Communication Disorders Preparation FAQ

Q:  Why should I enroll in the Communication Disorders Preparation (CDP) program?

A: The preparation program is designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in a field outside of speech-language pathology, audiology, or communication sciences & disorders and who wish to prepare for entry into a graduate level program in speech-language pathology or communication sciences & disorders.

Q:  What are the advantages of enrolling in the preparation program over enrolling in courses as a non-matriculated student?

A:  While Stockton allows students to enroll in undergraduate and graduate level courses on a non-matriculated basis, registration for classes is on a space-available basis, once all matriculated students have registered.

Classes in the undergraduate Speech Pathology & Audiology program tend to fill up quickly and are often closed within the first few days of registration.

Students who already hold an undergraduate degree should be enrolled in graduate level coursework, however, no more than 6 graduate credits may be attempted in non-matriculated status.

Non-matriculated students are not eligible for financial aid, nor are they eligible to live in on-campus housing.  Additional information may be found on the Graduate Studies webpage at: http://intraweb.stockton.edu/eyos/page.cfm?siteID=73&pageID=29

Non-matriculated students are also not assigned preceptors (advisors).

Q: How can I apply to the CDP program?

A: Information and forms can be found on the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies webpage: http://intraweb.stockton.edu/eyos/page.cfm?siteID=73&pageID=3  under “Graduate Certificate/Preparation Programs”.

Q: If admitted into the Communication Disorders Preparation program, does that guarantee me a spot in the Masters program?

A:  No.  All students will need to apply for admission into the Masters program. A review of the candidate’s application will include: (1) completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of “C”; (2) minimum cumulative GPA  of 3.2 or higher (emphasis will be placed on the most recent 60 credits completed; GPA of 3.5 or higher is considered competitive); (3) GRE scores (50th percentile in the Verbal and Quantitative sections will be considered competitive); (4) a personal statement; (5) interview; (6) 3 letters of recommendation; and (7) students must meet the “Technical Standards and Essential Functions” requirements for participation in Stockton’s MSCD program.  These functions can be reviewed online at: http://intraweb.stockton.edu/eyos/health_sciences/content/docs/Technical%20Standards%20for%20Admission%20and%20Retention.pdf

Q: Why can’t I just take similar courses offered in the undergraduate program?

A: Individuals who already hold an undergraduate degree should be enrolled in graduate level coursework. In addition, enrolling in undergraduate courses would require the individual to enroll as a non-matriculated student.

Q: What are the disadvantages of taking courses as a non-matriculated (non-degree seeking) student versus enrolling in the preparation program?

A: Stockton allows students to enroll on a non-matriculated basis to “sample” courses prior to applying to a degree program. Registration for classes is on a space-available basis once all matriculated students have registered. No more than 6 graduate credits may be attempted in non-matriculated status. After sampling graduate courses as a non-matriculated student, a student is encouraged to apply for formal admission to the program. Non-matriculated students are not eligible for financial aid, nor are they eligible to live in on-campus housing.  Additional information may be found on the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies webpage at: http://intraweb.stockton.edu/eyos/page.cfm?siteID=73&pageID=29

Q: Can I enroll in the courses offered in Stockton’s CDP program to satisfy pre-requisite requirements at another institution?

A: Each graduate program decides individually which courses they will accept as pre-requisites. The 5 courses currently selected for the CDP program are foundational courses which we have found to be generally required by most programs. Please check with the programs you are applying to for their specific requirements. Additional pre-requisite coursework may be required by the institution to which you plan to apply.

Stockton’s Masters of Science in Communication Disorders Pre-requisite Requirements:
Pre-requisite coursework includes the following courses or equivalents (grade of “C” or better):

CMDS 5101: Phonetics
CMDS 5102: Speech Science I (Hearing Science)
CMDS 5103: Speech Science II (Speech Science)
CMDS 5115: Language Acquisition
CMDS 5119: Introduction to Communication Disorders

Recommended:

CMDS 2120: Audiology
CMDS 3121: Aural Rehabilitation

You will also need to document a grade of “C” or better for the following Knowledge and Skills Acquisition (KASA) requirements  for certification in Speech-Language Pathology by ASHA:

Biology ( e.g. BIOL 1200, HLTH 2221)
Physical Science (e.g. a course dealing primarily with the principles of physics, chemistry, astronomy, or geology)
Mathematics (e.g. statistics or college level mathematics course)
Social Science (e.g. a course in psychology or sociology)

Q: Can I to apply to the Masters program without having completed the CDP program pre-requisites and KASA requirements?

Part 1: A: Yes.  As long as you have the 5 CDP program pre-requisite courses completed by the end of the summer prior to beginning the Masters program(e.g. complete the 5 courses by August in order to start the Masters program in September). 

Part 2: A: Yes. Technically, the KASA requirements could be taken while you are enrolled in the graduate program, but why add to an already demanding credit load?  If you elect this option, you would have to provide the MSCD program with a proposal of how you plan to complete those KASA requirements.  The final KASA will not be signed-off by the MSCD program director until all the requirements are fulfilled.  The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) will not consider your application for certification without the signature from the Masters program.

Q : What is the status of Stockton’s Master of Science in Communication Disorders?

A: The program has been approved by the necessary college and state entities. We have applied to the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) for candidacy. We cannot move forward until candidacy approval has been received by ASHA. Please refer to the School of Health Sciences webpage for updates:

http://intraweb.stockton.edu/eyos/page.cfm?siteID=168&pageID=39

Q: When are the courses for the CDP program be offered?

A: The 5 graduate level CDP courses are offered only in the Fall and Spring semesters. These courses are offered in the evenings.  However, during the summer sessions, if there is class space available, you can register for the pre-requite courses at the undergraduate level.  

Q: Can Communication Disorders Preparation Program students apply for financial aid?

A: Yes.   CDP students may be eligible for student loans.  There is a cap of $2,750.00 in the Direct Loan Program by federal regulations.  However, students can apply for private alternative loans.  Information and applications are on the financial aid website.  Please contact the Office of Financial Aid for details at (609) 652-4201.

Q: Will completion of the CDP program lead to certification as a speech-language pathologist or speech-language specialist?

A: No. That is not the intention of the preparation program. Professional certification and licensure in New Jersey (and in most states) requires a Masters Degree in Speech- Language Pathology or Communication Sciences & Disorders. Students are encouraged to complete the CDP program and then pursue a master’s degree in the appropriate field.

Q: What is emergency certification?

A: Due to a persistent number of vacancies for speech-language specialists in the schools, the N.J. Department of Education has allowed for a waiver referred to as “emergency certification”. According to NJAC 6A:9-13.6 (e) Chapter 9, Professional Licensing and Standards, Speech-Language Specialist:

“An emergency certificate may be issued to a candidate who either holds a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology or is currently enrolled in a master’s program in speech pathology in which the candidate has completed a minimum of 12 graduate semester-hours in speech pathology. All study must be completed at a regionally accredited college or university. The emergency certificate may be renewed a total of four times.”

http://www.state.nj.us/education/code/current/title6a/chap9.pdf

Since the CDP program is a preparation program designed to prepare students for graduate study and is not a master’s program in speech pathology, completion of coursework in the program would not lead to emergency certification.

FAQ last updated November 6, 2012 by PAH.