Education requires institutions to disclose information for programs leading to professional certification or licensure about whether each program meets state educational requirements for initial licensure or certification.  

NC-SARA (National Council for Authorization Reciprocity Agreements) has a similar policy for online programs. 

The requirements of this program meet licensure in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

The requirements of this program do not meet licensure in the following states: None

It has not been determined whether the requirements of this program meet licensure in the following states: None

Hallmarks
CSD poster at CERCA
Professional Experience

Gain valuable clinical training in our highly equipped Center for Communication Disorders. This state-of-the-art facility includes 16 therapy rooms with direct observation facilities, an audiology suite, a speech science and voice lab, and an assistive technology lab. Here, you'll work directly with clients from the Chippewa Valley community, boosting your confidence and building skills that are sought after in the industry.

Arianna Barret, CSD masters grad
Connection to Local Employers

An annual Nursing and Health Care Professional Fair will further connect you to a variety of employers, including hospitals, clinics, community agencies and schools. This fair is specifically for those looking to enter the healthcare field. The event is an excellent opportunity to make connections and submit your resume for current and future job openings.

Facts List

Just
the
facts

100% Online
This program can be completed entirely online.
Flex Content

Your Classmates at a Glance

Residential Program

  • Number of completed applications received in 2023: 125
  • Average CSD GPA of admitted cohort in 2023: 3.9

Online Program

  • Number of completed applications in 2023: 161
  • Average CSD GPA of admitted cohort in 2023: 3.89
  • Percentage of admitted cohort in 2023 with a non-CSD undergrad degree: 20%
Outcomes Image
2023 master's grads in CSD
What can I do

Where can the master of science in communication sciences and disorders program lead me after graduation?

By the end of the communication sciences and disorders graduate program, you will meet requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology; licensure in speech-language pathology; and the Department of Public Instruction license in speech and language pathology. These qualifications will allow you to work as a speech-language pathologist for a variety of employers.

Recent Graduates

Speech-Language Pathologist
Chippewa Falls School District
Wisconsin

Speech Therapist
Hallmark Rehabilitation
California

Speech-Language Pathologist
St. Paul Public Schools
Minnesota

Associate Lecturer
UW-Eau Claire
Wisconsin

Speech-Language Pathologist
HCR ManorCare
Connecticut

Speech-Language Pathologist
Mesquite ISD
Texas

Courses information
SampleCourses

Our accredited graduate program provides a comprehensive curriculum designed to give you the knowledge and skills necessary to work as a speech-language pathologist. Courses and externships will prepare you to work with clients of a variety of ages and communication disorders. Whether you are a part of the residential or online program, you will receive the same high-quality education taught by the same faculty.

Here are a few courses in Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders at UW-Eau Claire.

CSD 648

Aphasia and Related Disorders

Differential diagnosis and treatment of the aphasias and related language disorders.

CSD 706

Language Assessment

Assessment of language disorders: differences and delay addressed through representative case studies, contributing and perpetuating factors, test selection, test biases, hypothesis formulation, data interpretation, legal guidelines, and information dissemination explored.

CSD 725

Counseling in Communication Disorders

Knowledge, skills, and attitudes important for speech-language pathologists in counseling individuals with communication disorders and their families.

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Meet the Faculty

What's Next

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