Masters of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Admissions Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology, communicative disorders, or equivalent coursework (see Master of Science–Transitional Program)

• Completion of a post-baccalaureate program (documentation required)

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, with at least a 3.3 GPA in the last 96 quarter or 64 semester unit

• Personal statement (submitted online)

• Three letters of recommendation, preferably academic

• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended

• Interview including writing sample and written communication assessment (by invitation)

• GRE and Basic Skills exams (e.g., CBEST) are not required

Students admitted to the MS program must complete a minimum of one undergraduate course in each of the following areas within one year of graduation: biological sciences (e.g., biology or human anatomy), physical sciences (e.g., physics or chemistry), statistics and/or research methods, and the social/behavioral sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology, or educational psychology).

*These ASHA-required courses must be completed prior to the completion of the Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY).

Program Resource Links

• University Catalog
• Cost of Attendance

Application Process

The application opens on October 1 and must be completed by January 1 for admission to the following fall quarter. The admissions committee reviews applications in early January and sends interview invitations in late January. Interviews and written communication assessments are conducted in February, with admission decisions typically released 3 to 4 weeks later, usually in early March.

Transcript Submission Address

Official transcripts must be sent directly to:
Loma Linda University
Admissions Processing
11139 Anderson Street
Loma Linda, CA 92350

Important Dates

October 1 — Application opens

January 1 — Application deadline (all materials must be submitted)

Early January — Admissions committee begins reviewing applications

Late January — Interview invitations sent

February — Interviews and written communication assessments conducted

Early March — Admission decisions released

April 15 — Deadline to submit $200 confirmation deposit

Early June — Teams group access for accepted students

First week of September — Course registration opens

Last Monday in September — Program begins

After Acceptance

Accepted students receive notification by mail and email, which includes a link to submit a $200 confirmation deposit online. This deposit must be paid by April 15 to secure enrollment. After acceptance, there is a 4- to 5-month waiting period before the program begins on the last Monday in September.

In early June, accepted students are added to a Teams group for updates and networking. In August, registration instructions are sent, and course registration opens during the first week of September. Students must not schedule vacations during September, as required pre-session events occur before the start of the program. Exact dates for these events are provided by the Director of Clinical Education.

Also required is successful completion of:

• Research Symposium Presentation
• Comprehensive Written Capstone
• Oral Capstone Presentation

Clinical Practicum

Graduate students are eligible for clinical practicum if they:

• Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA with no grade below C

• Provide documentation of current CPR certification

• Provide the CA CTC Certificate of Clearance

The Director of Clinical Education assigns students to clinical sites each quarter. First-year students are placed in at least one clinic per quarter, including summer, with schedules ranging from ½ day to 3½ days per week plus preparation and supervision.

Students rotate through specialty clinics such as autism, phonology, voice, early intervention, stuttering, and school-age speech sound disorders.

After successful completion of first-year clinics, students advance to CMSD 597 Fieldwork II and CMSD 588 Educational Fieldwork II during the second year. Completion of Fieldwork II is required before assignment to the second experience.

Some students may need to complete one or both final quarters out of state. Advance notice is given for planning purposes.

Praxis Exam
Required for ASHA Certification, CA License, and CA School Credential. A passing score of 162 is needed. The exam can be taken during or after the program. Details: www.ets.org/praxis.

Progress Reviews & Remediation

• Student progress is reviewed quarterly with written feedback and annual advisor meetings.

• Graduates who do not pass the Praxis may retake courses/seminars and join prep workshops at no cost.

• Retaking a course is offered at half tuition but may delay program completion.

• Students who fail clinical expectations must repeat the practicum and follow an individualized remediation plan.

Clinic Orientation

Clinic Orientation begins in mid-September, covering clinic procedures, program details, and preparation for speech-language and hearing screenings.

Clinic Bootcamp
Held over 3–4 days following program orientation, this training equips students with the skills needed for clinical success.

Speech-Language & Hearing Screenings
All new graduate students participate in multiple screening days before the fall quarter begins. Assignments and schedules are provided by the Director of Clinical Education.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLO's)

Students meet the following learning outcomes:

• Synthesize information regarding characteristics & etiologies of communication disorders and differences and swallowing disorders in children and adults.
• Integrate skills in assessment of human communication disorders and differences in swallowing disorders with a variety of clinical populations.
• Plan and implement an intervention program for a variety of clinical populations across the age span.
• Critically apply research design, statistical analyses, and interpretation of literature related to evidence-based practice and specific research topics.
• Incorporate cultural responsiveness to diversity (e.g., linguistic, neurological, economic, age, sexual, gender, ability, racial) within academic and/or professional environments.
• Implement counseling principles and practices related to the discipline of speech-language pathology across the lifespan.
• Identify, discuss, and apply service-learning principles (specifically cooperation, critical reflection, and discipline-specific application through engaged partnership with the community.
• Incorporate basic components of professional ethics in academic scenarios regarding treating, counseling, advocating for, and documenting care for clients.

On-time Program Completion Rates

Praxis Examination Pass Rates of Test-takers

The Essential Functions for Students refers to a guide of behavioral or cognitive functions that an individual must be able to perform, with or without accommodations, during their academic and clinical experiences. This list was developed based on recommendations by the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAPCSD). The skills listed below have been determined by Loma Linda University’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders to be skills that are necessary to demonstrate competencies that will lead to graduation and a successful entry into professional practice. While some of the Essential Functions listed may already be present, this program will introduce new skills and further develop current skills to prepare students for successful navigation as professionals.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES

• Participate in classroom or clinical activities for two to four-hour blocks of time, with one or two breaks.
• Move independently to, from, and in academic/clinical facilities with or without a personal assistance device such as a wheelchair or braces.
• Manipulate diagnostic and intervention materials and technology without violating the integrity of testing protocols and best therapeutic practices.
• Respond quickly and provide a safe environment for clients and others in emergency situations, including but not limited to fire, choking, client elopement, etc.
• Review and interpret instrumentation and monitor client responses.
• Execute movements required to document academic (e.g., note taking) and clinical (e.g., data collection during therapy, clinical report writing, note taking during client interviewing) information via computer or handwritten notes with acuity, accuracy, and efficiency.

COGNITIVE ABILITIES

• Possesses reading and writing skills sufficient to comprehend, retain, synthesize, infer, evaluate, and apply received information necessary to meet curricular and clinical demands.
• Independently analyze, synthesize, and interpret ideas and concepts in academic and clinical settings with or without reasonable accommodations that may apply to a professional environment.
• Maintain attention and concentration for sufficient time to complete academic/clinical activities, within stated deadlines.
• Adapt evaluation and intervention activities in response to a client’s abilities and cultural needs in clinical and academic tasks.
• Engage in self-analysis to identify strengths and areas for improvement and seek to develop a plan to address academic and clinical needs.
• Identify and professionally advocate for one’s own need for support and resources to fulfill clinical and academic tasks.

COMMUNICATION ABILITIES

• Possess oral, written, auditory, and non-verbal communication skills sufficient to meet academic and clinical competencies.
• Communicate proficiently in oral and written English language.
• Perceive and demonstrate non-verbal communication that is appropriate to culture and context.
• Modify communication style to meet the communication needs of clients, caregivers, and other persons served.
• Communicate professionally, intelligibly, and efficiently with patients, colleagues, other healthcare professionals, and community or professional groups.
• Convey information accurately with relevance and cultural sensitivity.

SENSORY/OBSERVATIONAL ABILITIES

• Visually and auditorily identify typical and atypical characteristics of communication and swallowing.
• Identify the need for alternative modalities of communication.
• Visualize and discriminate anatomic structures and imaging findings on people and photographs within academic and clinical settings.
• Discriminate text, numbers, tables, and graphs associated with diagnostic and treatment materials and instruments and research articles.
• Recognize shifts in the non-verbal communication of clients, caregivers, colleagues, other healthcare professionals, and community or professional groups.

PRE-PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR

• Align priorities to prevent work and other obligations from interfering with academic and/or clinical expectations and responsibilities.
• Manage commuting to classes and clinical sites to complete requirements and adhere to attendance requirements.
• Manage relocating for Fieldwork II assignments, as determined via collaboration with the Director of Clinical Education, to complete clinical practicum requirements of the program.
• Work effectively with people, in person, and on the telephone/video platforms.
• Critically think through decisions, weighing alternative options and generalizing without immediate supervision.
• Demonstrate healthy conflict management while valuing diverse communication styles.
• Maintain professional workplace behavior, including punctuality and regular attendance.

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL BEHAVIORAL

• Display mature empathetic and effective professional relationships by exhibiting compassion, integrity, and concern for others.
• Recognize and show respect for individuals with diverse abilities, ages, genders, race, religion, sexual orientation, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Conduct oneself in an ethical and legal manner that upholds the university policies, state regulations, ASHA Code of Ethics, and federal privacy practices.
• Maintain, or seek support for, general good physical and mental health and self-care to contribute to the health and safety of self and others in the academic and clinical setting.
• Adapt to changing and demanding environments, while maintaining professionalism and emotional health.
• Accept appropriate suggestions and constructive criticism and respond by modifying behaviors and communicating concerns.

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is committed to supporting students with disabilities through reasonable accommodations conducive to speech-language pathology and completing the master’s degree. Students who need accommodation(s) should contact the Dean’s Office for the School of Allied Health.

Graduate students are automatically enrolled in the California Credential Program (for work in the public schools). In order to do clinical work in the public schools, the Certificate of Clearance is needed. All new students must complete the Certificate of Clearance process prior to Clinic Orientation (typically the second week of September). To complete this process, go to: http://www.ctc.ca.gov/.

• Click on “Online Services for Educators.”
• On the Educator Page, click on “Submit Your Application for a New Type of Document – (Direct Web Application)”.
• Then click on “How to Submit Your Direct-Web Application”
• This will take you to detailed instructions regarding the Certificate of Clearance, completing the Live Scan and the online clearance process.
• It is not necessary to bring any form of verification that you have completed this process. The department Director of Clinical Education is able to verify your activity online.

        Note:  No student will be allowed to start clinic until the Certificate of Clearance has been awarded by CTC.

Background Check

As part of the registration process, the university requires all students to complete a current background check. You will receive notification directly from University Student Services. **Note: This is not the same as “Live Scan” or “Certificate of Clearance.”

Current TB Screening:

All students are required to have current TB screening. The Director of Clinical Education will provide you with instructions on how to get verification of your current TB screening to her. It is best that you have it done before you attend the pre-sessions.  Note that if you are having your TB test done through LLU, get a copy of the paperwork/results before you leave the facility where you are tested. Student Health Services does not send us a copy.

Note: No student will be allowed to start clinic until an electronic copy of the TB screening is on record. Additionally, students will not be able to register for winter quarter until the department has record of their TB screening.

CPR Certification

All students in this department are required to have current health care provider Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification (adult, child, infant). Certification through the American Heart Association is required in the department. This class may not be an online class.  Classes are available on campus at Life Support Education, University Arts Bldg., 24887 Taylor St., Suite 102, or phone at 909-558-4977. However, you may take them from any American Heart Association. 

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in speech-language pathology residential program at Loma Linda University 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.