2025-2026 University Academic Catalog
Communication Sciences and Disorders
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 Return to: Academic Programs General Information
Dr. Diane Millar, Department Chair
109 Waldron Hall, dcmillar@radford.edu, (540) 831-7635
Mission
In support of Radford University’s commitment to providing students a transformative educational experience within a community of inclusivity and empowerment, the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is committed to cultivating excellence in student-centered learning and engagement. We foster innovative faculty-student collaborations and a supportive environment to inspire student success through a shared vision of inclusiveness and service within the campus community and beyond.
The department offers an accredited graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology and an undergraduate program. At the undergraduate level, the department offers a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
The professional practice of speech-language pathology and/or audiology requires a graduate degree from an accredited program. The department offers Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees at the graduate level. Individuals applying for national certification and state licensure must hold a master’s (or doctoral) degree in the appropriate area of study, meet specific requirements in course work, practicum, and professional experience, and pass a national examination.
In the last year of undergraduate study, students may apply to graduate programs in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology. Completion of an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (COSD) does not guarantee acceptance into a graduate program. Admission into graduate programs is competitive. Graduate school admission requirements and procedures are available in the Radford University Graduate Catalog.
Programs
Professional practice of speech-language pathology and/or audiology requires a graduate degree from an accredited program. At the undergraduate level, the department offers a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. The department offers an accredited graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology and an undergraduate program.
Undergraduate Program
Freshman and Sophomore Years
Students wishing to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (COSD) enter the Waldron College of Health and Human Services as COSD majors. They are advised by an academic advisor in the Highlander Success Center. In their first two years, students typically complete their requirements outside of the major as specified below.
Junior and Senior Years
COSD majors, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 during junior and senior years and repeat any courses for which a non-passing grade is assigned. These students are advised by faculty advisors.
In the last year of undergraduate study, students may apply to graduate programs in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology. Completion of an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (COSD) does not guarantee acceptance into a graduate program. Admission into graduate programs is competitive. Graduate school admission requirements and procedures are available in the Radford University Graduate Catalog.
Graduation with Honors in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Radford University awards two types of Honors degree, Latin Honors and Honors in the Major through the Honors Academy. All COSD undergraduate majors are encouraged to learn about the requirements for these awards and take advantage of the academic opportunities offered through the Honors Academy. A general description of the Honors Academy at Radford University is available in the undergraduate catalog and on online at: http://www.radford.edu/~honors/index.html.
Academic Standards
To graduate with a bachelor’s degree in COSD, students must meet the degree requirements stated in the Academic Policies section of the Radford University Undergraduate Catalog and earn a passing grade in each COSD course. High grade point averages (e.g. >3.50) will facilitate possible admission into graduate programs.
Graduate Program
The department offers Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees at the graduate level. Individuals applying for national certification and state licensure must hold a master’s (or doctoral) degree in the appropriate area of study, meet specific requirements in course work, practicum, and professional experience, and pass a national examination.
Graduate academic coursework and clinical education provide students the opportunity to achieve the knowledge and skills outcomes required for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). This nationally recognized professional credential is issued to individuals who present evidence of their ability to provide independent clinical services to persons who have disorders of communication. Applicants for the CCC-SLP must also submit a passing score on the ASHA-approved national examination in speech-language pathology (Praxis II) and complete a Clinical Fellowship (CF) for 9 months (if full-time) following graduation.
The program’s curriculum provides students the opportunity to meet the requirements of the Virginia Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology for licensure in speech-language pathology. It is the responsibility of the graduate students interested in obtaining licensure in states outside of Virginia to identify the requirements for licensure. Students may find information for all states on the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website: http://www.asha.org/Advocacy/state/.
The program offers either a Master of Science or Master of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, with a concentration in speech-language pathology. A thesis is required for the Master of Arts degree. A final, comprehensive examination is required of all Master of Arts and Master of Science candidates. For Master of Arts candidates, the final comprehensive examination will be an oral defense of the master’s thesis. Master of Science candidates are required to pass a final written comprehensive examination. COSD graduate students are responsible for becoming familiar with and for meeting all stated Academic Policies outlined in this catalog.
Graduate Admission Requirements
Prospective students should complete procedures for graduate student admission as indicated in this catalog, noting the following department-specific requirements for the COSD program:
- A minimum grade point average of 3.0 overall and 3.0 in all major courses
- Submission of an application directly through CSDCAS (https://csdcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login) that includes:
- Academic transcripts
- Personal essay
- Contact information for three references (faculty in students’ major is preferred)
- Completion of Casper, a standardized, multi-part online assessment that measures different competencies and attributes through Acuity Insights (https://acuityinsights.app/casper/)
Students who have not earned an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders must complete supporting coursework in addition to the Required Graduate Core Courses. Students have two options for completing supporting courses. The first option is to complete supporting courses as a non-degree seeking student before applying to the Graduate Program. The second option is to apply for the 3-year leveling track, in which the student will complete supporting courses in their first year after admission to the Graduate Program and prior to the start of graduate coursework; in this case, all supporting courses will appear on the official transcript and will be calculated in the overall graduate grade point average.
ProgramsDegree
*Programs may have different REAL designations based on the concentration(s) selected. Click on the major for more details.
Master’s
A degree represents the academic level of a program and the general category into which it falls. For example: Master of Arts, Master of Science, etc. At Radford University, the term “Arts” in a graduate degree generally implies a language and thesis requirement. The minimum number of semester hours for a Radford University graduate degree is 30.
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