2025-2026 Graduate Catalog Communication Sciences and Disorders

Illinois State University’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders completes criminal background checks for all candidates for the Master’s Program in Speech-Language Pathology and the Doctoral Program in Audiology and reserves the right to deny admission based on application materials, previous academic records, and records of past conduct, including but not limited to the results of a criminal background check or registration of a sex offense.

Any offers of admission are contingent upon completing and passing a national background check. The department may refuse or revoke admission for the following: misrepresentation of self, criminal behavior, results of the national background check, and/or behavior that interferes with performing professional duties.

If admitted to a CSD graduate program, any applicant or student with a criminal background may not be eligible for some clinical placements. In addition, the applicant or student may not be eligible for licensure after completing the requirements for the advanced degree. Many clinical sites require criminal background checks for accepting a student clinician in their setting. It is the student’s responsibility to inquire with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation or other professional licensure boards to determine their licensure eligibility.

Once admitted to a graduate program in CSD, students must report any new information or criminal convictions and adhere to the Professional Standards of the University and the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Students must meet the professional and ethical standards set forth by the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

In addition to the requirements of the Graduate School, the degree students must meet all the academic requirements and clinical practicum requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence of the American Speech-LanguageHearing Association. Copies of requirements for both Illinois and national certification  can be found online. The graduate programs are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation.

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 in major courses and overall to retain their degree status and to be eligible for department clinicals. Enrollment by graduate students in the department's clinicals requires degree status. In all instances, permission of the Clinic Director is needed for practicum enrollment, and enrollments may be restricted. External graduate clinicals may require special coursework and will require a student to provide transportation to external settings arranged by the department.

A candidate for the master's degree must  complete two external placements in order to qualify for the degree. A degree student in the Doctor of Audiology program must spend one year in residency in order to qualify for the degree. A year in residence is interpreted as three consecutive semesters  of enrollment in CSD 598.90 for one credit hour each semester. 

Students must meet all the academic and clinical practicum requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Speech Language Pathology from the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA).

Students will select one of three options at the end of the spring semester (third term on campus).

Option I—Comprehensive Exam

• 40 academic hours: CSD 402, CSD 403, CSD 404, CSD 406, CSD 409, CSD 410, CSD 412, CSD 413, CSD 414, CSD 418, CSD 420, CSD 422, CSD 432, CSD 451, and CSD 460 
• 18 clinical hours: CSD 408A30, CSD 408A40, CSD 408A50, CSD 408A60, and CSD 408A70 
• Pass the comprehensive exam administered by the Department of Communication Science and Disorders

Option II—Independent Study

• 40 academic hours: CSD 400, CSD 402, CSD 403, CSD 404, CSD 406, CSD 409, CSD 410, CSD 412, CSD 413, CSD 414, CSD 418, CSD 420, CSD 422, CSD 432, CSD 451, and CSD 460 
• 18 clinical hours: CSD 408A30, CSD 408A40, CSD 408A50, CSD 408A60, and CSD 408A70
• 2 independent study hours of CSD 400 under the direction of a CSD faculty member

Option III—Thesis

• 40 academic hours: CSD 402, CSD 403, CSD 404, CSD 406, CSD 409, CSD 410, CSD 412, CSD 413, CSD 414, CSD 418, CSD 420, CSD 422, CSD 432, CSD 451, and CSD 460
• 18 clinical hours: CSD 408A30, CSD 408A40, CSD 408A50, CSD 408A60, and CSD 408A70
• 6 thesis hours: CSD 499 under the direction of a CSD faculty member

This four-year post-baccalaureate professional degree is designed to produce audiologists who are competent to perform a wide array of diagnostic, remedial, and other services associated with the practice of audiology. Students must meet all the academic requirements and clinical practicum requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The program requires a range  of 87-93  credit hours  depending on whether students chose to complete comprehensive exams or a 6 hour capstone . Students are expected to be in residence for at least one academic year.

Degree requirements include: 

• 60 academic hours: CSD 401, CSD 509, CSD 510, CSD 511, CSD 520, CSD 521, CSD 522, CSD 523, CSD 524, CSD 526, CSD 530, CSD 531, CSD 532, CSD 533, CSD 536, CSD 538, CSD 540, CSD 541, CSD 542, CSD 551. 
• 24 clinical hours: CSD 508A10, CSD 508A20, CSD 508A25, CSD 508A30, CSD 508A40. 
• 6 capstone hours (over three semesters): CSD 500 or successful completion of comprehensive exams.
• 3 clinical residency hours: CSD 598.

A multidisciplinary program designed to offer a limited number of academically and professionally oriented graduate experiences in aging. The graduate certificate is located within the Department of Sociology and Anthropology in cooperation with the Departments of Family and Consumer Sciences, Health Sciences, Psychology, and Communication Sciences and Disorders. For admission requirements and other information, please see the Department of Sociology and Anthropology section in this catalog.