Mission Statement

The graduate programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders are dedicated to the advancement of science and art associated with the study of all aspects of human communication and feeding/swallowing, and the prevention and treatment of its disorders across the lifespan. The programs offer advanced education and training in the processes of individual human communication (speech, hearing, language, and literacy), disorders of human communication, and swallowing and assessment and intervention for such disorders. Graduates are prepared for positions in a variety of professional settings: educational settings, community speech and language centers, rehabilitation centers, hospital clinics, private practices, state departments of education, health departments, federal agencies, and colleges and universities.

The Master of Science (MS-CSDR-IN, MS-CSDR-DU) program in Communication Sciences and Disorders aims to facilitate student development of the academic and clinical knowledge, skills and ethical awareness necessary to practice speech language pathology in increasingly diverse and multicultural societies in local and worldwide communities. Our mission is to educate a scholarly practitioner who is broadly trained across the scope of practice and who is grounded in the research base of our discipline and profession.

This degree program leads to national certification in speech language pathology through the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) and to New York State licensure as a Speech Language Pathologist. Additionally, students can receive the New York State Education Department Teacher of Speech and Language Disabilities certificate (TSSLD).

The Bilingual/Multicultural Program focus (MS-CSDR-DU) leads to advanced expertise in working with bilingual/multilingual children and adolescents with communication disorders. The bilingual/multicultural program focus satisfies the course work and field placement requirements for the bilingual extension to the New York State Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD) certificate.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PHD-CSDR) is designed for individuals interested in research and university teaching in areas related to Speech and Language Pathology. The program emphasizes research in basic and clinical-translational research. Programs are individually designed and take into account the student’s previous academic work, professional experience, and training goals.

Instruction in the areas of speech and language pathology and audiology includes course work (lectures, seminars, colloquia) and practical training in the Edward D. Mysak Clinic for Communication Disorders. Opportunities for clinical and research experiences also exist in the Communication, Technology, and Language Diversity Lab; Creative and Inclusive Rehabilitation for Communicating (CIRC) with Aphasia Lab; Speech Production and Perception Lab; Upper Airway Dysfunction Lab; and Developing Language and Literacy Lab.