Program Description

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers a master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. This degree is offered on both the OSU-Stillwater and OSU-Tulsa campuses. The primary objective of the program is to educate highly competent speech-language pathologists who are capable of interacting in a variety of employment settings such as public schools, clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, special schools, or private practice. The curriculum emphasizes speech/language/hearing abilities and disabilities as they develop and change throughout the life span. Academic work is combined with clinical experiences and research opportunities. Master's graduates from the OSU program are also well qualified to enter doctoral programs.

For those persons who have completed a bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders, the graduate program is approximately a 52 semester credit hour program. Course work in communication sciences and disorders, audiology and research design is combined with approximately 400 clock hours of clinical practicum experience with varied ages and communication disorders. Students with research interests are encouraged to elect a thesis option. Other students complete a non-thesis creative component.

Students with a bachelor's degree in a discipline other than communication sciences and disorders must complete 24 semester hours of prerequisite course work before being admitted to the graduate program.

The master's program in Communication Sciences and Disorders is accredited by the Council for Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Admission Requirements

1.   3.00 GPA overall and in Communication Sciences and Disorders (if applicable)
2.   Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (please send GRE scores to institution code 6546 and use department code 0620)
3.   Three letters of recommendation indicating ability to successfully complete a graduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
4.   Personal Statement
5.   For non-native speakers of English, scores of 550 (paper based test) or 213 (computer based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and 60 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE)

Financial Aid

Graduate Assistantships
Assistantships are awarded on the basis of past academic performance (3.00 GPA or better) and available funding. Each assistant is assigned a job within the department which may include teaching, research, clinical, or administrative duties. Assistantships typically are awarded for 25% time. Out-of-state students who receive quarter-time (or greater) assistantships are eligible for in-state tuition rates.

The Graduate College and the OSU Foundation also provide funds for additional scholarship opportunities. The Graduate Advisor can provide information concerning these.

Graduate Faculty List

Beeby, Gary J., Assistant Professor
B.S., Phillips University; M.A., University of Illinois.
Research: Auditory perceptual problems, Audiometric finding in rare medical syndromes.

Cremeens, Penny, Assistant Professor
BS, Southern Illinois University, M.S., Texas Tech University, Ph.D., Texas Tech University.
Research: Child language development, effects of language deficits on family dynamics.

Fischer, Martin A., Professor and Interim Department Head
B.A., University of California; M.S., Central Washington University; Ph.D., University of Oregon.
Research: Clinical Observation, application of technology to CSD, SLP in a virtual environment.

Fischer, Alecia S., Clinical Instructor and Coordinator of Clinical Services OSU-Tulsa
B.A., Southwest Missouri State University; M.A., Southwest Missouri State University
Research: Clinical Supervision

Giddens, Cheryl, Assistant Professor
B.S. University of Oklahoma, M.S., University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Ph.D., University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Research: Neurogenic speech and language disorders including Aphasia, Dementia, Traumatic Brain Injury, Motor Speech Disorders, and Spasmodic Dysphonia.

Marks, Janet A., Instructor
BS, Emporia State University; MA, Oklahoma State University.
Research: Assessment and early intervention with infants/toddlers, Parent communication styles.

Sealey-Holtz, Linda R. Assistant Professor
B.S. Oklahoma State University; M.Ed. University of Central Ohlahoma.
Development of phonological awareness through literacy, language disorders and development of grammar in narrative contexts, efficacy of service delivery systems.

Strom, Kaye, Instructor
BS, Oklahoma State University; M.S. University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
Research: Dysphagia, adult communication disorders, assistive communication systems and sign languages.

Tefft, Donita, Clinical Coordinator
B.A. Oklahoma State University; M.A. Oklahoma State University
Research: Cognitive readiness for powered mobility and the impact of mobility on language and social development.

Contact Information

Martin A. Fischer, Ph.D.
Professor and Interim Department Head
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
1107 Main Hall
700 N. Greenwood St
Tulsa, OK 74136
Phone: (918) 594-8325
Web: http://cdis.okstate.edu
email: fischer@okstate.edu