Communication Sciences and Disorders B.S.
All students must meet the University Requirements.
All students must meet the College Requirements.
This major leads to a Bachelor of Science. The major provides the breadth of a liberal arts education plus an introduction to the health sciences, as well as in-depth information about human communication, including opportunities to explore the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology. Students are introduced to a variety of communication disorders through classes, observations, and clinical activities. A minimum of 120 credits, a minor, and a GPA of 2.5 are required for the Communication Sciences and Disorders major.
Students with a semester and/or cumulative grade point average below 2.5 will be placed on trial for one semester. Students are allowed one trial period while in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program and must maintain semester and cumulative grade point averages of 2.5 or higher for the duration of the program following a semester on trial. Failure to do so will result in discontinuation from the program.
Working as a speech-language pathologist (SLP) requires a master’s degree, clinical certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and state licensure. Positions in audiology require a professional doctorate, the Au.D., or a scholarly Ph.D. Employment opportunities for fully qualified speech-language pathologists and audiologists exist in birth-to-three programs, public schools, medical centers, nursing homes, and private practices. The profession is a growing one with excellent opportunities for future employment.
A bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders prepares students for a wide variety of careers, some of which require a graduate degree and some of which do not. Students can prepare to work as speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs), audiology assistants, or in many other fields such as education, psychology, linguistics, cognitive science, or medicine.
A Model Curriculum in Communication Sciences and Disorders
| First Year | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Spring | |
| CSD 020 Intro to Disordered Comm | 3 | |
| CSD 099 Intro Topics in Clin Aud & SLP | 3 | |
| PSYS 001 Intro to Psychological Science | 3 | |
| NH 050 App to Hlth: From Pers to Syst | 1 | |
| LING 080 Introduction to Linguistics (or Elective/Distribution/Minor/Diversity) or CSD 023 Linguistics for Clinicians | 3 | |
| CSD 094 Dev of Spoken Language | 3 | |
| LING 080 Introduction to Linguistics (or CSD 023 or LING 80 in fall)3 | 3 | |
| ENGS 001 FW: Written Expression | 3 | |
| Physical Science Course (lab not required)1 | 3-4 | |
| Elective/Distribution/Minor/Diversity/Physical Science Course (Recommended: CSD 025:D2)2 | 3 | |
| Year Total: | 13 | 15-16 |
| Sophomore | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| CSD 101 Speech & Hearing Science | 4 | |
| ANPS 019 Ugr Hum Anatomy & Physiology 1 | 4 | |
or BIOL 004 (offered in spring) | ||
| NH 120 Health Care Ethics | 3 | |
| PSYS 150 Developmental Psych: Childhood | 3 | |
| Elective/Distribution/Minor/Diversity (Recommended: CSD 025: D2)2 | 3 | |
| CSD 199 Adv Topics in Clin Aud & SLP | 3 | |
| CSD 122 Clinical Phonetics | 4 | |
| BIOL 004 The Human Body | 3 | |
or ANPS 019 (offered in fall) | ||
| BIOL 014 The Human Body Laboratory (recommended) | 1 | |
| STAT 111 QR: Elements of Statistics or STAT 141 QR:Basic Statistical Methods 1 | 3 | |
| Elective/Distribution/Minor/Diversity2 | 3 | |
| Year Total: | 17 | 17 |
| Junior | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| CSD 271 Introduction to Audiology | 3 | |
| LING 081 Structure of English Language or LING 166 Introduction to Syntax | 3 | |
| Elective/Distribution/Minor/Diversity (Recommended: CSD 025: D2)2 | 6 | |
| CSD 208 Cognition & Language | 3 | |
| CSD 262 Measurement of Comm Processes | 4 | |
| CSD 272 Hearing Rehabilitation | 3 | |
| Elective/Distribution/Minor/Diversity2 | 6 | |
| Year Total: | 12 | 16 |
| Senior | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| CSD 281 Intro Cognitive Neuroscience | 3 | |
| Recommended for Fall: | ||
| CSD 296 Advanced Special Topics | 3 | |
| Elective/Distribution/Minor/Diversity (Recommended: CSD 025: D2)2 | 9 | 9 |
| Recommended for Spring: | 3 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 12 |
| Total Credits in Sequence: | 117-118 | |
| 1 | Physical Science course: any course with CHEM or PHYS prefix. |
| 2 | Distribution courses include the following: Fine Arts (3 credits); Foreign Language (6-8 credits)*; Literature (3 credits); Humanities (6 credits). |
| 3 | CSD 023 offered in fall; LING 080 offered in fall and spring |
| * | Appropriate level is determined by the offering department. At least 6 credits in the same foreign language. The following courses are not approved for this category: ASL 120, ASL 195, ASL 196; CHIN 020, CHIN 095, CHIN 096; FREN 095, FREN 096; ITAL 095, ITAL 096; JAPN 010, JAPN 095, JAPN 096, JAPN 121, JAPN 122, JAPN 221, JAPN 222; SPAN 010, SPAN 095, SPAN 096. |
Minimum of 120 semester credit hours including the University's general education requirements and a GPA of 2.5 required for graduation. This model curriculum is designed to meet all course requirements. Changes should be reviewed with an academic advisor. Minor required. Minors, concentrations, or majors cannot count both CSD 022 and CSD 122 or both CSD 023 and LING 080. Majors must take CSD 122 and may not take CSD 022 or LING 165.