B.S. ED. In Communication Disorders and Sciences

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) provides a program that leads to a Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a major in Communication Disorders. This program is designed to introduce students to the field of speech-language pathology and to allow them to develop knowledge specific to intervention for individuals with communication disorders. The B.S. Ed. degree is a pre-professional degree following a four-year curriculum.

THE GOALS OF THE UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM ARE:

  • To provide students with an understanding of the foundations of normal and disordered aspects of communication allowing transition to graduate studies in the field
  • To develop fundamental knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for working with people of all ages having a wide range of speech, language, and hearing problems
  • To cultivate a skill set that is both specialized and well-rounded, with opportunities for a minor in a related area
  • To prepare students for success in graduate-level communication disorders programs with relevant knowledge and academic competency

 

To learn more about the undergraduate coursework see this video from a professor:

CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS

The program’s first and second years emphasize general education providing students with necessary basic skills and knowledge critical to the practice of speech-language pathology, including the following:

  • Writing
  • Statistical analysis
  • The principles of education
  • Psychology

The third and fourth years consist of specialized coursework relating to communication and to the characteristics and treatment of communication disorders. Students will complete this undergraduate program having:

  • Acquired foundational knowledge in the subject areas of speech sound production, anatomy of speech and hearing, neurology, audiology, and of communication disorders pertaining to these areas
  • Obtained familiarity with the tools and principles for the identification and assessment communication disorders
  • Studied the various methods used in clinical intervention for the treatment of communication disorders, and the counseling techniques necessary to help patients understand and adjust to their condition
  • Learned knowledge and skills required to meet the social, cultural, and linguistic needs of patients from a diverse array of backgrounds and identities
  • Experienced the realities of clinical practice through guided observation of licensed professionals in the field

Undergraduate Plan of Study
Guided Observation Guidelines