FAQ

Undergraduate Program 

Q: What is the undergraduate degree that Armstrong offers?

A: Armstrong offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders through the Program of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSDS) in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences. In order to obtain the Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders in Rehabilitation Sciences, Armstong requires fulfillment in Areas A through F.

Area A: Students are rquired to complete 9 hours of Essentials Skills courses such as English and college algebra.
Area B: Students are required to complete 4-5 hours of Institutional Options which include a variety of ethics and global awareness courses.
Area C: Students are required to complete 6 hours of Humanities and Fine Arts courses which include various language, music, and theatre courses.
Area D: Students are required to complete 10-11 hours in the areas of Science, Math and Technology. CSDS students must take biology and statistics in this area.
Area E: Students are required to complete 12 hours of Social Sciences such as history and sociology. CSDS students must take psychology in this area.
Area F: Students are required to complete 18 hours of coursework related to communication sciences and disorders.
Physical Education: Students are required to complete 3 hours of physical education coursework.

Major courses: Students must complete 39 hours of courses in the major related specifically to communciation sciences and disorders, as well as 9 hours of related field courses and 12 hours of electives. 

The Bachelor of Science is CSDS consists of a total of 123 credit hours. The specific course schedule may vary somewhat among individual students and will be determined through required advisement meetings with CSDS faculty.

Graduate Program 

 Q: What is the minimum undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) needed to apply to the undergraduate major?                               

 A: There is currently no minimum undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) needed to apply to the undergraduate major. However, a master’s degree is required to practice as a speech-language pathologist and a professional doctorate degree is required to practice as an audiologist. Graduate programs generally will not accept students who have less than a 3.0 grade point average for all college courses.
 
 
Q: What is the graduate degree that Armstrong Offers?
A: The Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders offers a Master of Sciences degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a major in Speech-Language Pathology. The speech-language pathology graduate degree program is designed to lead to professional licensure by the State of Georgia in Speech-Language Pathology as well as Certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
 
Q: Is the graduate program accredited?
A: The graduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) in Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
 
Q: Is Armstrong on the quarter or semester system?
A: Armstrong is currently on the semester system.
 
Q: How long does it normally take to complete the graduate program?
A: The Armstrong Communication Sciences and Disorders Graduate program typically takes 5 semesters to complete. The students will begin in the Fall and then continue taking courses for Spring, Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters.
 
Q: What if my bachelor’s degree is in another field?
A: Students with a strong academic record in another field are encouraged to apply to the Communication Sciences and Disorders Graduate Program. In order to apply, students must take foundation courses not completed in their undergraduate program and 18 hours of prerequisite coursework related to speech and hearing. The foundation courses (section III-A only of the KASA—see link on the website) include courses in biological sciences, physical sciences, college algebra or statistics and the social/behavioral sciences. Students are also required to complete 18 hours of coursework to include the following courses (or equivalent as determined by Armstrong communication sciences and disorders program faculty): Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders, Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing mechanism, Phonetics, Normal Speech and Language Development, Introduction to Audiology, and Language Disorders. The foundation and prerequisite courses do not all need to be taken before applying to graduate school, however, all required prerequisite coursework must be completed or in progress when the application is submitted. Students who plan to apply to multiple graduate programs should review the prerequisite courses for each Graduate Program.
 
http://www.armstrong.edu/Health_Professions/Communication_Sciences_Disorders/csd_graduate_admission_information
 
 
Q: What is the application process for the graduate program?
A:  Armstrong is only admitting Graduate students for the fall semester, and does not offer rolling admissions.
 
·        For fall admission, the student application must be mailed to the Armstrong Atlantic State University Graduate School by February 15th. A non-refundable application fee of $30 (payable to the Armstrong Atlantic State University) must accompany the application packet.
·        The contents of the application packet include: Letter of Intent, Resume (optional), (3) letters of recommendation, Kasa--Section IIIA, official GRE scores, Armstrong Graduate School application, and communication sciences & disorders graduate program application.
·        Students will turn in proof of 25 observation hours of clinical speech-language pathology(signed by a certified speech-language pathologist), proof of professional liability insurance, CPR/First Aid training certification, a background check, and health insurance documentation on the first day of orientation.
·        Original official transcripts from each university attended, regardless of length of attendance or number of credits, are to be sent directly to The Graduate Enrollment Office / 11935 Abercorn Street / Savannah, GA / 31419
 
The initial review process for completed files begins in February and takes approximately 6-8 weeks.  Admission decisions will be made in writing only.
 
Q: Where do I send my college transcripts?
A: Two official college transcripts from all colleges attended should be submitted in sealed envelopes to:
 
The Graduate Enrollment Office / 11935 Abercorn Street / Savannah, GA / 31419
 
Q: When is the application deadline?
A: Application files for fall semester admissions must be completed with the above requirements postmarked by February 15th.
 
Q: What are the Grade Point Average (GPA) requirements?
A: A minimum GPA of 3.0 from all college level classes is required. However, it should also be noted that students are admitted to the graduate program on a competitive basis and overall GPA is given strong consideration.
 
Q: Where do I register for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)?
A: Go to: http://www.gre.org
A: Register for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General test.
 
Q: What are the GRE requirements?
A: Both the old and new GRE scores will be accepted. The minimum acceptable level on the old version is 450 on the Verbal and Quantitative sections/ 4.0 on the reasoning section. A 3.0 minimum overall undergraduate grade point average is required. Concordance tables for old scores (200-800) and new scores (130-170) will be used so that the published preferred GRE score for admission will not change. In early November 2011, concordance tables that show the relationship between the scores on the prior and new Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning score scales will be available at http://www.ets.org/gre/revised/scores/understand.
 
Q: How many observation hours are needed and can I get all of the hours by observing at the same place with the same person?
A: Students need 25 hours of observation from a variety of different sites. Only speech-language pathologists and audiologists who are ASHA Certified can supervise, approve, and sign your observation hours form.
 
Q: Is financial aid available?
A:There is unfortunately limited funding available for students. In order to be eligible for financial aid, students must be enrolled full-time.  One option that students may look into is the McCormick Scholarship. You can obtain further information about the McCormick Scholarship and other questions regarding financial aid at the website listed below:
 
http://www.armstrong.edu/Departments/financial_aid/finaid_welcome
 
Q: How many students are in the graduate program?
A: The number of applicants varies from year to year but it is anticipated to increase. Armstrong is expecting to have a Graduate Program class of 18 students in fall 2012.
 
Q: How often are students in clinical practicum sites during graduate school and what sites are available?
A: There are several clinical opportunities provided to students in their years of study on and off campus. Graduate students participate in a wide variety of clinical opportunities at a variety of practicum sites including: schools, pediatric hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, nursing homes, long term care facilities, non-profit clinics, private practices and the Armstrong RiteCare center. It should be noted that the placement options change from semester to semester.
 
Q: What time of day is Clinic held?
A:  During the first year of graduate school, students are assigned clients in the university clinic (RiteCare Center at Armstrong). The clinic runs during normal business hours Monday through Friday and students can expect to have variable clinic hours during the day. During the second year of graduate school, students are assigned to off-site/external clinical practicum in the community. These clinical placements usually run all day Monday-Friday.
 
 
Q: What time of day are the graduate classes held?
A: Most graduate coursework is offered between 9:00 AM and 7:30 PM on Monday-Thursday. The schedule changes from semester-to-semester and students should not expect the same time and day schedule of courses for each semester.
 
Q: Can I work full-time or part-time during the graduate program?
A: Students cannot work a full-time job during the 2 years of the graduate program.  Besides 12 hours of coursework per semester, students are also in clinical practicum assignments. It is recommended for those students who are working part-time to have a job with flexible hours, which can be changed when needed.
 
Q: Do I need to have perfect English pronunciation in order to apply to the graduate program?
A: The program policy regarding the speech-language competence of students in the program is consistent with the Technical Report issued by the American Speech Language and Hearing Association. All students, as do all speakers, speak with an accent and/or dialect. To ensure the equitable treatment of all students in the program, all students regardless of accent or dialect must be able to model the sounds and grammar of standard or mainstream English.
 
Q: Will I be able to book a vacation for December, spring break week or summer now?  What dates will I not be in school or practicum?
A:   Hours are specific to each of the practicum sites, and students should not schedule a vacation without talking with professors to determine the schedule for the final examination, the practicum coordinator, and practicum site supervisor. 
 
Q: When can I visit the Armstrong graduate program in speech-language pathology?
A: A graduate school presentation for prospective students will be offered on the first Friday of the month at 10:00 AM beginning in November through May. Please call the program desk to reserve a place in the program. Individual meetings can be requested depending on the availability of the Communication Sciences & Disorders faculty. Please contact the following number for further information: 912.344.2969