Undergraduate Program
The curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree (B.S.) in Communication Disorders is designed to provide the undergraduate student with a broad introductory background to the normal processes of speech, hearing, language and related functions, as well as a basic understanding of communicative pathologies and a familiarization with various approaches to their assessment and treatment. The curriculum provides the necessary academic preparation for graduate study in speech and language pathology or audiology, which is the level of preparation where the achievement of professional competencies is the primary goal of course study and supervised practicum.
In addition to required academic courses, the department's clinical facilities are sufficiently equipped to allow for video-tape or direct observation by students of clinical diagnosis and treatment of a variety of communicative pathologies. Students are urged to take advantage of this observational experience, but can do so only according to established clinical policies. Seniors may participate in a practicum experience with permission of the instructor.
Students are strongly advised to consult their academic advisors about the content and sequence of their curriculum, especially where the choice and sequencing of electives are concerned.
NOTE: In addition to the curriculum requirements outlined below, each student must have their speech and hearing evaluated shortly after their acceptance as a major in the department. The purpose of this speech and hearing screening evaluation is to detect communication problems requiring more complete evaluation and possible remediation. Evaluation results do not affect the student's status as a communication disorders major.
Required Courses within the Department of Communication Disorders (30 credits):
| COMM-DIS 211 | Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism |
| COMM-DIS 310 | Phonetic Processing |
| COMM-DIS 311 | Introduction to Hearing Science |
| COMM-DIS 312 | Introduction to Speech Science |
| COMM-DIS 313 | Introduction to Audiology |
| COMM-DIS 315 | Speech and Language Disorders |
| COMM-DIS 330 | Junior Year Writing |
| COMM-DIS 401 | Language Acquisition |
| COMM-DIS 416 | Clinical Procedures |
| COMM-DIS 530 | Neurological Bases of Speech, Language and Hearing |
| COMM-DIS 496K | Senior Observation - 1 cr. (Strongly suggested but not required) |
OTHER REQUIRED COURSES (12 credits)*
| PHYSICS 114 | Theory of Sound - (PS) |
| PSYCH 350 | Child Behavior and Development - (SB) |
| HUMANDEV 270 | Child Development - (SB) |
| LINGUIST 201 | Introduction to Linguistic Theory - (R2) |
| XXX XXX | Statistics Course - (R2) |
*Students are required to take either PSYCH 350 or HUMANDEV 270 and a statistics course from among several alternatives.
