One of the distinguishing features of our graduate program is the opportunity to choose a unique elective course. These electives allow students to explore specialized areas of speech-language pathology practice, expand their knowledge beyond the core curriculum, and tailor their educational experience to support their professional goals.
Students select their elective during their first semester. Because enrollment in each elective is limited, students are encouraged to carefully consider their interests and career goals when making their selection. Students who choose the thesis degree plan do not complete one of the program's elective options, as the thesis fulfills that specialized component of the degree.
Electives
We currently have four unique electives.
Autism
The Autism Elective at Texas State provides students with:
- Offers a specialized coursework in the treatment and assessment of individuals of the autism spectrum.
- CDIS 5392-Evidence-Based Practice in Autism.
- Assessment & intervention experiences serving persons on the autism spectrum.
- High quality, evidence-based academic and clinical training.*
- Evidence based research experiences for graduate students.
Bilingual
The Bilingual Elective provides students with:
- Offers a specialized coursework in the treatment and assessment of bilingual individuals.
- CDIS 5391 - Evidence Practice in Second Language Acquisition
- Multi-faceted exposure to and experiences with clinical bilingual issues including populations other than Spanish-English bilinguals.
- Interaction with bilingual speech-language pathologists currently serving populations from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
- Community involvement through Bilingual Interest Group student organization providing resources to underserved populations.*
Neurogenic, Voice & Swallowing
The Neurogenic, Voice & Swallowing Elective provides students with:
- A focused study in the treatment and assessment of individuals with medical-based communication/swallowing impairments.
- CDIS 5394 - Evidence-Based Practice in Neurogenic, Voice, & Swallowing
- Hands-on experience with instrumentation related to the assessment of individuals with communication/swallowing impairments.*
Versatility in Practice
The Versatility in Practice Elective provides students with:
- A focused study in the treatment and assessment of individuals with varied speech and language disorders throughout the lifespan, specific topics driven by student interests.
- CDIS 5395 - Evidence-Based Practice in Communication Disorders Across the Lifespan
*Additional clinical and service learning, opportunities are open to all students irrespective of elective.
The Master of Science in Communication Disorders (MSCD) and the Master of Arts (MA) in Communication Disorders residential education programs in speech-language pathology at Texas State University are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.