MA Communication Sciences

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Case Western Reserve University

Program Overview

The Master of Arts in Communication Sciences at Case Western Reserve University prepares students to become skilled speech-language pathologists and clinician-researchers who can assess, diagnose, and treat communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan. The programme combines advanced studies in speech, language, neuroscience, and clinical practice with extensive supervised training, helping students develop the expertise to work with children, adults, and individuals experiencing communication difficulties in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centres, and private clinics.

Curriculum Structure

The programme requires a minimum of 47 graduate credit hours for the meta-analysis pathway and 51 credit hours for the thesis pathway. It is designed as a full-time, five-semester programme that combines academic coursework, clinical practicums, collaborative healthcare experiences, and independent research or a comprehensive meta-analysis project.

Year 1: Students establish a strong foundation in communication sciences and clinical practice through courses such as Neuroscience of Communication and Communication Disorders, Fluency Disorders, Articulation and Phonology Disorders, and Acquired Neurogenic Communication Disorders. These subjects help students understand the neurological, developmental, and physical factors affecting speech and communication. During the spring semester, they study Evidence-Based Practice, Acquired Adult Language and Cognitive Disorders, Medical Aspects of Speech Pathology III: Dysphagia, and Language Disorders 1: Birth to Five. Students also complete Graduate Clinical Practicum I and II, gaining supervised experience in assessing and supporting individuals with different communication and swallowing difficulties.

Year 2: Students advance their specialist knowledge through courses such as Language Disorders 2: Language and Literacy, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Medical Aspects of Speech Pathology I: Voice Disorders, and Medical Aspects of Speech Pathology II: Neuromotor and Craniofacial Disorders. They also study Medical Aspects of Speech Pathology IV: Pediatric Dysphagia, developing the skills needed to support children with feeding and swallowing difficulties. Clinical Practicum III and V provide further supervised experience with different patient populations and clinical conditions. Students following the meta-analysis pathway complete a Meta-Analysis Workshop and associated research project, while thesis-track students undertake independent research and complete a master's thesis with an oral defence.

Focus Areas

Speech Sound and Articulation Disorders
Phonology and Fluency Disorders
Child Language Development and Disorders
Adult Language and Cognitive Disorders
Acquired Neurogenic Communication Disorders
Neuroscience of Communication
Voice and Upper Airway Disorders
Dysphagia and Swallowing Disorders
Neuromotor and Craniofacial Disorders
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Evidence-Based Clinical Practice
Speech-Language Pathology Research

Learning Outcomes

Students develop the ability to assess and diagnose speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice, fluency, and swallowing disorders across different age groups. They learn to develop individualised treatment plans, apply evidence-based clinical approaches, understand the neurological and physiological foundations of communication, use alternative communication methods, collaborate with healthcare professionals, and conduct research to improve clinical practice. The programme also emphasises ethical responsibilities, cultural awareness, professional communication, and patient-centred care.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Master of Arts education programme in Speech-Language Pathology at Case Western Reserve University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Graduates who successfully complete the programme meet the academic and clinical education requirements to become eligible for the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) and Ohio professional licensure, subject to completing the remaining certification and licensure requirements. The programme requires at least 375 clock hours of supervised clinical practicum as part of its graduate training.

Reputation (Employability and Rankings)

Case Western Reserve University offers a clinically focused graduate education supported by experienced faculty, small class sizes, and clinical partnerships throughout Greater Cleveland. Its Communication Sciences programme provides access to hospitals, rehabilitation centres, schools, and specialist clinics, helping students develop professional experience across different clinical environments. The university also highlights the growing demand for speech-language pathology professionals and the range of career opportunities available in healthcare, education, and research.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain extensive practical experience through supervised clinical training, patient assessments, treatment sessions, interprofessional education, and external clinical placements. Case Western Reserve University provides access to specialist clinical facilities and partnerships with hospitals, rehabilitation centres, and community organisations throughout Greater Cleveland. Students work with experienced speech-language pathologists and audiologists, gaining exposure to a wide range of communication disorders while developing the professional skills required for independent clinical practice.

Key experiential learning opportunities and resources include:

Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center (CHSC): Students begin their clinical training at this specialist centre, working under the supervision of practising speech-language pathologists and audiologists. They gain experience through specialised programmes involving children and adults with communication disorders. The centre serves approximately 25,000 clients annually.
CWRU PSSC Clinic – SpeakEasy Programme: Students work with adults experiencing acquired neurogenic communication disorders resulting from conditions such as strokes, head injuries, and neurological diseases. They assist with communication support, therapeutic activities, and group-based interaction. The programme welcomes nearly 35 participants each week.
Clinical Externships: Students complete placements at a minimum of two different external clinical sites across Greater Cleveland. These experiences expose them to different patient populations, treatment environments, and professional approaches.
Hospital and Rehabilitation Placements: Clinical training opportunities include placements at Cleveland Clinic Hospitals, Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation, Akron Children's Hospital, and other affiliated facilities.
Interprofessional Education: Students participate in collaborative learning activities on the Health Education Campus alongside medical, dental, nursing, social work, physician assistant, nutrition, and genetic counselling students. This helps them understand multidisciplinary patient care.
HoloLens and HoloAnatomy: Students use Microsoft HoloLens and HoloAnatomy technology to explore human anatomy through interactive three-dimensional visualisation, supporting their understanding of the anatomical structures involved in speech, hearing, and swallowing.
IDDSI Practical Training: Students participate in hands-on testing using the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework, developing practical knowledge of food and liquid consistency for individuals with swallowing difficulties.
Medical and Clinical Training: Students gain experience in evaluating and supporting individuals with aphasia, dysphagia, fluency disorders, voice conditions, childhood language disorders, and other communication challenges.
Meta-Analysis Research Project: Students following the non-thesis pathway complete a meta-analysis project and present their findings, developing skills in scientific literature evaluation, research synthesis, and evidence-based clinical decision-making.
Master's Thesis Research: Students selecting the thesis pathway undertake supervised independent research, complete six thesis credit hours, and defend their work through an oral examination.
Faculty-Supervised Research: Small class sizes and regular faculty interaction provide opportunities to participate in research activities and develop specialised knowledge in speech-language pathology.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the M.A. in Communication Sciences can pursue professional careers in speech-language pathology across healthcare, education, rehabilitation, and community-based services. The programme combines extensive clinical training with research and interdisciplinary healthcare experience, preparing graduates to support individuals with speech, language, cognitive, voice, and swallowing disorders. Potential career roles include speech-language pathologist, paediatric speech-language pathologist, medical speech-language pathologist, rehabilitation speech therapist, and clinical research specialist.

Students can strengthen their career prospects through the following opportunities:

Clinical Career Preparation: Supervised training at the Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center and affiliated facilities helps students develop the clinical competencies required for professional speech-language pathology practice.
Hospital and Healthcare Exposure: Clinical placements at Cleveland Clinic facilities and Akron Children's Hospital provide experience with patients experiencing neurological, developmental, and medical communication disorders.
Community-Based Experience: The SpeakEasy programme offers opportunities to work with adults experiencing acquired neurogenic communication disorders, helping students develop skills in rehabilitation and community-based communication support.
Interprofessional Collaboration: Working alongside medical, dental, nursing, social work, and other healthcare students prepares graduates to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
Professional Certification: The programme's CAA accreditation provides the academic and clinical foundation for pursuing ASHA's Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP), subject to completion of the required examinations, clinical fellowship, and other certification requirements.
Employment Opportunities: Graduates can pursue positions in hospitals, public and private schools, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centres, nursing homes, special education facilities, private practices, and nonprofit organisations.
Specialist Clinical Development: The curriculum provides opportunities to develop expertise in areas such as aphasia, dysphagia, voice disorders, paediatric communication, fluency disorders, and augmentative and alternative communication.
Research and Academic Experience: The thesis and meta-analysis pathways help students develop research skills that can support future opportunities in clinical research, university teaching, and doctoral education.

Employment and Salary Information: The university identifies a wide range of employment settings for graduates, including universities, hospitals, schools, private practices, nursing homes, rehabilitation centres, and nonprofit organisations. However, a specific programme-level graduate employment rate or salary figure was not identified in the official university information.

Further Academic Progression:

Students interested in advanced research, university teaching, or specialised clinical investigation can pursue a Ph.D. in Communication Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. The doctoral programme offers research concentrations in Auditory Perception, Neurogenic Communication Disorders, Neurophysiology of Swallowing and Communication, and Child Language Disorders. Graduates can also explore doctoral opportunities in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Speech-Language Pathology, Neuroscience, Rehabilitation Sciences, and related healthcare disciplines at other universities.