Eastern Kentucky University | 859-622-1000 | admissions@eku.edu
EKU Logo
EKU Logo
Apply Now Get Info Search
Hero Image

Master of Arts in Communication Disorders

Department of Clinical Therapeutic Programs

College of Education & Applied Human Sciences

Master of Arts in Communication Disorders

Department of Clinical Therapeutic Programs

College of Education & Applied Human Sciences

On-Campus

Program

63 Credit Hours

to Graduate

Full-Time, In-State Tutition

$530 Per Credit Hour

Free Books

for All Students

Prepare to Enhance the Quality of Lives of Others

The Master of Arts in Communication Sciences & Disorders prepares professionals to create a society in which individuals with communication and swallowing needs are supported. Graduates will be prepared to enhance the quality of lives of individuals with communication and swallowing needs and their caregivers, families, and communities through service, teaching, research, and advocacy.

Gain the in-depth knowledge needed to provide effective, evidence-based services to individuals in a variety of settings including, healthcare, private practice, rehabilitation clinics, early intervention and schools. Courses are designed to provide the skill sets to serve individuals of diverse ages and backgrounds, allowing graduates to become highly qualified and ethical speech-language pathologists and audiologists.

Apply Now Schedule a Visit

Learn More

Loading…

Career Outlook

Speech-language pathologists (sometimes called SLPs or speech therapists) assess and treat people who have speech, language, voice, fluency, and swallowing disorders. Speech-language pathologists also work with clients who have problems understanding and expressing language.

Employment of speech-language pathologists is projected to grow 19 percent from 2022 to 2032.

– U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Job Titles Include:

  • Speech-Language Pathologist
  • Speech Therapist

EKU communication disorders graduates work in a variety of industries and roles.

Employers Include:

  • Baptist Health Hospital
  • Bluegrass Pediatric Therapies
  • Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation
  • Ephraim McDowell Kids Can Do Pediatric Therapy Center
  • Family Choice Health Care
  • Georgetown Community Hospital
  • Hogg Therapy
  • Kentucky Public Schools
  • Kentucky’s Early Intervention System
  • Lexington VA Medical Center
  • Marshall Pediatrics Therapy
  • The Heritage Rehabilitation
  • Wilson Pediatric Therapy & Learning

The Office of Academic and Career Services is a one-stop shop for all your career and professional development needs.

Services Include:

  • Creating/updating your resume and cover letter
  • Interviewing tips and coaching
  • Career documents review
  • Job search

Why EKU?

  • Free textbooks through EKU BookSmart
  • No application fee
  • Reduced tuition for active-duty military members and their spouses
  • Nationally ranked program in speech-language pathology
  • Research opportunities including: voice laboratory, interdisciplinary research, publications, presentations, thesis option
  • Clinical experiences including: EKU Speech-Language Hearing Clinic, specialty clinical experiences, medical externship, school externship
  • Employment rate of more than 90%

Clinical Experience

Communication Sciences & Disorders (CSD) students are enrolled in multiple practicum experiences throughout the graduate program, including:

Students will gain experience with clients across the lifespan and with various communication disorders.

This on-campus school-based setting provides hands-on experience with P-12 students in the classroom and therapy settings.

Opportunities with summer programming that allow focused experience with fluency, cognitive communication, support groups, early intervention supports, and literate language.

Students complete 16-week, full time externship experiences in medical and school settings. Settings including:

  • Acute Care Hospital
  • Rehabilitation Center
  • Long-Term Care
  • Home Health
  • Private Practice
  • Outpatient Center
  • Elementary, Middle, and High Schools
  • Model Lab School

Curriculum & Enrollment

EKU’s Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders curriculum prepares you for a variety of rewarding career options that will allow you to improve the lives of others and become a leader in your field.

Communication sciences and disorders graduate courses are taught by instructors with real-world experience and designed to provide skill sets that can be applied to service, teaching, research, and advocacy. Courses include neurogenic language disorders, child language disorders, augmentative & alternative communication systems, motor speech disorders, speech sound disorders, diagnosis of communication disorders, fluency disorders, voice disorders, and dysphagia.

A minimum of 63 credits are required to graduate.

View the degree requirements:

EKU Academic Catalog

Please review the admissions requirements before applying for this or any program. If you have questions about the program or are planning to register for classes, please speak to the program advisor.

Students may transfer up to 12 hours of credit from accredited institutions. Please note that a minimum of 15 credit hours in this degree program must be completed at Eastern Kentucky University.

Previously earned credits must be reviewed upon admission to EKU for appropriate articulation.

TermApplication
Deadline		Classes
Begin
SummerFebruary 15May

For clear admission to the program the student must:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders or a related field
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Professional essay
  • Online interview

The Master of Arts (M.A.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at Eastern Kentucky University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

Student Outcome Data

Two indicators of our graduate program’s effectiveness are: (1) on-time program completion rates and (2) Praxis exam pass rates. On both indicators, our program rates have been above the 80% target level (see tables below).

On-Time Program Completion Rates (Graduation Rates)

Reporting PeriodNumber completed within the expected time framePercent completed within the expected time frame
Recent Year (2023-2024)28/28100%
1 Year Prior
(2022-2023)		28/3093%
2 Years Prior
(2021-2022)		39/3096.67%

3-Year Program Completion Average – 96.59%

Praxis Exam Pass Rates

Reporting PeriodNumber of Test TakersNumber PassedPass Rate Average
Recent Year (2023-2024)262180.77%
1 Year Prior
(2022-2023)		252392%
2 Years Prior
(2021-2022)		161593.75%

3-Year Praxis Exam Pass Rate Average – 88.06%

Enrolling & Advising Information

EKU’s College of Education and Applied Human Sciences is committed to delivering high-quality enrollment and academic advising for our students. We strive to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and meaningful engagement to help students reach their academic goals and have a rewarding educational experience.

Interested in enrolling? Reach out to our college enrollment counselor today.

professional photo of shaker ezaizat

Shaker Ezaizat

Enrollment Advisor

859-622-2316
shaker.ezaizat@eku.edu

Schedule an Appointment
CEAHS Advising Information for Current Students

Additional Contact Info

Admissions: 859-622-2106
Academic Testing: 859-622-1281
Big E Central (Financial Aid & Student Account Services): 859-622-2361
Military & Veterans Affairs Office: 859-622-2345

Student Stories & Features

Crickett Ravizee

Crickett Ravizee

EKU Clinical Mental Health Counseling Student
Connecting with my cohort has been my favorite experience. Its nice working with people who also have a drive to help others and want to better the world.
Kennedy Thurman

Kennedy Thurman

EKU Clinical Mental Health Counseling Student
Dr. Mi-Hee Jeon has been very beneficial in my courses and has shown me a totally different side of counseling.

Mollie Martin

EKU Psychology Graduate & Clinical Mental Health Counseling Student
After receiving my Bachelor of Science in Psychology in May of 2021, I decided to stay with EKU for graduate school to earn a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This program allowed me more room to grow, not only professionally, but personally too. My skills have improved in all areas of my life and I feel confident and comfortable to take the next step in my life in working as a mental health therapist. I have met many inspirational people along the way who I now consider to be role models. I have made many friends in…

Quick Links

Upcoming Events

View Calendar

News & Updates

EKU Climbs the Ranks for Best Public Affairs Program

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) has climbed the ranks in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report Graduate School rankings, particularly in the category of Best Public Affairs Programs,  where it […]

Related Programs

Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate

Common Job Titles: occupational therapist

Modalities: on-campus

Credit Hours: 73-91

M.S. in Psychology – Experimental

Common Job Titles: clinical psychologist, rehabilitation counselor, human resources specialist, market researcher

Modalities: on-campus

Credit Hours: 33

Contact Information

Department of Clinical Therapeutic Programs

Wallace Building
Room 201

859-622-1125
cou.csdoffice@eku.edu

Department Directory