CSD Graduate Program

The minimal admission requirements for the Master of Science program in speech-language pathology are as follows:

• Completed CSDCAS application form
• Academic transcripts reflecting Fall 2024 grades must be submitted to CSDCAS
• Academic transcripts from all universities attended including one that indicates an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Evidence of successful completion of academic coursework in normal language development, phonetics, anatomy and physiology of communication, speech science, phonological and articulation disorders, audiology, and aural rehabilitation, statistics, biological science, physics or chemistry and social/behavioral science. These courses are available online through Harding University. The list of leveling courses is listed under post-baccalaureate coursework
• Competitive GPA on undergraduate academic courses (the average undergraduate GPA for students admitted to our Fall 2024 cohort was 3.6)
• Three letters of evaluation, two of which must be academic
• GRE is no longer required as an admission requirement

The Communication Sciences and Disorders graduate program partners with the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS). Applications to this program are sent to and processed by CSDCAS. Our absolute deadline for applications is February 15 of the spring semester prior to fall enrollment. The CSDCAS portal will open July 15, 2024.  

To be considered and eligible for review, a CSDCAS application must be verified with required letters of evaluation, transcripts, and all applicable documents (test scores, etc.), submitted in the directed manner to CSDCAS and received by our office by the program deadline date (February 15).

CSD Student Handbook pdf

CSD Core Functions Form pdf

Harding University

HU Academic Catalog

HU Graduate/Professional Student Handbook pdf

HU Student Complaint Policy

Harding University in Zambia-Speech-Language Pathology

HIZ-Path (Current Harding Graduate Students) pdf

HIZ-Path (Graduate students transferring for HIZ-Path) pdf

HIZ-Path (Guests) pdf

HIZ-Path Registration Packet pdf

HIZ-Path Handbook pdf

Additional Information

State Contacts and Licensure Information

The typical progression of courses is outlined below.  Students will be assigned an academic advisor who will assist with any deviations from the standard course progression.  

FALL - SEMESTER I (15 hrs academic credit)

CSD 6110 - Clinical Issues in the Birth to 5 Population (5 hrs)

CSD 6120 - Neurology of Speech, Language, and Hearing (3 hrs)

CSD 6150 - Research and Writing (3 hrs)

CSD 6170 - Counseling/Interviewing in Communication Sciences and Disorders (1 hr)

CSD 6190 - Clinical Practicum I (3 hrs)

SPRING - SEMESTER II (13 hrs academic credit)

CSD 6220 - Clinical Issues in the School-Age Population (5 hrs)

CSD 6230 - Adult Dysphagia (3 hrs)

CSD 6240 - Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Disorders (2 hrs)

CSD 6290 - Clinical Practicum II (3 hrs)   

SUMMER I - SEMESTER IIIa (4 hrs academic credit)

CSD 6320 - Seminar:  Multicultural Aspects of Communication Sciences and Disorders (1 hr)

CSD 6390 - Clinical Practicum III (3 hrs)

SUMMER II - SEMESTER IIIb (5 hrs academic credit)

        CSD 6300-Medical Aspects of Speech-Language Pathology (3 hrs) (elective)

CSD 6350 - Alternative Modes of Communication (2 hrs)

CSD 6380 - Special Populations in Communication Sciences and Disorders (3 hrs)

FALL - SEMESTER IV (11 hrs academic credit)

CSD 6450 - Clinical Issues in the Middle to Older Adult Population (5 hrs)

CSD 6460 - Fluency (2 hrs)

CSD 6480 - Seminar: Special Topics (1 hr)

CSD 6490 - Clinical Practicum IV (3 hrs)

SPRING - SEMESTER V (12 hrs academic credit)

CSD 6510 - Professional Issues and Business Practices (2 hrs)

CSD 6530 - Clinical Issues in the Late Adolescent through the Early Adult Population (5 hrs)

CSD 6570 - Personal and Professional Ethics (2 hrs)

CSD 6590 - Clinical Practicum V (3 hrs)

Program Total = 60 academic hours

• Completion of the M.S. degree in Speech-Language Pathology curriculum (totaling 60 semester hours) with a 3.0 cumulative grade point average, no academic class grade less than a “C” and no clinical class grade less than a “B” (see Academic Progression, and Academic Probation and Dismissal sections of the Student Handbook for additional details).
• Completion of 400 clinical clock hours, which includes a maximum of 50 hours of undergraduate clinical experiences and 25 hours of observation with satisfactory ratings from all clinical supervisors.
• Completion of the Knowledge and Skills Acquisition (KASA) form with each competency marked as acquired and certified by the program director.
• Passing score on the comprehensive examination.
• Satisfactory evidence of good interpersonal relations and ethical professional conduct.

Mission of the Speech-Language Pathology Program

Our program excels in developing highly skilled and professional graduates who are ready to impact their local and global communities by improving the lives of those they serve. Christian faculty and staff are invested in providing an unparalleled experience utilizing a comprehensive curriculum, contemporary technology, and state-of-the-art facilities to engage students in reaching their full potential, both educationally and spiritually. As a result, our students exemplify ethical leadership, critical thinking and interprofessional collaboration to support top-of-the-license practice.

Post-baccalaureate coursework provides the academic foundation for entry into a Master of Science program in speech-language pathology. The course offerings are informed by the 2020 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association academic and clinical guidelines for SLPs, as well as the standards for certification of professionals set forth by the Council for Clinical Certification. Data from the Communication Sciences & Disorders Centralized Application Service also informs our selection of courses to suggest to students. This course sequence provides a strong foundation for future SLPs who desire to work with individuals of all ages across a variety of work settings and provides the student with the discipline-specific courses required to apply to our master’s program in speech-language pathology. Students should be aware that master’s program requirements can differ between schools. Course sequence may be modified to meet individual student needs. Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree, and a transcript review by the program director is strongly recommended.

The minimal admission requirements for the Master of Science program in speech-language pathology include evidence of successful completion of academic coursework in normal language development, phonetics, anatomy and physiology of communication, speech science, phonological and articulation disorders, audiology, and aural rehabilitation, statistics, biological science, physics or chemistry and social/behavioral science.

Expanded scholarship opportunities are available. Please contact us for details at csd@harding.edu.

In our graduate assistantship, students work 10 hours/week for the department and receive 10 hours/week of scholarship; total award is $25,000 if the award is retained through five semesters.

Students indicate a desire to apply for this award during the application process. Strong candidates are identified and interviewed. We award three GA positions in each cohort of students, for a total of 6 in our graduate program (three in each of two cohorts).

Additional departmental scholarship opportunities will be made available to candidates accepted to the program.

Once both seat deposits have been paid and the student is admitted to the University, full-time students in the MS-SLP program may apply for GA positions in other departments on campus via the form in Pipeline.

In some areas, speech-language pathologists qualify for the TEACH grant program and may also be eligible for public service loan forgiveness.

Graduate student scholarships are available from the ASHFoundation, EBS Healthcare, Council for Academic Programs in CSD, Health Resources & Services Administration, AMBUCS and Junior Auxiliary, among others.

Learn more about Graduate Financial Aid and resources.

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders administrative offices, clinical facilities and classes are located in the Swaid Center for Health Sciences on the main Harding University campus. The Swaid building is located at 805 E. Park Avenue and is fully accessible to those with disabilities with "visitor" and "handicapped" parking available in the lot in front of the building. An Online Map is available. We invite you to visit at any time. We would love the opportunity to tell you more about our undergraduate and graduate programs and the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology. Our facilities are beautiful, and we would love to give you a tour. To make an appointment or to request information, please contact 501-279-4648 or csd@harding.edu.