MA Students

The Director of Graduate Studies serves as academic advisor to all currently enrolled Master's students in CDS. The Director of Graduate Studies is Dr. Kris Tjaden (tjaden@buffalo.edu). Dr. Tjaden's advisement hours for Fall 2009 are from 2-3:30pm on Fridays (Office or Lab: Cary 118/108/110). Advisement is available during this time period on a first come first serve basis. No appointment is required.

If you are a prospective student with questions about the program, please contact the Director of Admissions. The current Director of Admissions is Dr. Jeff Higginbotham (cdsjeff@buffalo.edu).

• Curriculum Plan
  • This document provides a general course of study for the entire MA program. It is intended as a guide to help students in planning their course of study each semester.
• Course Waiver Form
  • This form is to be completed in the following instances: 1) Make-up students or students with an undergraduate degree in a field other than CDS who have completed undergraduate pre-requisite courses at other institutions (see MA Curriculum Plan for a list of undergraduate pre-requisite courses for non-CDS majors), 2) Students seeking pre-approval of math, physical science, etc. courses to be taken to fulfill ASHA requirements, and 3) Students who have completed required Graduate courses at other institutions.
• Requirements for New York State Teacher Certification
  • Information regarding requirements and procedures for obtaining initial certification for the New York State Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities.
• Funding Opportunities
  • This link will direct you to the College of Arts and Sciences website which details funding opportunities for graduate students.
• Graduate School Current Students Tab
  • This link will direct you to information about costs and finances, policies and procedures, electronic thesis submission, University forms including the Application to Candidacy (ATC), Graduate School Petition Form, student calendars, class schedules, grading policies, and grievance procedures.
• Praxis Test Information
  • Information regarding the ASHA Praxis exam. A passing grade on the exam is required for degree conferral.
• Pre-requisites to Clinical Practicum
  • A description of requirements for beginning Clinical Practicum in the UB Speech and Hearing Clinic.
• Independent Study Form
  • Complete for registration in CDS 600. The form must be approved and signed by the independent study course instructor at least two weeks prior to registration. Upon approval, deliver forms to Sandra Mundier (122B Cary or her mailbox in 122G Cary) for EXCEPTION REGISTRATION.
• CAA Complaint Process
  • "A complaint about any accredited program or program in candidacy status may be submitted by any student, instructional staff member, speech-language pathologist, audiologist, and/or member of the public" (per CAA website).
  • All complaints must be signed and submitted in writing to the Chair, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Blvd, #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850. Complaints will not be accepted by e-mail or facsimile.

• Professional Links
  • National Student Speech Langugage and Hearing Association (NSSLHA)
  • American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA)
  • Speech-Language Hearing Association of Western New York (SHAWNY)
  • New York State Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NYSSLHA)
  • New York State Licensure Information: Office of the Professions