The Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential (Language, Speech and Hearing Services and Audiology) is designed for persons who wish certification to serve exceptional individuals as language, speech and hearing specialists, and/or as audiologists.

A. Admission

Admission to the credential program requires admission to the master’s program in the Department of Communicative Disorders. Applicants for graduate status must possess either a baccalaureate degree in Communicative Disorders or complete 30 semester units of prerequisite courses, the Graduate Record Examination or Miller’s Analogy, and submit recommendations, transcripts and the departmental application.

B. Pre-Clinical Phase

For students who wish to obtain the credential but lack the required baccalaureate degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences for admission to graduate studies, the first step in qualifying for admission is to complete the Pre-Clinical Phase courses. Refer to the Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences for description of the requirements for the Pre-Clinical and Clinical Phases of instruction. Note that all entering undergraduate and post-baccalaureate undeclared majors (which also includes Pre-CDS majors) are regarded as Pre-Clinical Phase students. All majors, including credential candidates, are required to have academic advisement by the Department during pre-registration activities each semester.

In order for a student to qualify for admission to Clinical Privileges (Clinical Phase), the Pre-Clinical Phases courses must be completed with a grade of “B” or better in each course. The student then submits a formal application for Clinical Privileges to the department. Evaluation for Clinical Privileges includes an assessment of academic and clinical potential, supported by letters of recommendation, academic transcripts and satisfactory completion of the Pre-Clinical Phase courses. Application forms and instructions are found in the Communicative Disorders Department Office.

As soon as the candidate is accepted for Clinical Privileges (Clinical Phase), the student is eligible to enroll in the following courses:

EPC 314 Psychological Foundations, K-12 (3)
FCS 330 Child Growth and Development I (3)

C. Requirements for Good Standing

Once admitted to Clinical Privileges (Clinical Phase), undergraduate and graduate majors in Communicative Disorders must continue to meet the standards for Clinical Privileges as described by the Department of Communicative Disorders. Additionally, once admitted, all candidates must maintain an overall 3.0 GPA in the major. Failure to maintain good standing may result in dismissal from the credential program.

D. Graduate Requirements for the Credential

The Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential (Language, Speech and Hearing Services and Audiology) requires completion of the Master of Science degree in Communicative Disorders, with the appropriate emphasis in either Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology. In order to take the advanced (500- and 600-level) courses for the master’s degree, a student must be admitted to Conditionally Classified or Classified graduate status by the department. Consult with the Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences for admission requirements, deadlines and forms. Note that admission to Classified graduate status by the department requires completion of conditions as described in the departmental section of this Catalog. Also note that admission to the Audiology emphasis has been suspended until a new clinical doctorate program is developed and accredited.

E. In addition to prerequisite courses and the master’s degree, the following courses are required for the credential:

1. Core Curriculum

CD 485 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (3)
EPC 314 Psychological Foundations, K-12 (3)
FCS 330 Child Growth and Development I (3)
SPED 438CDA Student Teaching in Severe Language Handicapped Aphasia (4)

For Speech-Language Pathology only:

CD 480 Early Speech-Language Intervention (3)
CD 672A-B Advanced Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology I and II (3, 3)

2. Other Requirements

All credential candidates must satisfactorily complete the CBEST and the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam.

3. Special Class Authorization (Aphasic)

A program by which a candidate for the Speech-Language Pathology Services (Language, Speech and Hearing) Credential may add the Special Class Authorization (Aphasia) has been developed at CSUN and has been approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The following courses are required:

CD 478 Severe Language Handicapped and/or Aphasic Pupils in the Classroom (3)
EED 520 Reading Instruction for Diverse Learners (3)
EED 640 Elementary School Mathematics Education (2)
MATH 210 Basic Number Concepts (3)
SPED 438CD Student Teaching in Language, Speech and Hearing and Audiology (6)

Total Units Required for the Credential: 15