Clinical and Developmental Sciences

The School of Clinical and Developmental Sciences offers graduate programs leading to the M.S. in applied human development and family sciences (with the option of specializations in marriage and family therapy or leadership in aging studies), the M.A. in communicative disorders specializations in audiology, M.A. in speech language pathology, and the doctor of audiology (Au.D.),. The school prepares professionals who support families and individuals in meeting their basic human needs. The programs are based on an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on the behavioral sciences, natural sciences, and the humanities. Students learn theories and their application to professions in nonprofit organizations, private practice, government, education, and business. Graduates have the necessary foundation for a career as well as further study.

The M.A. in speech-language pathology is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The program of study is designed to meet the minimum academic and clinical requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, state licensure, and school licensure.

The Au.D. is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The program of study is designed to meet the minimum academic and clinical requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and state licensure.

The Marriage and Family Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education. The program of study meets the academic and clinical requirements for Illinois state licensure.

A student pursuing an advanced degree in the School of Clinical and Developmental Sciences is expected to meet the requirements of a major area. Deficiencies in the major area at the undergraduate level will be determined by a committee of graduate faculty and must be removed as directed by the committee. Transcripts of all post-secondary course work should accompany the Graduate School application.

Students-at-large intending to take courses required by the programs in applied human development and family sciences should meet with the appropriate program coordinator.

Admission requirements and information regarding notification of a decision on admission are indicated below for each area of study. Prior to initial registration, each student planning a major in family and consumer sciences should confer with the graduate advisor.

Policy on Dismissal

Students must make satisfactory progress in college programs to be allowed to continue and can be dismissed from the program or a class for academic reasons, behavior not accepted in the profession, or actions that threaten the health and safety of others. It is the responsibility of students to secure a copy of the dismissal policy from the program. The Graduate Student Handbook contains additional policies related to dismissal from the program.

Comprehensive Examination

Students choosing a non-thesis option will fulfill the comprehensive examination requirement by successfully completing a proctored essay examination or an oral examination, depending upon the academic program. Students either choosing the thesis option or who are in a program with a required thesis fulfill the comprehensive examination requirement through the successful oral thesis defense and acceptance of the thesis by the Graduate School. Students must be enrolled in the term in which the comprehensive examination is taken.

Master of Arts (M.A.)
Communicative Disorders specialization in Audiology
Speech-Language Pathology

Master of Science
Applied Human Development and Family Sciences
    With or without a specialization in
         Leadership in Aging Services
         Marriage and Family Therapy

Certificates of Graduate Study
Family and Child Development

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
Leadership in Aging Studies

Doctorate Programs

Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.)