M.A. Communication Sciences and Disorders
For those who are interested in becoming a speech-language pathologist
Our Master of Arts in Communications Sciences and Disorders offers a comprehensive academic and clinical education.
This full-time, campus based (residential)*, five semester program program combines active classroom-based learning with an assortment of evidence-based, “hands on” learning opportunities at the many clinical practicum sites available on or near the University of Florida campus. Graduates of our program can expect to develop the knowledge and skills that are needed to deliver evidence-based clinical services to a wide range of populations in a variety of clinical settings.
- Clinical Practicum Sites
- Essential Functions for Clinical Practice
- Requirements for Licensure
- Typical Program of Study for M.A. Program
*Note – There is not a distance learning option for the M.A. education program in Communication Sciences & Disorders.
Program mission
The mission of the M.A. education program in Communication Sciences and Disorders is to prepare students to become speech-language pathologists who work to preserve, promote, and improve the functioning and general well-being of individuals who wish to improve functioning in the areas of communication and swallowing.
- The goal of our program is to prepare professionals who are well qualified for employment in a range of education- and health-related settings and who, once employed, are recognized for their competence, leadership, ethics, and commitment to service and life-long learning. Our program strives to attain this goal by developing students who can independently design and deliver effective, culturally sensitive, and evidenced-based clinical services to individuals with differences or disorders in communication and swallowing. Toward this end, our program strives to provide students with a high-quality academic and clinical experience that is directed by an internationally recognized faculty and based upon cutting-edge research, active learning, expert mentoring, and spirited engagement in service activities.
Our program primarily is oriented toward developing students’ clinical competence; however, our students also have access to a range of opportunities for developing skills in basic and applied research. Students who elect to enter the thesis track of the program conduct original research in laboratory and real-world settings under the mentorship of faculty who are widely recognized for their research accomplishments.
The M.A. program is designed to be a full-time program that spans 5 semesters. Our primary academic classes usually have enrollments of 25 to 30 students. This means that students can expect to have ample access to our professors and clinical educators. We have included an ample amount of information about our program in this section of our website; however, for additional details about the program, please consult the “EdFind” database on the website of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Get more information about graduate admissions.
Student achievement
The student achievement outcomes described below are for the M.A. education program in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and are reported as averages over a three-year span based on combined data from the 2022-2023, 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 academic years.
- Program completion rates
In the reporting period, 93 students completed the program, and 91 of them did so in the expected time frame. Thus, the three-year average for completing the program in the expected time frame is 97.8%. - Praxis exam pass rates
In the reporting period, 93 students reported Praxis examination results to the program. Of the 93 students, 89 attained passing scores on their first attempt at the Exam, and 91 passed the exam on a subsequent attempt. Thus, the three-year average for passing the Praxis is 98%. The average score for all test-takers’ first attempts on the examination was 174. - Employment rates in the profession
In the reporting period, employment information was available for 88 graduates of the program. All of these graduates, 86 reported being employed as a speech-language pathologist. Thus, the three-year average for employment in the profession is 97.7%.
Master’s Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders: Student Outcome Data
Program news
Tracy Centanni discusses vagus nerve therapies with the New York Times.
College of Public Health and Health Professions students are dedicated to improving health and well-being in communities around the world.
Faculty and students deliver comfort to patients through hand-crafted symbols.
Laurie Gauger, Molly Jacobs and Alexandra Rodriguez received college and university honors.
Accreditation
The Master of Arts (M.A.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) and the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) education program in audiology (residential) at The University of Florida is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
Contact us!
If you have questions about the Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders program at the University of Florida, please email us and we’d be happy to help.