The Department of Communication Disorders & Sciences
"Educating tomorrow's speech, language and hearing professionals."
Our Mission:
The Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences has a three-dimensional mission of teaching, research and service for the advancement of human potential in speech, language and hearing. As part of a comprehensive university system dedicated to undergraduate and graduate instruction, teaching is always regarded as the first priority.
The Major:
The Communication Disorders and Sciences major involves studies in the disciplines of speech and hearing sciences, audiology, and speech-language pathology. Undergraduate and graduate programs offer an emphasis in either audiology or speech-language pathology.
The Degree Programs:
The Master's Degree is the professional entry-level requirement for employment as an audiologist or speech language pathologist. Completion of the baccalaureate and master's degree programs enable the students to satisfy the academic requirements for:
- license in all US states to practice in medical, rehabilitative, or private practice settings
- education credentials in all states for employment in public schools and
- professional certification by the American Speech Language-Hearing Association.
The department's curriculum is conducted through classroom instruction and experiential learning , including intensive student participation in the clinical programs of the CSUN Language, Speech and Hearing Center. Advanced graduate students obtain additional clinical experience through placement in the department's affiliated medical centers, professional practices, and public schools.
Program Vital Statistics:
Total Full-Time Faculty: 11
Full-Time Faculty with Doctorate: 7
Part-Time Faculty: 10 to 14 (varies by semester)
Total Residential Enrollment: Typically, the department has approximately 130 Full-Time Equivalent of graduate and undergraduate students (one FTE is 15 units of coursework by one student; typical course load is 11 to 12 units per student). This is comprised of 375 graduate and undergraduate students are in the departments BA and MS programs. Additionally, there are typically 60 to 70 students who have post-baccalaureate undeclared (PBU) status. PBU students are enrolled in the Graduate School, but have not been admitted to graduate status in the department as they are taking pre-requisite courses to qualify for applying for admission.
Total Enrollment in On-Line M.S. Program: Three cohorts of 35 to 57 students each, for a grand total of 137 students. A cohort starts annually in a three year graduate program in speech-language pathology. These students take all of their coursework and clinical practica within the cohort into which they were admitted. Students in the on-line distance education program may not take classes in the residential program; students in the residential program may not take classes in the distance education program.
The residential program is housed in Monterey Hall, a 35,000 square foot, three story building. The audiology wing offers two complete audiology test suites, as well as labs for auditory electrophysiology, a hearing aid dispensary, and an ear mold and real ear testing laboratory. Speech-language pathology facilities include 12 individual treatment rooms and 10 larger, group treatment spaces, all with direct observation and video recording capacity. There are speech science, swallowing and related laboratories. Other areas include a business office to support approximately 15,000 client visits for services in hearing, language, speech disorders, an instructional computer laboratory with 28 stations, two classrooms, two seminar rooms, clinical observation rooms and conference rooms with multi-media infrastructure.
The department has over 100 affiliations in the southern California region for student externships in medically-related and rehabilitation facilities and schools for the final year of graduate study. A jointly operated cochlear implant program exists with a partner hospital.
Other important statistics:
M.S. Degree Program Graduation Rate in Speech-Language Pathology
Residential Program Distance Program
Prior Year: 100% 90%
Two Years Prior: 100% 93%
Three Years Prior: 100% 94%
Three Year Average: 100% 94%
Employment in Speech-Language Pathology Profession Within One Year of Graduation
Residential Program Distance Program
Prior Year: 100% 100%
Two Years Prior: 100% 100%
Three Years Prior: 100% 100%
Three Year Average: 100% 100%
PRAXIS Examination in Speech-Language Pathology – Pass Rates
This examination is taken shortly after graduation to qualify for a permanent state license to practice and to qualify for the Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA. The national pass rate typically ranges between 75 and 80% for university programs in speech-language pathology.
Percentage Passing from CSUN
Residential Program Distance Program
Prior Year: 92% 91%
Combined Residential/Distance Programs
Two Years Prior: 84%
Three Years Prior: 93%
Four Years Prior: 96%