The Major

The Field

The curriculum leading to a Bachelor's degree 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 Bachelor's program does not provide (nor is it designed to provide) the student with all of the necessary competencies that allow for employment within the professions of Speech/Language Pathology or Audiology. The curriculum does provide the necessary academic preparation for graduate study in Speech/Language Pathology or Audiology which is the level of preparation where the achievement of professional competencies are the primary goal of course study and supervised practicum.

Students are strongly advised to consult the academic advisor about the content and sequence of their curriculum, especially where the choice and sequencing of electives are concerned.

For students declaring the major Summer, 2019 and after

1. Departmental Requirements

COMM-DIS 100 Introduction to Communication Disorders – (U) (Strongly suggested but not required)
COMM-DIS 211 Anatomy and Physiology I: The Speech and Hearing Mechanism
COMM-DIS 212 Anatomy and Physiology II: Neurological Bases of Speech, Language, and Hearing
COMM-DIS 213 Phonetic Processing
COMM-DIS 214 Introduction to Hearing Science
COMM-DIS 290A Introduction to Language Science
COMM-DIS 301 Speech and Language Development - (IE)
COMM-DIS 312 Introduction to Speech Science
COMM-DIS 313 Introduction to Audiology
COMM-DIS 330 Junior Year Writing
COMM-DIS 390A Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation
COMM-DIS 415 Speech and Language Disorders
one 3-credit elective numbered 398 or above from Departmental offerings (excluding 496 Independent Study)

2. Extra-Departmental Requirements

PHYSICS 114 Theory of Sound
PSYCH 350 Child Behavior and Development or
HUMANDEV 270 Child Development
Statistics course (see advisor)

3. Electives

COMM-DIS 398 Practicum
COMM-DIS 416 Clinical Procedures
COMM-DIS 490A Hearing Health and Society
COMM-DIS 496K Clinical Observation - 1 cr. (Strongly suggested but not required)
COMM-DIS 520 Counseling in Communication Disorders
COMM-DIS 530 Neurological Substrates and Neuropathologies of Language, Speech and Hearing
COMM-DIS 540 Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders
COMM-DIS 580 Cognitive Bases of Language Functions
COMM-DIS 591D S-Treatment Technology in Communication Disorders
COMM-DIS 591E S-SLP Assistants in the School

Total number of credits required for the major in Communication Disorders is 50.

Suggested Schedule

Freshmen
Fall or Spring
COMM-DIS 100 Introduction to Communication Disorders
PSYCH 100 Introductory Psychology
PSYCH 350 Child Behavior and Development or HUMANDEV 270 Child Development
Statistics
General Education Requirements

Sophomores
Fall
COMM-DIS 211 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism
COMM-DIS 290A Introduction to Language Science
PHYSICS 114 Theory of Sound
Non-departmental electives (2)

Spring
COMM-DIS 211 Anatomy and Physiology II: Neurological Bases of Speech, Language, and Hearing
COMM-DIS 213 Phonetic Processing
COMM-DIS 214 Introduction to Hearing Science
Non-departmental electives (2)

Juniors
Fall
COMM-DIS 301 Speech and Language Development
COMM-DIS 313 Introduction to Audiology
COMM-DIS 330 Writing in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
Non-departmental electives

Spring
COMM-DIS 312 Introduction to Speech Science
COMM-DIS 314 Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation 
COMM-DIS 330 Writing in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (if not taken in the fall)
Non-departmental electives
Statistics course

Seniors
Fall
COMM-DIS 330 Writing in Com Dis (if not taken in the Junior year)
COMM-DIS 496K Clinical Observation
Departmental electives
Non-departmental electives

Spring
COMM-DIS 415 Speech and Language Disorders (if not taken in the fall)
COMM-DIS 496K Clinical Observation (if not taken previously)
Departmental electives
Non-departmental electives

For students declaring the major before Summer, 2019

1. Departmental Requirements

Comm-Dis 211 Anatomy and Physiology I: The Speech and Hearing Mechanism
Comm-Dis 212 Anatomy and Physiology II: Neurological Bases of Speech, Language, and Hearing
Comm-Dis 213 Phonetic Processing
Comm-Dis 214 Introduction to Hearing Science
Comm-Dis 301 Speech and Language Development - (IE)
Comm-Dis 312 Introduction to Speech Science
Comm-Dis 313 Introduction to Audiology
Comm-Dis 330 Junior Year Writing
Comm-Dis 390A Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation
Comm-Dis 415 Speech and Language Disorders

2. Extra-Departmental Requirements

PHYSICS 114 Theory of Sound
PSYCH 350 Child Behavior and Development or
HUMANDEV 270 Child Development
LINGUIST 201 Introduction to Linguistic Theory
Statistics course (see advisor)

3. Electives

100 Introduction to Communication Disorders – (U) (Strongly suggested but not required)
416 Clinical Procedures
490A Hearing Health and Society
496K Clinical Observation - 1 cr. (Strongly suggested but not required)
520 Counseling in Communication Disorders
530 Neurological Substrates and Neuropathologies of Language, Speech and Hearing
540 Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders
580 Cognitive Bases of Language Functions
591D S-Treatment Technology in Communication Disorders
591E S-SLP Assistants in the School

Total number of credits required for the major in Communication Disorders is 43.

Suggested Schedule

Freshmen
Fall or Spring
COMM-DIS 210 Introduction to Communication Disorders
PSYCH 100 Introductory Psychology
General Education Requirements

Sophomores
Fall
COMM-DIS 211 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism
COMM-DIS 213 Phonetic Processing
PHYSICS 114 Theory of Sound
PSYCH 350 Child Behavior and Development or
HUMANDEV 270 Child Development
Non-departmental electives (2)

Spring
COMM-DIS 211 Anatomy and Physiology II: Neurological Bases of Speech, Language, and Hearing
COMM-DIS 214 Introduction to Hearing Science
LINGUIST 201 Introduction to Linguistics
Statistics
Non-departmental electives (2)

Juniors
Fall
COMM-DIS 301 Speech and Language Development
COMM-DIS 313 Introduction to Audiology
COMM-DIS 330 Writing in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
Non-departmental electives

Spring
COMM-DIS 312 Introduction to Speech Science
COMM-DIS 314 Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation 
COMM-DIS 330 Writing in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (if not taken in the fall)
Non-departmental electives
Statistics course

Seniors
Fall
COMM-DIS 330 Writing in Com Dis (if not taken in the Junior year)
COMM-DIS 496K Clinical Observation
Departmental electives
Non-departmental electives

Spring
COMM-DIS 415 Speech and Language Disorders (if not taken in the fall)
COMM-DIS 496K Clinical Observation (if not taken previously)
Departmental electives
Non-departmental electives