Overview
We offer both Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees. Students who complete a master’s thesis are potentially eligible for the MS degree.
The program offers two specializations: speech-language pathology and audiology. A speech language pathologist deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide range of primarily expressive communication disorders, including the identification, diagnosis, and rehabilitation of speech, language, and swallowing dysfunction. An audiologist deals primarily with receptive communication disorders, especially the prevention, identification, and measurement of hearing loss and the rehabilitation of individuals with hearing impairments, as well as the assessment of balance disorders.
Both tracks of the communication science and disorders curriculum exceed the academic and clinical standards established by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the organization that certifies our training program.
Entry-level students (with a baccalaureate degree in communication science and disorders) will complete two years of study (6 trimesters, 64 credits), including meeting all requirements for the master’s degree and state licensure—as well as all clinical practicum requirements for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in speech-language-pathology.
However, interested applicants are strongly encouraged to seek the doctoral degree in audiology (AuD). Otherwise, interested applicants should consider the master’s program in audiology with thesis option.
The Pitt Freshman Guarantee
Entering freshmen may qualify for a guarantee into the graduate programs in speech-language pathology and audiology. Qualifying students will meet the following criteria: SAT scores of 1300 or an ACT test result of 29 or better.
Guaranteed students must maintain a quality point average (QPA) of 3.3 or better and meet all graduate admission requirements. For consideration, indicate an intended field of study in Pre-communication Science on your application when applying to Pitt as a freshman (at regional Pitt campuses, choose corresponding codes).
Students enrolled in the communication science and disorders program may qualify for an early review and decision process for admission into the graduate programs in speech-language pathology (MA/MS) and audiology (AuD).
Eligible students must have a minimum overall undergraduate QPA of 3.3, minimum QPA of 3.3 in the major courses, and must meet all other admission criteria for the graduate programs.
Handbooks
MA/MS and AuD Academic Student Handbook
For more information, please contact our admissions director:
E-mail: csdamissions@shrs.pitt.edu
Phone: (412)383-6540