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3. CD Student Population
• There are approximately 160 students enrolled in the CD Program – 80 undergraduates and 80 graduate students.

4. SLP Course Sequence
• All of the undergraduate courses and graduate courses in SLP are offered once per year. The classes are arranged in a yearly sequence so that fall semester courses are prerequisites for spring semester courses. Second year undergraduate/ graduate courses require completion of the first year coursework. Therefore, it is very difficult to enter the CD program in the spring semester without prior coursework in CD.

5. CD ADVISORS
• All students are advised every semester regarding the upcoming semester (coursework and clinical practica). The advisors for undergraduate and graduate students are Drs. Laura Epstein, Minnie Graham, and Nancy Robinson. Advising week is announced in classes and information bulletins are posted near the CD office (BH 113).

6. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
• The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is our national organization. The Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) is the accrediting agency for CD programs throughout the United States. Upon completion of the master’s degree, you will be eligible for the Certification of Clinical Competence (CCC) in SLP through ASHA. Although not a legal requirement in the State of California, ASHA certification is recognized by employers throughout the nation as a symbol of professional training and competence, particularly for SLPs. ASHA’s website is: http://www.asha.org.

7. ASHA REQUIREMENTS
• Current ASHA guidelines (2005 standards) require graduate students to take a minimum of 75 semester credit units of coursework, of which 36 must be in graduate courses. A minimum of 400 supervised contact hours in a minimum of three types of clinical settings serving adults and children with a variety of communicative disorders. CD students provide services to clients in the CD Clinic here on campus, at public school sites, and in Bay Area hospitals and community clinics. To meet ASHA standards and move through the master’s program within 2 years, SLP graduate students must take a clinic every semester of their enrollment in the CD program. Sometimes this means taking a clinic during the summer semester.

8. CLINICAL FELLOWSHIP EXPERIENCE
• ASHA requires that, after graduation, the individual undergo a clinical fellowship (CF) experience, in which he or she is employed while being supervised by someone who holds ASHA certification. Upon completion of the CF experience, coupled with state licensure, the individual can practice independently.

9. CALIFORNIA STATE LICENSE
• The practice of SLP in the State of California requires a license issued by the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board (SLPAB). Exempt settings are public schools and federal agencies. The academic and clinical requirements for state licensure essentially parallel those for ASHA certification. Following graduation, the individual undergoes a Required Professional Experience (RPE) while supervised by someone who holds CA state licensure. After the RPE, the individual can practice independently.

10. SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY SERVICES CREDENTIAL
• The Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential is issued by the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) for individuals intending to practice SLP in the public schools. Recent legislation allows SLPs, who possess a CA state license, to work in the schools as consultants without the SLPSC. Be advised, however, that many school districts are choosing to hire only individuals who hold the SLPSC. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the CD faculty that SLP graduate students complete the requirements of the SLPSC.
• For those who wish to pursue the SLPSC, it will be necessary for you to complete an application and CAP form. You will outline your first semester activities (coursework), file for Certificate of Clearance, pay a processing fee, have taken and passed the CBEST the semester before you begin your student teaching experience. It is highly recommended that you take the CBEST exam before submitting your application to Teacher Prep. If you plan to apply for Fall 2008, you should have taken the CBEST no later than February 2008.

11. CLASSIFIED GRADUATE STUDENTS
• Classified graduate students are those who hold a baccalaureate or undergraduate degree in Communicative Disorders, and have been accepted into the SLP graduate program.

12. CONDITIONAL GRADUATE STUDENTS
• Conditional graduate students (CGs) are students who hold a bachelor’s degree in an area other than CD. They are admitted to the master’s program on the condition that they complete the UG course requirements in addition to the graduate course and clinical practica requirements. By taking full loads and attending summer sessions, the CG student can earn his or her master’s degree in 3 1/2 - 4 years.

13. TIPS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
• #1 - Take the GET your first semester. It costs $50, takes two hours and you can register online. The point of the test is to argue, in writing, both sides of an issue and come to a final position. In addition, you are graded on spelling, grammar and complete sentences. The test can be repeated. After a second failure, the student must enroll in a remedial course, EDUC 614. You cannot graduate without passing the GET/EDUC614. Do not put off taking the exam. It is offered only once per semester and only at SFSU. Check the SFSU website for upcoming dates.
• #2 – Take the CBEST the semester before you apply for student teaching.
• #3 – Make an appointment to meet with your advisor at least once per semester.
• #4 - Become acquainted with the CD Clinician’s Handbook which is available on line (along with the CD Clinic Procedures and Policies). Website: http://online.sfsu.edu/~mgraham/cdprogram/pdfs/Hdbk_Clinic.pdf.
• #5 – Buy a SFSU Bulletin or refer to it on the San Francisco State University website - http://www.sfsu.edu website
• #6 – BH 218 is the Computer Lab. All you need is your library card/ID to use the facility. There is also a 24-hour computer lab in the SFSU library.
• #7 – The Cahill Learning and Media Resource Center in Burk Hall 319, has many resources pertinent to College of Education students.
• #8 – Free email to all students can be accessed by going to http://www.sfsu.edu.
• #9 – Microsoft Office (Word, Excel Power Point) is available at the SFSU bookstore at a discounted price.
• #10 – Scholarship listings and applications for SPED & CD can be found in BH 254.

14. COMMUNICATIVE DISORDERS CLINIC
• The CD clinic at SFSU provides diagnostic and therapeutic services to approximately 175 clients per semester – individuals who have experienced stroke, head injury, throat cancer, stuttering, hearing impairment, severe language disabilities, motor speech disorders, and voice disorders. The clients are representative of the rich ethnic diversity of the SF Bay Area, approximately 50% of these individuals could not afford these services in other settings. As a graduate student, you will take at least two clinics with children on campus before being place at an off-campus site.

15. OFF-CAMPUS INTERNSHIP PLACEMENTS
• Each semester, approximately 30 students complete their internship practicum in the San Francisco –Bay Area hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and community clinic settings. The CD program places interns as far south as Monterey and as far north as Mendocino.

16. FALL COURSE ENROLLMENTS: UNDERGRADUATE & CONDITIONAL GRADUATE (SLP)
• Most first semester undergraduate students or conditional graduate students will be advised to enroll in the following courses: CD651, CD652, CD668, CD660. Please note that CD300 & CD655 are for non-CD majors only. CD300 and CD655 do not satisfy any of the requirements for the bachelor's degree in communicative disorders.

17. FALL COURSE ENROLLMENTS: GRADUATE (SLP)
• Most first semester classified graduate students will be advised to enroll in the following courses:

o CD701, CD708, CD709, and CD768
o Some students will be eligible for pediatric articulation and/or language disorder clinic (CD880 with concurrent enrollment in CD711).
o Some students take SPED702/803.
o Students should register for CBEST and GET exams.

18. iLEARN
• Most of the CD faculty members are now using a computer program called iLEARN to place course information and materials on line. iLEARN allows students to access class information at any time, and facilitates communication between the student and faculty member, as well as with other students taking the course. Go to the following website to access contact information for a faculty member, as well as information about courses in which you are enrolled: http://ilearn.sfsu.edu.

QUESTIONS?
• Undergraduate and Graduate Advisors:
1) Dr. Laura Epstein at (415) 338-1058 / lepstein@sfsu.edu
2 ) Dr. Minnie Graham at (415) 338-7656 / mgraham@sfsu.edu
3 ) Dr. Nancy Robinson at (415) 405-2170 / nancyr@sfsu.edu (CD Academic Program Coordinator)
• Bishop Graham is the CD Clinic Coordinator. He can be reached at (415) 388-7652 or you can e-mail him at bjgcd@sfsu.edu
• The CD Clinic Office can be reached at (415) 338-1001 or you can e-mail at cdinfo@sfsu.edu