Graduate Course Requirements

Degree Requirements

• Students are required to enroll in CSD 516 Advanced Clinical Practicum every semester of enrollment until all required clinical clock hours (400) are completed for ASHA certification.
• Students will not be permitted to graduate until all clinical clock hours have been obtained and approved through the Director of Clinical Services and Program Director.
• For a detailed degree requirement list please see the Graduate Catalog

Speech, Language and Hearing Screening

• CSD students must take and pass a speech-language-hearing screening examination during their first semester. The purpose of this screening is to identify any speech, language or hearing problem that may interfere with a students' academic or clinical progression in the Program.
• Students must demonstrate the ability to speak Standard American English intelligibly including modeling of all English phonemes.
• Students will be enrolled in the AAMU Speech and Hearing Clinic free of charge if test results deem intervention necessary.

Fingerprinting/Background Check

• Graduate students enrolled in the CSD Program will, in their first semester, undergo a criminal background check which includes fingerprinting and a check of national and state criminal databases.
• Fingerprint/Background Checks is a requirement for all individuals in the School of Education including CSD students.
• Cogent Systems is the company that has been selected by the University to conduct the necessary fingerprint background checks.
• Evidence of cleared background checks must be submitted to the Director of Clinical Services by the due dates listed below.
• Practicum students are responsible for the cost and completion of the background checks.
• All practicum students must first apply online with Cogent, pay the fee and obtain a registration identification number. Keep this registration number in a safe place, as it will be needed to be presented at the designated fingerprinting center indicated on line.
• Cost of the process is about $55 (subject to change).
• Practicum students may learn more about the fingerprinting process and identify fingerprint location in their area via the Cogent Systems web site (under “Registration”).
• https://www.aps.gemalto.com/al/index_adeNew.htm
• Additional Cogent System contact information is as follows:

Cogent Systems/ALSDE Cards Scan
5450 Frantz Road Suite 250
Dublin, OH 43016
Phone: 866-989-9316.

Advising

• Each student's program is planned with the guidance of, and in consultation with, a departmental advisor in the area of CSD.
• The department does not take responsibility for courses taken without departmental advisement and approval.
• A copy of the program of study can be obtained from the department.
• Decisions on clinical/academic performance and possible termination of students from the program will be based on factors such as course grades, demonstrated clinical competence, and personality/disposition factors.

Praxis

• All candidates must pass, with a score of 162 or above, the National Examination in Speech-Language Pathology (Praxis) to fulfill the requirements for graduation.
• The Praxis examination is used in lieu of the graduate comprehensive examination.

The University must receive evidence of a passing test score before the official date of the comprehensive exam within the final semester of registered enrollment.