COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master’s in Communication Disorders at Southeast Missouri State University is a 58-hour graduate program designed to prepare students for professional practice as speech-language pathologists through advanced clinical training, academic coursework, and research experience. The program is built around extensive hands-on clinical practicum experiences, including multiple enrollments in advanced communication disorders clinical practice and an externship, where students work directly with clients under professional supervision. Core coursework covers a wide range of speech, language, and swallowing disorders, including articulation and phonological disorders, cognitive and language disorders across the lifespan, voice disorders, fluency disorders such as stuttering, neurogenic communication disorders, craniofacial and resonance disorders, pediatric feeding and swallowing, and augmentative and alternative communication systems. Students also study literacy development, research methodology, diversity and inclusion in communication disorders, and professional issues in the field. Additional foundational coursework in speech and hearing science and aural rehabilitation may be required depending on prior academic preparation. The program offers both thesis and non-thesis options, allowing students to choose between completing research through a thesis or engaging in applied research and a comprehensive examination. Overall, the degree emphasizes clinical competence, evidence-based practice, and cultural responsiveness, preparing graduates for certification and licensure as speech-language pathologists working in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other healthcare settings.