Communication Science and Disorders Florida State University

Overview

The Communication Science and Disorders programme at Florida State University provides a comprehensive pathway for students aiming to become certified speech-language pathologists. This Master of Science degree focuses on developing the clinical expertise and research skills necessary to support individuals with various communication challenges.

Students benefit from a curriculum that balances theoretical knowledge with practical application. The programme is designed to meet the requirements for national certification and state licensure, ensuring that graduates are fully prepared to enter the professional workforce immediately upon completion of their studies.

Instruction is delivered by a distinguished faculty in a supportive environment that emphasises small class sizes.

Why Communication Science and Disorders at Florida State University?

Florida State University maintains a reputation for excellence, with its programmes consistently ranked within the top 10% nationally by U.S. News and World Report. The School of Communication Science and Disorders is fully accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.

The institution features the FSU Speech & Hearing Clinic, an in-house facility where students begin their clinical training during their first semester. This immediate exposure to real-world practice is a distinctive feature that sets the university apart from many other graduate programmes in the field.

Beyond the campus, the university has established strong partnerships with hospitals, schools, and private practices throughout the Tallahassee community. These collaborations provide students with a broad range of clinical placements, ensuring a well-rounded professional education in diverse environments.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: USD 21129 per year
• National fee: USD 21129 per year
• Local fee: USD 8628 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include:

• Seminar in Neuropathologies: Aphasia
• Articulation and Phonological Disorders
• Communication Intervention: Infants and Preschoolers
• Developmental Communication Disorders: School Age Issues
• Acquired Neurolinguistic and Cognitive Disorders
• Seminar in Dysphagia
• Communication for Persons Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Seminars in Special Topics: Multicultural Issues
• Fluency Disorders
• Augmentative Communication Systems
• Motor Speech Disorders
• Counseling in Speech-Language Pathology
• Autism and Severe Communicative Disabilities
• Voice Disorders
• Seminar in Clinical Differential Diagnosis
• Beginning Speech-Language Pathology Practicum
• Advanced Clinical Practicum
• Laboratory in Child Speech-Language Pathology Diagnostics
• Laboratory in Adult Speech-Language Pathology Diagnostics
• Measurement and Management of Impaired Hearing
• Community Clinical Practicum
• Speech-Language Pathology Internship

Careers with Communication Science and Disorders

Graduates are prepared for diverse roles as speech-language pathologists in various professional environments. Common settings for employment include public and private schools, where therapists support children with developmental communication needs and literacy challenges.

In the healthcare sector, alumni find opportunities in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, and nursing care facilities. These roles often involve working with adult populations on issues such as acquired neurolinguistic disorders, swallowing difficulties, and cognitive communication impairments.

The programme also equips students for careers in research laboratories, government health agencies, and private practice. Some graduates choose to pursue further doctoral studies to enter academia or lead advanced research initiatives within the field of communication sciences.