Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education - MS, MA, MEd
About This Degree
The Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, which houses the Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education, ranks in the top 2% of all graduate colleges of education.
The college was also ranked third in the nation in total research dollars received, according to “America's Best Graduate Schools” U.S. News & World Report.
The department is organized into three divisions: audiology, speech-language pathology, and deaf education.
The speech-language pathology MS degree requires students to complete a research component. The MA degree requires a comprehensive examination. Both MS and MA degrees are recognized as comparable degrees within both clinical and academic speech-language pathology settings.
The MEd is designed for students who plan to work in the deaf educational field.
Specialization:
Speech-Language Pathology (MS, MA):
The speech-language pathology program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The MS and MA degrees prepare students to work with individuals of any age who have difficulties with communication or swallowing. This may include infants or children with speech, language, hearing, and literacy development problems; children and adults who stutter, have voice disorders; or children or adults who suffer speech, language and swallowing problems as the consequence of neurological disease or stroke. Students may also apply for the listening and spoken language emphasis, working with children who have hearing loss.
ADVISING
At a Glance
College: Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services
Department: Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education Department
USU Locations:
- Logan campus
Program Requirements
Career And Outcomes
Career Opportunities
Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialization
- Graduates become teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing
Speech-Language Pathology Specialization
Graduates can work in the following settings:
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Rehabilitation centers
- Nursing facilities
- Home health care centers
- Community centers
- Private practice settings
Job Outlook
USU Locations
LOGAN CAMPUS
Admission
Admission Requirements
It is preferred that applicants have undergraduate backgrounds in communicative disorders or deaf education, depending on their desired specialization.
Application Requirements:
- Complete the online application
- Pay the $55 application fee
- Score at or above the 40th percentile on the GRE or MAT (MAT only accepted upon approval by the department)
- Have a 3.0 or higher GPA on your last 60 semester or 90 quarter credits
- Provide transcripts of all college/university credits
- Provide three contacts for letters of recommendation
- Students interested in the education of the deaf and hard of hearing specialization with a bilingual-bicultural focus must pass an ASL assessment. Contact the department for more information about this assessment.
International students have additional admissions requirements.
Deadlines
The department has the following deadline:
- MA, MS - Summer semester - January 15th
- The education of the deaf and hard of hearing specialization continues accepting students after this deadline if there is room in the program.
Program Requirements
Speech-Language Pathology Specialization:
Students in this specialization must complete clinical practicum and student teaching experiences. The requirements for these experiences are determined by the department, which also arranges each student’s placement with various organizations.
Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialization:
Students in this specialization must complete a practicum and student teaching experience, which is arranged by the department. There is also a unique opportunity to attend residency schools for the deaf throughout the country.
Plan Options
Students can receive the MS, MA, or MEd by pursuing one of three options:
- In the Plan A option, students complete graduate-level coursework and must write a thesis.
- The Plan B option requires the production of a paper or creative work of art and is expected to reflect equivalent scholarship standards as a thesis.
- A third option, Plan C (MA only), does not involve a thesis or a defense meeting and is comprised of coursework only.
Financial Aid
The Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education provides funding for many of its graduate students through teaching or research assistantships, available through the department or faculty having contracts, grants, or other awards.
A variety of funding opportunities are available on the graduate school website.
Take The Next Step
How to Apply
View our step-by-step guide on how to become an Aggie.
Request Information
Contact the School of Graduate Studies to ask questions or receive more information.
Cost and Funding
Calculate the cost of graduate school and learn about funding opportunities.
You May Also Be Interested In
Audiology
Earn a doctoral degree in audiology from an accredited program that is the first of its kind in the Intermountain West and Pacific states.
Disability Disciplines
Gain experience conducting and reporting research, writing grants, and teaching as you earn a degree from a program ranked in the top 20 nationally.
Neuroscience
The primary goal of the doctoral program in neuroscience is to provide students with a strong educational and research foundation in cellular, cognitive and behavioral neuroscience.
Psychology
Collaborate with faculty on a wide variety of research projects in psychology in one of the nation’s highest ranked graduate colleges.