Communicative
Disorders Program
Department of Special Education

Welcome to the
Communicative Disorders Program
at San Francisco State University!

We invite you to explore our website
to learn more about our program.

Our Mission Statement: The mission of the Communicative Disorders Program (CD) at San Francisco State University (SFSU) is to prepare professionals to provide competent and compassionate service to people with communication disorders, across the lifespan. The SFSU CD Program is based on the following core values: collaboration; compassion; resilience; inquiry and investigation; life-long learning; professionalism; multiculturalism; leadership; mentorship; advocacy; and internationalism.

Two degree programs are offered: the Bachelor of Arts in Communicative Disorders and Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. To fulfill its mission and the goals of the strategic plan*, the SFSU CD Program will:

• Promote a climate in which collaboration with all partners in the service of persons with communicative disorders is the core of clinical service.

• Demonstrate understanding of the perspectives of people with disabilities and their family members, through compassion for all participants and perspectives in communicative disorders.

• Obtain cultural competence in coursework and clinical experiences in the context of the unique cultural and linguistic diversity of the San Francisco Bay Area.

• Participate in learning experiences across the continuum of professional development, from foundation course work in communication disorders for undergraduate students, to graduate education in speech-language pathology, to continuing education, and life-long learning.

• Develop resilience and skills necessary for future and current professionals to thrive in the workplace of the future.

• Promote clinical competence through the development of self-evaluation and analysis of the clinical interaction that builds a professional sense of self in all interactions.

• Embody a teaching and learning environment to foster critical thinking, research and inquiry throughout academic and clinical experiences, thereby instilling the principles of life-long learning.

• Promote evidence-based practice in the application of research in clinical services, and thereby adhere to the highest standards of science and efficacy.

• Participate in international study and clinical exchange opportunities in communication sciences and disorders, with a focus on the promotion of an international worldview for our profession that is inclusive of all peoples and cultures.

*Click here to read the full text of the SFSU CD program strategic plan.
*Click here to read "Strategic Planning in CSD Programs: The San Francisco State University Example" published in The ASHA Leader, April 2008.

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Certification, Credentials, License:

Our program curricula include all
academic and clinical experiences
necessary for ASHA certification in
speech-language pathology; the
Speech-Language Pathology Services
Credential in Language, Speech and
Hearing; the Speech-Language
Pathology Services Credential in
Language, Speech and Hearing
including Special Class Authorization;
and the State of California license in
speech-language pathology.

Location:

The Communicative Disorders Program
is housed within the Department of
Special Education within the College of
Education.

Accreditation:

San Francisco State University is
accredited by the Accrediting
Commission for Senior Colleges and
Universities of the Western
Association of Schools and Colleges
(WASC). The Communicative Disorders
Program is accredited by the Council on
Academic Accreditation (CAA) in
Speech-Language Pathology (2017), the
California Commission on Teacher
Credentialing (CCTC), and the
National Council for Accreditation
of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Contact Information:

Communicative Disorders Program
(B.A. in Communicative Disorders;
M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology)
1600 Holloway Avenue
Burk Hall 114
San Francisco, CA 94132
Phone: 415.338.1001
Fax: 415.338.0916
E-mail: cdinfo@sfsu.edu

Last update: August 20, 2009