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CSD Bachelor's Program
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) provides a program that leads to a Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a major in Communication Disorders. This program is designed to introduce students to the field of Speech-Language Pathology and to allow them to develop knowledge specific to intervention for individuals with communication disorders. The B.S. E.d. degree is a pre-professional degree. The
The department of CSD helps students to develop fundamental knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for working with people of all ages having a wide range of speech, language, and hearing problems. The four-year curriculum includes course work, observation, writing assignments, experiences, and normal and disordered aspects of speech, language, and hearing. The first two years of the curriculum emphasize general education while the last two years emphasize specialized course work in CSD, observation, writing assignments, experiences, and elective course work. With appropriate scheduling, students can obtain a minor in a related area.
The undergraduate curriculum has been specifically designed to prepare students for graduate study. This occurs because Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists must have a Master's Degree, pass a national test, and complete a Clinical Fellowship experience to be certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) or to obtain a state license to practice speech-language pathology or audiology. As such, students completing the requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in Communication Disorders are not eligible for state nor national certification.
CSD Master's Program
The Valdosta State University College of Education, through its Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, is pleased to offer the Master's of Education Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. This program builds upon knowledge acquired during undergraduate study. The program goals for the undergraduate program are to provide the undergraduate student an education in normal and disordered aspects of communication and to provide undergraduates with pre-professional training to prepare them to enter graduate programs in communicative disorders. Students further refine skills necessary for developing effective interventions to meet unique client requirements in the graduate program.
The Master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders is an accredited program in the area of speech-langauge pathology and is an approved program of the Professional Standards Commission of the state of Georgia. Students earning the master's degree are eligible for a service certificate (S-5) and the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing (ASHA) Association. which allows them to work in the public schools of Georgia, as well as hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation agencies and private practices. The goals of the graduate program are a) to prepare students to provide prevention, evaluation and intervention services for clients from birth to adult with speech, language, voice resonance, swallowing or hearing disorders; b) to conduct basic research to explain the mechanisms underlying normal and disordered speech, language, and hearing; c) to conduct applied research that will help speech-language pathologists and audiologists to remediate communicative disorders; d) to provide graduate students with the education to become certified speech- language pathologists, teachers, and/or research scientists; e) to serve the people of the local and larger communities by providing clinical services and information through the Speech-Language- and Hearing Clinics; f) to be a preeminent resource for the dissemination of information and clinical training strategies to professionals statewide and nationally through presentations at meetings and publications.
Program Outcomes:
Graduates of the VSU Communication Sciences and Disorders Program will demonstrate the ability to plan effective interventions by:
a) developing setting-appropriate intervention plans;
b) linking objectives to assessment data
c) involving the significant other in the therapy plan where appropriate;
d) choosing materials that are appropriate for the client;
e) utilizing data and supervisory feedback to make therapy plan modifications;
f) applying theory and research to demonstrate evidence-based practices
The Communication Sciences and Disorders program provides numerous opportunities for students to apply and practice knowledge and skills obtained in the classroom to individuals with a variety of communication disorders. Students begin these experiences in the on-campus speech and hearing clinic during their first semester of graduate study under the close supervision of clinical faculty.
ACCREDITATION:
The Communication Sciences and Disorders Program is accredited in the area of speech-language pathology by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA). National accreditation ensures that the program meets specified standards in the areas of administrative structure and governance, faculty and instructional staff, curriculum, students, assessment, and program resources. Students graduating from an accredited program are eligible for state and national certification.
GRADUATION /PROGRAM COMPLETION RATE
Each year approximately 40 to 65 students enter the master's degree program in Communication Sciences and Disorders. The CSD Program has a 97% completion rate in five semesters. Students who did not complete the program in five semesters completed the program in six semesters.
PRAXIS II EXAMINATION RESULTS
The PRAXIS II Exam in Speech-Language Pathology is required for certification by the Council for Clinical Certification (CFCC) of ASHA, for certification by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, and for the state license from the Georgia Board of Examiners in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. For several years Valdosta State University graduates have had a 96% pass rate on the first try (passing score=600). Other students have passed on the second attempt.
| Period | # of students taking the Exam | Pass Rate on the First Attempt |
| Prior Year | 59 |
97% |
| 2 years prior | 69 |
97% |
| 3 years prior | 46 |
98% |
| 3 year average | 58 |
97% |
EMPLOYMENT RATE
All students (100%) who have completed the master's degree program in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Valdosta State University were able to gain employment directly after graduation or go on for an advanced degree. Valdosta State University graduates find employment in diverse settings including public and private schools, hospital facilities, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, clinics, and private practices.
THE SPEECH & HEARING CLINIC
The Speech and Hearing Clinic is a community clinic providing services to approximately 250 children and adults with speech, language and hearing disorders on a weekly basis. Additionally, approximately 1000 individuals are screened each year for speech, language and hearing disorders. There are eight practicum sites within a few minutes drive of the university in which students participate as a part of the on-campus practicum. These include public and private schools, day care centers, developmental centers, sheltered workshops and early intervention centers.
There are two off-campus experiences that occur during the final two semesters of graduate study. The first is a full-time placement in a public school where students gain experience with the unique requirements of that setting. The second is a full-time placement in a hospital, clinic or rehabilitation agency where students participate in the diagnosis and therapy associated with the communication disorders of adults.