Communication Sciences and Disorders Major
The undergraduate program immerses students in an academically rigorous and challenging course of study. Students learn about the normal development and processes of speech, language, and hearing, as well as its disorders across the lifespan. In addition to the courses offered within the Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, students are required to take courses in biological sciences, physical sciences, behavioral sciences, and mathematics.
The undergraduate curriculum allows the opportunity for students who may be interested to study abroad or be part of the National Student Exchange. The second semester of year one or the first semester of year two or three are good choices for these pursuits. Students must plan their semester away with their department advisor at least one year in advance to assure that they complete their major requirements in a timely manner. The curriculum also allows students to declare a minor in an area of interest.
Overall, the Communication Sciences and Disorders major provides students with knowledge and skills that enable them to do well in either graduate school or in the work place. Students will have an excellent liberal arts education with a strong basis of normal and disordered communication. Students acquire interpersonal, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, as well as scientific reasoning, strong writing ability, and strong presentation skills.
The Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences Department’s Program Goals ensure that students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills of the science underlying human communication, including anatomy and physiology, speech science, phonetics, language science, and hearing science. Students will also be able to demonstrate knowledge of the etiology, characteristics, assessment, prevention, and intervention of communication disorders. In addition, students will demonstrate written language, oral language, and critical thinking skills pertaining to normal and disordered communication.
Requirements for Major in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
CD-100 | Introduction to Human Communication and its Disorders | 3 |
CD-103 | Language Science | 3 |
CD-110 | Anatomy and Physiology of Speech And Hearing | 3 |
CD-115 | Normal Development of Speech and Language | 3 |
CD-201 | Hearing Science | 3 |
CD-202 | Speech Science | 3 |
CD-205 | Phonetics | 3 |
CD-230 | Neuroscience for Communication Sciences and Disorders | 3 |
CD-301 | Directed Observations | 2 |
CD-305 | Introduction to Audiology | 3 |
CD-310 | Language Disorders | 3 |
CD-320 | Speech Disorders | 3 |
CD-400 | Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation | 3 |
CD-401 | Advanced Directed Observations | 2 |
CD-410 | Professional Guidelines and Skills | 3 |
CD-475 | Selected Topics in Communication Sciences and Disorders | 3 |
Total Credits | 46 |
Students must obtain a minimum grade of a C in any prerequisite major course. In addition, a major course may be repeated only once to obtain a passing grade.
Out of department requirements include the following courses: one biological science (human or animal based), one physical science (introductory physics or chemistry course), MA-180, one statistics, and two behavioral sciences of which one must be in developmental psychology. These requirements cannot be taken pass/fail. Advisors in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders will help students choose appropriate courses in these areas.
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Sample Timeline for Completion of Degree
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Semester One | Credits | |
LASC | First-Year Seminar LASC FYS | 3 |
EN-101 | College Writing I (LASC WRI) | 3 |
CD-100 | Introduction to Human Communication and its Disorders | 3 |
MA-180 | Introduction to Functions (LASC QR) 1 | 3 |
Biological Science (LASC NSP & Lab) | ||
Select one of the following | 4 | |
The Human Animal and The Human Animal Laboratory | ||
Concepts of Biology | ||
Credits | 16 | |
Semester Two | ||
EN-102 | College Writing II (LASC WRII) | 3 |
CD-103 | Language Science | 3 |
CD-110 | Anatomy and Physiology of Speech And Hearing | 3 |
LASC | LASC Elective (USW) 2 | 3 |
Statistics | ||
MA-150 or PS-275 | Statistics I (LASC QR) 1 or Psychological Statistics | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Two | ||
Semester Three | ||
CD-201 | Hearing Science 4 | 3 |
CD-205 | Phonetics | 3 |
LASC | LASC Elective (GP) 2 | 3 |
LASC | LASC Elective (CA) 2 | 3 |
PS-101 | General Psychology (LASC HBS) | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Semester Four | ||
CD-115 | Normal Development of Speech and Language | 3 |
CD-202 | Speech Science | 3 |
PS-210 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
Physical Science | ||
Select one of the following: (LASC NSP) 3 | 4 | |
Concepts in Physics I | ||
Physics of Waves | ||
Survey of Chemistry | ||
LASC | LASC Elective (TLC) 2 | 3 |
Credits | 16 | |
Year Three | ||
Semester Five | ||
CD-230 | Neuroscience for Communication Sciences and Disorders | 3 |
LASC | LASC Elective (NSP) 2 | 3 |
LASC | LASC Elective (ICW) 2 | 3 |
LASC | LASC Elective (CON) 2 | 3 |
SELECT | General Elective | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Semester Six | ||
CD-301 | Directed Observations 6 | 2 |
CD-310 | Language Disorders 6 | 3 |
CD-320 | Speech Disorders 6 | 3 |
CD-305 | Introduction to Audiology 6 | 3 |
LASC | Distribution Elective | 3 |
SELECT | General Elective | 3 |
Credits | 17 | |
Year Four | ||
Semester Seven | ||
CD-401 | Advanced Directed Observations | 2 |
CD-400 | Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation | 3 |
CD-410 | Professional Guidelines and Skills | 3 |
SELECT | General Elective | 3 |
SELECT | General Elective | 3 |
Credits | 14 | |
Semester Eight | ||
CD-475 | Selected Topics in Communication Sciences and Disorders | 3 |
SELECT | General Elective | 3 |
SELECT | General Elective | 3 |
SELECT | General Elective | 3 |
SELECT | General Elective | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Total Credits | 123 |
- 1
MA-180 requires a math placement code of 5 or higher. MA-150 requires and a math placement code of 4 or higher. PS-275 requires a math placement code of 3 or higher.
- 2
LASC courses indicated with 2 are suggestions and serve as a reminder that LASC Distribution Electives must be taken to satisfy the LASC requirements.
- 3
See advisor for a full list of approved courses.
- 4
CD-201 requires a math placement code of 3 or higher.
- 5
CD-202 requires a math placement code of 3 or higher.
- 6
Note:
- Most major courses have prerequisites that must be completed before enrolling into the subsequent course.
- Once major and LASC requirements are satisfied, students may elect any courses of interest to fulfill a minimum of 120 credits for graduation.
Students are required to meet with their academic advisor to review their courses for the upcoming semester. A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation. First-year and transfer students with 45 or fewer credits at the time of admission shall complete two academic programs (a major/major or major/minor) to qualify for graduation. For more information, please view the MajorPlus section of this catalog.