The MA program (thesis or non-thesis) provides students with the academic and clinical training associated with the delivery of high quality services in the area of speech-language pathology. Our program extends over a two-year period for regular, full-time students (September entry only). Supervision of clinical practicum is accomplished by experienced clinical faculty and a faculty-student ratio that permits considerable individual attention. In addition to weekly observations of the student’s practicum, the supervisor and student have one-hour meetings each week to discuss various aspects of the student’s clinical work. Clinical practicum experiences are provided in a variety of settings, with individuals across the lifespan who have a wide range of communication disorders. The Conley Speech, Language and Hearing Center is the primary facility where students obtain their first clinical experiences. Additional clinical placements are in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, public and private schools, and community speech and hearing centers. The program welcomes applications from students whose undergraduate background does not include coursework in communication sciences and disorders. These students are admitted on a Provisional basis, and complete undergraduate prerequisite courses (along with some graduate courses) during the first year of the graduate program. The Master’s program at the University of Maine is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. Applicants who wish to be considered for Fall admission must have their completed application submitted by January 15. Applicants are typically notified of a decision in early March.

A complete application includes:

• Graduate School Application form (online),
• transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework,
• letters of recommendation from three persons familiar with your academic and/or clinical abilities (preferably from professors with whom you have taken multiple courses), and
• official GRE scores.

Applicants are responsible for monitoring the completion of their application by the above deadline.

Financial Information

In addition to University fellowships and scholarships listed elsewhere in this catalog, graduate students in Communication Sciences and Disorders may also apply for graduate assistantships, pending the availability of funds. Assistantships include a partial tuition waiver and a monthly stipend. Applicants interested in assistantships are invited to apply once they are admitted to the graduate program. Additional information about the graduate program can be obtained from the department located in Dunn Hall (Mailing address, 5724 Dunn Hall, Orono, ME 04469-5724, web site: https://umaine.edu/comscidis/graduate-information/)

Graduate Faculty

Amy E. Booth, MA, CCC-A (Kent State University, 1987), Lecturer & Staff Audiologist. Audiological assessment, hearing aid fitting, hearing impairment, aural rehabilitation.

Christopher M. Grindrod, PhD (McGill University, 2004). Assistant Professor & Graduate Coordinator. Aphasia, neurogenic communication disorders, neurolinguistics.

Nancy E. Hall, PhD, CCC-SLP (Case Western Reserve University, 1992), Professor & Department Chair. Fluency disorders, developmental language disorders.

Paige A. Lane, MA, CCC-SLP (University of Cincinnati, 2001). Lecturer & Staff Speech-Language Pathologist. Early intervention, school-based therapy.

Jessica Lewis, MA, CCC-SLP (University of Maine, 2004). Lecturer & Staff Speech-Language Pathologist. Augmentative and alternative communication, school-based therapy.

Jane Puhlman, PhD, CCC-SLP (Florida State University, 2015). Assistant Professor. Child language disorders.

MaryBeth Richards, MA, CCC-SLP (Marquette University, 1989). Lecturer & Staff Speech-Language Pathologist. Telepractice delivery of speech-language therapy.

Jennifer M. Seale, PhD, CCC-SLP (State University of New York at Buffalo, 2016). Assistant Professor. Augmentative and alternative communication.

Judith L. Stickles, MA, CCC-SLP (University of Maine, 1982). Lecturer, Staff Speech-Language Pathologist & Clinic Director. Language and literacy development, school-based therapy.

Judy P. Walker, PhD, CCC-SLP (University of Massachusetts at Amherst, 1994). Associate Professor. Aphasia, telepractice delivery of speech-language therapy.

External Faculty

Lori Edwards, MS, CCC-SLP (Northeastern University). Swallowing disorders, motor speech disorders.

Michael Towey, MA, CCC-SLP (University of Maine). Voice disorders.

Program Requirements in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Core Course Work (44 credits)

• CSD 581 - Articulation and Phonology Disorders (3 credits)
• CSD 582 - Voice Disorders (3 credits)
• CSD 583 - Fluency Disorders (3 credits)
• CSD 584 - Language Disorders in Children: Preschool (3 credits)
• CSD 585 - Language Disorders in Children: School-Age (3 credits)
• CSD 588 - Aural Rehabilitation (3 credits)
• CSD 601 - Seminar in Research Methods (3)
• CSD 682 - Current Issues in Aphasia, Right Hemisphere Deficits and Dementia (3 credits)
• CSD 683 - Seminar in Clinical Procedures (1 credit)
• CSD 684 - Seminar in Clinical Procedures II (1 credit)
• CSD 685 - Diagnostic Process in Speech-Language Pathology (3 credits)
• CSD 686 - Clinical Practicum
• Audiology (1 credit)
  Speech-Language Pathology (5 credits)
• CSD 687 - Swallowing Disorders (3 credits)
• CSD 688 - Neurocognitive Disorders in Adults (3 credits)
• CSD 689 - Motor Speech Disorders (3 credits)

Additional Course Work (6 credits)

In addition to the core course work, non-thesis students must complete six credits in elective graduate courses from the department or related disciplines, such as Education, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Nursing, Gerontology, and Special Education. These courses must be approved by the student’s advisory committee. Thesis students will take six credits of CSD 699 instead (see below).

Department policies concerning residency requirements and other matters pertaining to part-time students will be those policies in effect when the student begins his/her program or subsequent policies if elected by the student.

Non-Thesis Option

In addition to the course work outlined above, non-thesis students must pass a comprehensive examination. More detailed information on the preparation, procedures and evaluation of the comprehensive examination are available in the department’s Graduate Program Handbook.

Thesis Option

Students electing a thesis option must enroll for thesis credits (CSD 699, minimum six credits required). A thesis prospectus must be approved by the student’s Advisory Committee prior to undertaking the research. After the thesis is completed, the student defends the research in an oral examination.

• CSD 699 - Graduate Thesis/Research (6 credits)