Admission Requirements

Admission requirements

Completed application must be received by CSDCAS and noted as complete by January 15 to be considered for the fall semester.  The number of students who can enter the program each year is limited.  Admission to the program is competitive.

Full admission to the program shall be based on the following components and application requirements/deadlines: 

CSDCAS application service.  Students will submit applications through a site called CSDCAS.  Instructions for the application process are available on the CSDCAS site.

Essential functions

The Essential Functions of Audiologists, Speech-Language Pathologists and Educators of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing establish the expectations and requisite abilities considered necessary for professionals in the field of audiology, speech-language pathology and education of the deaf and hard of hearing. Students in the MSU Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders are to achieve the level of competency required for graduation and practice. It is recognized that degrees of ability vary widely among individuals. Admission candidates who feel they may not be able to acquire the essential functions set forth are encouraged to contact the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Any admission candidate who may require academic accommodations to fulfill the essential functions due to a disability is encouraged to contact the Disability Resource Center at 417-836-4192 (voice) or 417-836-6792 (TTY). The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Missouri State University seeks to ensure that qualified persons with disabilities are not denied admission or subject to discrimination in admissions. The Department is committed to enabling students by any reasonable means or accommodations to complete their course of study.

The following Essential Functions are consistent with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or Council on the Education of the Deaf clinical skill performance guidelines and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidelines expected of the first year speech-language therapists in public schools. All essential functions are introduced and coached within CSD coursework and practicum.

Physical Abilities:

• Participate in professional responsibilities/activities for up to four-hour blocks of time with one or two breaks.
• Be self-sufficient when moving to, from and within the work setting.
• Complete diagnostic or instructional evaluation/assessment.
• Effectively implement necessary treatment plan/lesson plan. including use of materials/instrumentation and data collection.
• Provide a safe environment for others in responding quickly to emergency situations including fire, medical and environmental (e.g. weather related) emergencies and in applying universal precautions (standardized approach to infection control).
• Provide appropriate model of language and speech according to the needs of individual clients.
• Visually and auditorally monitor patient responses and materials.
• Make accurate judgments about speech and/or acoustic signals.

Behavioral and Social Attributes:

• Maintain composure and emotional objectivity in demanding situations.
• Communicate effectively and appropriately with people in person, by phone, and in written form by considering the communication needs and cultural values of the listener.
• Understand and respect supervisory authority.
• Maintain appropriate professional behavior, including punctuality, regular attendance and prompt completion of responsibilities.
• Comply with administrative, legal and regulatory policies in multiple clinical and educational settings.
• Demonstrate compassion, integrity and motivation in delivering professional services.
• Collaborate with peers and other professionals.

Intellectual Abilities:

• Solve clinical problems through critical analysis.
• Seek relevant case information, synthesize, and apply concepts and information from various sources and disciplines.
• Write discipline-specific papers and clinical reports in standard edited English at an appropriate level.
• Analyze, synthesize, interpret and retain ideas and concepts in academic and diagnostic/treatment/classroom settings.
• Maintain attention and concentration for sufficient time to complete clinical activities for up to eight hour blocks of time.

The Department is committed to enabling students by any reasonable means or accommodations to complete the course of study leading to the Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders or an AuD degree.