The Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) is nationally accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). It is a 44 to 46 semester-hour program in speech-language pathology, requiring completion of either a thesis or a research project, and a minimum of an 8-week full-time internship. CSD graduate students undertake advanced coursework and an extensive clinical practicum. Graduate classes average 20 students. Practicum experiences include the Western Illinois University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, off-campus hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and rehabilitation centers. Clients represent various ages and a variety of speech, language, and hearing disorders.
All CSD faculty members hold ASHA certification and Illinois State licensure in their respective disciplines. They engage in research; serve in professional organizations at the state, national, and international levels; present at professional meetings; publish in scholarly journals; and serve as editorial consultants for those journals.
Speech-language pathology ranks among the top ten professions in providing jobs for the 21st century. Western graduates pursue careers in education, government and private agencies, business, and industry, while others go on to Further graduate study.