The Speech Pathology and Audiology Program in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders offers graduate study leading to the Master of Science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology. The candidate must observe the general requirements for the Master of Science Degree stated in the University Catalog as well as specific requirements stated here. Since it is the objective of this program to prepare each student academically and clinically for clinical certification by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association, State credential as a public school speech-language and hearing specialist, and State licensure, each student's program must be individually planned to reflect prior undergraduate, graduate, and professional experience. Consequently, it is imperative that each student consult an advisor in the planning of a tentative program during the first quarter of residence. (Please note: The Department does not require the GRE or other admissions tests for application to the graduate program)

GRADUATE ADMISSION OPTIONS:

A. CLASSIFIED GRADUATE STUDENT: This admission status gives you full graduate student standing and privileges. To be admitted in this status you must have completed an undergraduate degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology or Communicative Disorders, or you must have completed the equivalent course work for such a degree. Furthermore, the course work must be the equivalent in scope and content to the required and elective courses in our own B.S. degree program. Undergraduate programs differ somewhat, so that in most cases, you will probably need to complete a few of our upper division courses as part of your graduate program. If that is the case, you will be admitted in the following status.

B. CONDITIONALLY CLASSIFIED - CATEGORY II: This admission status gives you full graduate student standing and privileges. To be admitted in this status you must have completed an undergraduate degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology or Communicative Disorders, or you must have completed the equivalent course work for such a degree. However, you may need to complete a limited number of upper division courses as part of your graduate program. There is no increase in time required to complete the M.S. degree.

C. CONDITIONALLY CLASSIFIED - CATEGORY I: This admission status gives you full graduate student standing and privileges. This category is reserved for people who have undergraduate or graduate degrees in a field other than Speech Pathology and Audiology or Communicative Disorders. Generally such people need to complete substantial prerequisite course work before graduate courses may be taken. Exactly how much varies based on your individual experience. We will give you as much credit for prior work as possible. There are advantages and disadvantages to this admission status. Compare it with Option D.

ADVANTAGES:

• Full Graduate Standing
• Guaranteed Place in Program
• No Reapplication Necessary

DISADVANTAGES:

• Minimum G.P.A. Requirements for Graduate Students. You must maintain at least a 3.00 after you are admitted.
• No B.S. Degree is Earned

D. Post baccalaureate Seeking an Additional B. S. Degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology. This is an alternative admission status for those persons who also qualify for admission under Option C.

ADVANTAGES:

• B.S. Degree may be Earned if Desired
• Undergraduate G.P.A. Requirements Apply (2.00)

DISADVANTAGES:

• Place in Graduate Program not Guaranteed
• Must Reapply for Graduate Standing
• Must comply with University general education requirements

E. UNCLASSIFIED POST BACCALAUREATE (OR POST-MASTERS) This category permits students who are admitted to the University, but not to the Department, to complete qualifying course work. It may also be used by the following: Persons not yet ready to make a commitment to a degree program. Professionals in Speech Pathology and Audiology or related fields who wish to take courses for professional and personal growth.

ADMISSION TO CLASSIFIED STANDING: For admission to CLASSIFIED STANDING in the program leading to the Master of Science Degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology, the student must (1) make application to pursue a specific program of study; (2) possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Speech Pathology and Audiology or the equivalent course work in Speech Pathology and Audiology with another degree. (Preparatory course work completed at other institutions must correspond in scope and content with required and elective courses offered on this campus); (3) possess an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better covering the last 90 quarter hours of course work; (4) present evidence of having satisfactorily completed a minimum of 60 clock hours of supervised clinical practicum in speech, language, and hearing; (5) submit a statement of purpose which, when reviewed by the Department faculty as a whole, is considered to demonstrate the level of content, clarity, and style necessary to participate in graduate education at California State University, East Bay; (6) submit three letters of recommendation from appropriate persons who can and do attest to the candidate's high potential for graduate study.

CONDITIONALLY CLASSIFIED STANDING: A student who holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, but who does not meet other requirements named in (2), (3), and (4) above may, on recommendation of the graduate faculty in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders, be admitted with CONDITIONALLY CLASSIFIED STANDING. The status remains conditional until the student has demonstrated capability in preparatory requirements and has received recommendation to Classified Standing by the Department Graduate Faculty Committee.

ADVANCEMENT TO CANDIDACY: To advance to the status of CANDIDATE for the M.S. degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders, the Student must:

1. be a classified graduate student in good standing; 2. complete at least 12 units in graduate work in Communicative Sciences and Disorders with a grade point average of at least 3.0; 3. complete a minimum of 2 units of SPPA 6056 and/or SPPA 6156 with a grade of "B" or better; 4. file with his or her advisor an approved study plan for completion of the degree program; 5. satisfactorily defend his or her thesis proposal, if a thesis option is selected; and 6. show evidence of progress and ability to complete the program.