BA/BS in Communication Disorders Sciences and Services

Students in the communication sciences major study the basic processes through which children and adults acquire normal communication. Most graduates continue to graduate study in speech-language pathology or audiology, since a master's degree is the entry credential for clinical speech-language practice and a clinical doctorate is the entry credential in audiology. The major requires forty-five credit hours drawn from communication sciences and disorders, psychology, English and linguistics, plus statistics and research design. Required courses include introductions to communication disorders and American Sign Language, phonetics and phonology, quantitative methods and research design. With permission, undergraduates can enroll in some graduate-level courses. Learning outcomes address how communication is shaped by culture, society and language, the impact of disorders on quality of life, and evaluation of research. Departmental honors and combined bachelor's and master's tracks are offered.