The communication disorders and sciences (CDS) program also offers graduate preparation coursework for students with a previous bachelor’s degree who wish to pursue graduate work in speech pathology or audiology.
By taking the CDS grad preparation courses, students are able to complete prerequisite CDS coursework for entry into an SLP master’s program (required for entry level into the profession) and subsequent national certification/ licensure. Completion of the CDS grad prep courses prepares students for graduate school and generally makes them more appealing to graduate program admissions committees across the country. There is no guarantee that, upon completion of coursework, a student will be admitted to the CDS master’s program.
Graduate prep courses at the University of Oregon are taken through the non-degree seeking program and students do not need to go through the formal University of Oregon admissions process. This is not a degree-granting program; rather it allows students to take up to 8 credits per term during fall, winter, and spring terms and up to 16 credits during summer term.
*Clicking on the CDS grad prep fact sheet button below will download the document to your computer.
Program Plan
Nearly anyone can enroll in regular UO classes through the non-degree seeking program. Formal admission is not required, and you may register for up to 8 credits per term during fall, winter, and spring terms, and more during summer term. By taking certain undergraduate CDS courses through the non-degree seeking program, students complete prerequisite coursework needed for graduate school and certification/licensure without being formally admitted into a degree-granting program.
The following courses are listed as required because they are required by the certification standard for speech language pathology and are the prerequisite courses expected by most graduate programs. Optional courses are typically not required by graduate programs but may help prepare you for graduate school and future clinical experiences.
Please note not all prerequisites in the CDS courses are in place for grad prep students so they can finish their program of study in one year. Specifically, LING 150 is not required prior to CDS 450, and CDS 458 can be taken before CDS 457. However, CDS 442 must be completed prior to CDS 470.
*Clicking on the CDS grad prep schedule of classes and the grad prep course description buttons below will download the documents to your computer.
Fall Term
course and Title | CREDITS |
|---|---|
Required Courses | |
4 | |
4 | |
Optional Courses | |
4 |
Winter Term
course and Title | CREDITS |
|---|---|
Required Courses | |
4 | |
4 | |
Optional Courses | |
4 |
Spring Term
course and Title | CREDITS |
|---|---|
Required Courses | |
4 | |
4 | |
Optional Courses | |
CDS 430 Speech Pathology/Audiology as a Profession (begins clinical observation hours) | 2 |
3 | |
4 |
* CDS Courses are offered one time per year in one section. There are no summer or online courses.
The following non-CDS courses are required for ASHA certification. We recommend that you complete these courses before you enter graduate school. They can be taken at any college/university and may be taken pass/no pass, but must be college level courses (100+ level). One course is required in each of the following subjects:
- Statistics
- Biological Science: one of the following: biology, general anatomy/physiology, neuroanatomy/neurophysiology, or genetics; courses must have a human or animal focus. Courses with a CDS prefix cannot be used to satisfy this requirement.
- Physical Science: one of the following: physics or chemistry
- Behavioral Science: one of the following: psychology, sociology, anthropology, or public health
Additional required courses
In addition to the CDS focused courses, the following non-CDS courses are required for ASHA certification. You should complete these courses before you enter graduate school if not previously completed in your academic career. They can be taken at any college/university and may be taken pass/no pass but must be college level courses (100+ level). One course is required in each of the following subjects:
- Statistics
- Biological Science: one of the following: biology, general anatomy/physiology, neuroanatomy/neurophysiology, or genetics; courses must have a human or animal focus. Courses with a CDS prefix cannot be used to satisfy this requirement.
- Physical Science: one of the following: physics or chemistry
- Social/Behavioral Science: one of the following: psychology, sociology, anthropology, or public health
Please see our Prerequisites FAQ sheet, located on our How to Apply page, for more information about these courses.