Program Overview
College of Natural and Health Sciences
Coordinator: Nicole Reisfeld
Email: Nicole.Reisfeld@unco.edu
Location: Gunter 1400
Telephone: 970-351-2782
Website: www.unco.edu/nhs/audiology-speech-language-sciences/
This certifying master's program is fully accredited and provides excellent academic, research, and clinical preparation.
Areas emphasized include:
- The science of communication;
- The nature, prevention, assessment, and management of:
- developmental articulation disorders
- language and literacy disorders
- voice disorders
- fluency disorders
- pervasive developmental disorders, including autism
- dysphagia
- neurologic disorders including aphasia, apraxia, post head-injury disorders and dementia;
- Augmentative and alternative communication systems;
- Aural rehabilitation.
This program offers extensive supervised clinical experience through the well-equipped UNC Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Clinic and ancillary clinics in Colorado. This M.A. program is accredited by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Students who complete this program are eligible to apply for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Graduates can also qualify for licensure from the Colorado Department of Education. Career opportunities include: positions in schools, hospitals, practice in association with a range of physicians including otolaryngology, neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry and pediatrics; rehabilitation centers, and private practice.
Communication is what allows us to connect with each other and the world around us. Make a difference in the world through a career that empowers people with communication differences. The Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders at University of Northern Colorado (UNCO) offers several pathways to career opportunities in this exciting field: A Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, the Speech-Language Pathology Certificate (SLPA) Program; an on-campus Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program; an online Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program; and Doctor of Audiology (AuD) program.
Our undergraduate program provides students with the opportunity to explore the exciting science behind how we talk, formulate language, speak, hear, and listen. Students will explore a variety of communication disorders including brain injury, stroke, Autism, developmental delays, hearing loss, and more. Through this program, students will learn about how communication disorders are evaluated and treated. Students who graduate from our undergraduate programs go on to pursue meaningful, fulfilling careers in fields such as speech-language pathology, audiology, occupational therapy, behavioral therapy, medicine, public health, counseling, human services, special education, and more.
The Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) certificate program equips students pursuing their bachelor's degree, students who have completed their bachelor's degree, and students who have completed equivalent leveling coursework with the knowledge and skills they need to serve students with communication challenges in the public school setting under the supervision of a certified speech-language pathologist (SLP). The employment growth rate for this exciting career pathway is faster than average according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Our graduate degree programs include a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) and a Doctor of Audiology (AuD). We offer both an on-campus SLP program and an online SLP program to meet a variety of student needs. Through the SLP degree, students will develop their knowledge and clinical skills to become a practicing speech-language pathologist. Through the AuD degree, students will develop their knowledge and clinical skills to become a practicing audiologist. These clinical degree programs involve a combination of both academic learning as well as hands-on clinical training in a variety of settings, including the on-campus UNCO Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology Clinic and participation in our Community Engaged programs. Both career paths are forecasted to have an excellent outlook for job opportunities and career growth. Both career paths rank consistently high in job satisfaction. Our students who graduate from these programs go on to practice in a variety of settings including healthcare facilities, home settings, K-12 schools, universities, private practice, government agencies, industry, and more.
Admission to the Graduate School does not guarantee admission to the Speech-Language Pathology graduate program.
Prerequisites. The program assumes an undergraduate background in speech-language pathology and/or audiology. Students who do not have such a background must fulfill academic requirements as determined by their major advisor. These requirements must be met before admission to the graduate program.
Admission
Location: Greeley
Start Term: Fall
General Master's Degree Admission Requirements
Speech-Language Pathology M.A. - Residential Program
Admission Deadline
The application deadline for the fall 2025 term is Feb. 1, 2025. Applications will be accepted beginning Oct. 1, 2024.
All application materials must be submitted and received by the application deadline for admission consideration.
Admission Requirements: CSDCAS
Submit the following items to the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS):
- Application for Admission
- Official transcripts from each college or university attended (including UNC). UNC currently requires a 3.0 minimum grade point average for regular admission to a graduate program.
- Three letters of recommendation. Preferably, two of the three letters of recommendation will be from previous professors, but if that is not possible, then please make sure the letters of recommendation speak to your ability to perform well in a rigorous academic program. Please use the online format provided by CSDCAS.
Admission Requirements: Graduate School
Applicants must apply to the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) before the program area reviews the applicant’s request for admission. Failure to submit all required materials will delay the evaluation and screening of your application.
Each applicant must:
Take the following steps to be considered for admission:
Step 1: Complete the Application
Complete the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) application.
Step 2: Request Transcripts
Please Note: As all official transcripts are submitted to CSDCAS, they do not need to be resubmitted to the Office of Admissions.
However, if you are admitted to UNC and you were still working on your bachelor's degree at your time of application, during your first semester you will need to submit an official transcript to the Office of Admissions from the institution you graduated from, showing your degree was conferred. If your final GPA fell below 3.00, you will be given additional academic stipulations to remain enrolled at UNC.
Exceptions: If an applicant intends to use Veteran’s Education Benefits, an official transcript from all colleges or universities attended will be required in order to maintain compliance with Veteran’s Affairs policies.
Official transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent via mail directly from the educational institution in an unopened, sealed envelope or through an electronically secure digital program from the issuing institution.
Mailed transcripts should be sent to:
University of Northern Colorado
Office of Admissions
Campus Box 10
501 20th St
Greeley, CO 80639
Electronic transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent directly from the educational institution to: grad.admissions@unco.edu.
The Office of Admissions does not accept email, scanned or PDF transcripts directly from applicants. All official transcripts, submitted as part of the application process, are retained by UNC and not returned to applicants or admitted students.
UNC retains submitted transcripts, from institutions other than UNC, for admitted students for up to five years after graduation or date of last attendance at UNC. Transcripts provided by applicants who were not admitted, denied admissions or did not complete their application are destroyed after one (1) year. The Office of Admissions will make every attempt to use previously submitted transcripts if they are within these time frames. However, if the Office of Admissions cannot locate previously submitted transcripts, the transcripts fall outside the time frames listed above or they are considered illegible, applicants must provide new transcripts.
Applicants with academic credentials from outside the U.S. will need to follow the requirements for submission of foreign transcripts. Click on the Transcripts tab for information about international transcripts.
Step 3: Note About the GRE
This program does not require GRE scores.
Once your CSDCAS application is complete, your application will be reviewed by the Graduate School and then sent to the faculty/program for an admission recommendation.
Initial decisions about admission to the program are typically made by mid-March. A list of alternates is also developed, and alternates may be admitted to the program up until the beginning of Fall semester.
Strong applicants will have a solid background in communication disorders as well as science. Desired science courses include biology, chemistry and human anatomy and physiology. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.
International applicants (non-U.S. citizen/non-U.S. Permanent Resident) please refer to the International Admissions Requirements page for further information about submitting transcripts, English proficiency scores, passport copy and financial documentation.
For More Information
For more information about the admission process, please email the Office of Admissions at grad.admissions@unco.edu or call 970-351-2881.
Degree Requirements
Required Core Credits — 34 credits
| CSD 516 | Professional Issues in SLP | 2 |
| CSD 555 | Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology of Communication | 3 |
| CSD 563 | Voice and Resonance Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 571 | Speech and Hearing Science | 3 |
| CSD 580 | Clinical Practices in Aural Rehabilitation | 1 |
| CSD 655 | Acquired Disorders of Language & Cognition | 3 |
| CSD 656 | Feeding and Swallowing Disorders: Lifespan | 3 |
| CSD 657 | Motor Speech Disorders: Lifespan | 2 |
| CSD 658 | Assistive Technology for Communication Disorders | 2 |
| CSD 661 | Articulation and Phonological Disorders in Children | 3 |
| CSD 664 | Fluency Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 682 | Language Disorders in Early Childhood and Preschool | 3 |
| CSD 684 | Disorders of Language & Literacy: School-Age and Adolescent | 3 |
Choose 1 of the following research courses — 3 credits
| RCS 610 | Interpretation and Evaluation of Behavioral Research | 3 |
| SRM 600 | Introduction to Graduate Research | 3 |
CSD Foundational Research Course — 1 credit
| CSD 515 | Foundations of Research and Writing | 1 |
Clinical Practicum — 10-14 credits
| CSD 567 | Diagnostic Procedures: Introduction | 1-2 |
| CSD 568 | Diagnostic Procedures: Intermediate | 1-2 |
| CSD 569 | Advanced Diagnostic Procedures | 1-2 |
| CSD 583 | Clinical Practicum: Introduction | 1-2 |
| CSD 585 | Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology: Intermediate | 1-2 |
| CSD 586 | Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology: Intermediate/Advanced | 1-2 |
| CSD 588 | Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology: Advanced | 1-2 |
CSD 567: Take 1 hour
CSD 568: Take 1 hour
CSD 569: Take 1 hour
CSD 583: Take 1 hour
CSD 585: Take 2 hours
CSD 586: Take 2 hours
CSD 588: Take 2 hours
The primary purpose of clinical practica is to help students become competent in the assessment and treatment of various communication disorders. For this reason, students are required to be continuously enrolled in practicum courses during their graduate work. Clinic clock hours obtained through practicum courses will be used to help students meet the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) clock-hour requirements in certain clinical categories. In some cases students may need additional clinical clock hours and experience as determined by the Clinic Coordinator. In such instances, they may repeat CSD 585, CSD 586, CSD 588, CSD 567, CSD 568, and/or CSD 569. See the program handbook for more information.
Internships — 12-24 credits
Students must take both internships.
Must be arranged by internship coordinator.
| CSD 592 | Internship in Public Schools | 1-15 |
| CSD 692 | Internship in Medical Settings | 1-16 |
CSD 592: Take a minimum of 6 credits.
CSD 692: Take a minimum of 6 credits.
Thesis Option — Elective Credits— 9 credits
Students who elect to complete a thesis may reduce the number of credits assigned to internship with the consent of their academic advisor. In addition to the requirements above, they must complete the following:
| CSD 699 | Thesis: Communication Disorders | 1-6 |
| | |
| SRM 602 | Statistical Methods I | 3 |
| or | |
| Other statistics course approved by advisor | |
Students who complete this program and who pass the Praxis exam and clinical fellowship are eligible for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and for licensure from the Colorado Department of Education. Eight weeks of internship in public schools are required to be eligible for licensure from the Colorado Department of Education. This program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the ASHA and by the Colorado Department of Education.
Satisfactory performance on culminating activity/activities approved by program faculty, in accordance with Graduate School policy, satisfies the completion of the comprehensive exam and is required to complete the M.A. Program.