Communication Sciences and Disorders (B.A.)
This department offers courses related to the study of communication and communication disorders and sciences. Specialized coursework prepares students to work with speech-language and hearing disabled children and adults in a variety of settings, including the public schools, hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers and private practice. College teaching and research are also career possibilities.
Undergraduate students in this specialization should note that graduate study is required for clinical certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). A master’s degree is required for speech-language pathologists and a doctoral degree is required for audiologists. Study in this major at the undergraduate level provides a scientific foundation for graduate study in both audiology and speech-language pathology as well as other science and health professions.
Students interested in pursuing doctoral study should contact the graduate officer.
Admission requirements for this program are satisfied by the general requirements for undergraduate admission to the University.
Candidates must complete 120 credits in course work including satisfaction of the University General Education Requirements and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Group Requirements, as well as the departmental major requirements cited below. All course work must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the University and the College governing undergraduate scholarship and degrees. Students must receive a grade of C-minus or better in all biology courses.
It is expected that a major will complete at least thirty-three credits in SLP and AUD course work. Any credits elected over the maximum forty-six must have prior approval of both advisor and Chairperson if the additional credits are to count toward the degree (120 credits). A proper distribution of courses approved by the student's advisor is important. It is desirable that students intending to major in communication sciences and disorders begin their work in the Department in their sophomore year. Courses in the major should be selected in consultation with a Departmental undergraduate advisor. Students are encouraged to begin consulting with the undergraduate advisor during their freshman year. The declaration of major form should be completed as soon as possible in their undergraduate program. In addition, students should see the department advisor to discuss grade point average (GPA) policies and the course sequence. The Department allows one repeat of undergraduate courses. The specific courses that can be repeated depend on whether the student has met the GPA requirements.
The Communication Science and Disorders (CSD) program has temporarily suspended the current CSD GPA policy, which states: CSD-BA and Post Bachelor program students must have and maintain an overall undergraduate GPA of 2.75 and must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA in the CSD major courses (specifically to register for the CSD Advanced courses).
**NOTE: The suspension will remain in effect for 2 academic years (Fall 2020-Spring/Summer 2022). At the end of the Spring/Summer 2022 term, the GPA policy will be revisited and revised as needed.
The temporary GPA policy is as follows:
CSD-BA and Post Bachelor program students must have an overall undergraduate GPA of 2.0, and a minimum 2.0 GPA for all CSD major courses.
Major Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree in this discipline consist of the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SLP 5080 | Phonetics | 3 |
| SLP 5090 | Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism | 3 |
| SLP 5120 | Speech Science | 3 |
| SLP 5300 | Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology | 3 |
| SLP 5310 | Clinical Methods in Communication Disorders | 3 |
| SLP 5320 | Normal Language Acquisition and Usage | 3 |
| SLP 5360 | Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology | 3 |
| SLP 6460 | Language and Phonological Disorders | 3 |
| SLP 6480 | Organic and Fluency Disorders | 3 |
| AUD 5400 | Introduction to Audiology | 3 |
| AUD 5420 | Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation | 3 |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
It is departmental policy that students must complete the following courses with a 2.0 or higher (SLP 5300 SLP 5320, SLP 5080, SLP 5090, and AUD 5400 for permission to register for advanced coursework. Departmental permission is required to register for the six advanced courses in the major which are:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SLP 5120 | Speech Science | 3 |
| SLP 5310 | Clinical Methods in Communication Disorders | 3 |
| SLP 5360 | Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology | 3 |
| AUD 5420 | Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation | 3 |
| SLP 6460 | Language and Phonological Disorders | 3 |
| SLP 6480 | Organic and Fluency Disorders | 3 |
Students will not be granted permission to register for the advanced coursework unless they have and maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 and major GPA of 2.0 within the CSD coursework. Students who do not meet these requirements will not be able to complete the major courses required to earn the Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders. In addition, in order to meet certification requirements of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association after graduate school, it is strongly recommended that all undergraduate majors complete the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| STA 1020 | Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| PHY 1020 | Conceptual Physics: The Basic Science | 4 |
| or CHM 1000 | Chemistry and Your World | |
| BIO 1050 | An Introduction to Life (with laboratory) | 3 |
| or BIO 1030 | Biology Today | |
| PSY 1010 | Introductory Psychology (with laboratory) | 4 |
| or PSY 1020 | Elements of Psychology | |
| SOC 1010 | Understanding Human Society | 3 |
| or ANT 1100 | Introduction to Anthropology | |
| Transfer equivalents | ||
For transfer equivalent: please contact departmental advisor for questions regarding transfer courses within the major.