Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD)

Four Year Plan - B.A. with Major in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Four Year Plan - B.A. with Major in Communication Sciences and Disorders 

This is a suggested plan. There is some flexibility in course selection. To create an individualized plan, please work with the CSD advisor. The CSD courses typically need to be taken in the semesters listed. One exception is CSD 232 Survey of Communication Disorders which is offered both semesters and can be taken freshman year.

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman Year
FallCredits
MATH 103 College Algebra 3
BIOL 111 Concepts of Biology 3
BIOL 111L Concepts of Biology Laboratory 1
ENGL 110 College Composition I 3
COMM 110 Fundamentals of Public Speaking 3
PSYC 111 Introduction to Psychology 3
 Credits16
Spring
ENGL 130 Composition II: Writing for Public Audiences 3
ENGL 209 Introduction to Linguistics 3
CHEM 115
Introductory Chemistry
or Natural Science-Physics
3
Electives 6
 Credits15
Sophomore Year
Fall
CSD 223 Phonetics 3
CSD 231 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism 4
CSD 232 Survey of Communication Disorders 3
PSYC 241 Introduction to Statistics 4
 Credits14
Spring
CSD 235 Speech and Hearing Science 4
CSD 340 Normal Language Structure 3
PSYC 250 Developmental Psychology 4
Electives 6
 Credits17
Junior Year
Fall
CSD 343 Language Development 3
CSD 343L Language Development Laboratory 2
CSD 431 Introduction to Audiology 3
PSYC 270 Abnormal Psychology 3
PSYC 355
Adulthood and Aging
or Orientation to Gerontology
or Aging and Society
3
 Credits14
Spring
CSD 333 Speech Sound Development and Disorders 3
CSD 434 Aural Rehabilitation 3
Essential Studies: Advanced Communication 3
Electives 6
 Credits15
Senior Year
Fall
CSD 400 School Programs in Speech-Language-Hearing 3
CSD 425 Language, Multiculturalism and Communication Disorders 3
CSD 440 Language Disorders I 3
CSD 484 Clinical Practicum I: Speech-Language Pathology 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
Spring
CSD 422 Neuroanatomy of Communication Disorders 3
CSD 438 Craniofacial Anomalies 3
CSD 441 Language Disorders II 3
CSD 485 Clinical Practicum II: Speech Language Pathology 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits121

*CSD 486 Field Experience in Speech-Language-Hearing is an optional 1-credit course that can be taken sophomore, junior, or senior year.

A minimum of 120 credits is required to graduate. The elective spots should be used to fulfill essential studies requirements in the breadth of knowledge and special emphasis areas. The capstone requirement is fulfilled by CSD 485 Clinical Practicum II: Speech Language Pathology which is taken the spring semester of senior year. If ES requirements are fulfilled, the elective spots can be used for requirements for optional minors and/or certificates.

Please Note: Every student must fulfill all University, Departmental, and Essential Studies requirements.

CSD 103. American Sign Language I. 3 Credits.

This course will introduce American Sign Language (ASL), including practice with basic conversation, basic vocabulary, grammatical forms, spatial relations, fingerspelling, and numbering. F,S.

CSD 104. American Sign Language II. 3 Credits.

This course will advance students' expressive and receptive skills in the use of ASL. Students will develop expanded vocabulary and learn additional conversational and narrative skills. Prerequisite: CSD 103. F,S.

CSD 105. Introduction to Deaf culture. 3 Credits.

This course will introduce the Deaf culture to expand student's understanding of this linguistic minority and how it functions in the broader context of our society. It will explore various aspects of Deaf culture including its history, norms, values, art, traditions, and contemporary issues. F,S.

CSD 223. Phonetics. 3 Credits.

This course provides knowledge and skills in English phonetics. Students learn to produce, recognize, and transcribe English speech sounds using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). Topics include anatomical mechanisms for producing speech, classification of vowels and consonants, suprasegmental features, and phonetic variations. Course will also include practice of broad and narrow transcription (normal and disordered speech) and steps for clinical speech sampling. F,S.

CSD 231. Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism. 4 Credits.

Introduction to the structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) of the systems and processes involved in speech production and hearing, especially the respiratory, phonatory, articulatory, and hearing systems. F.

CSD 232. Survey of Communication Disorders. 3 Credits.

Introduction to the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology with a focus on some speech, language, and hearing disorders. F,S.

CSD 235. Speech and Hearing Science. 4 Credits.

Principles of speech production, including source-filter theory and the acoustic analysis of vowels and consonants. Students will be introduced to the physics of sound (acoustics) and fundamentals of psychoacoustics related to human speech communication and hearing. Prerequisite: CSD 223, CSD 231, and MATH 103 or higher. S.

CSD 310. Understanding language-based reading difficulties. 3 Credits.

This course incorporates current reading research to provide a solid foundation for understanding the linguistic components of reading. Aspects of language comprehension (background knowledge, vocabulary, language structure, verbal reasoning, literacy knowledge) and word recognition (phonological awareness, decoding, sight recognition) will be explicitly taught. F.

CSD 311. Evaluating language-based reading difficulties. 3 Credits.

This course introduces students to evidence-based standardized and non-standardized methods to assess foundational reading skills. Students will practice assessing foundational skills and interpreting the results. S.

CSD 312. Intervention for language-based reading difficulties. 3 Credits.

This course will provide an overview of evidence-based methods to teach students with dyslexia or language-based reading difficulties. Particular emphasis will be placed on systematic, multi-sensory phonological processing models. Prerequisite: CSD 310 and CSD 311. SS.

CSD 333. Speech Sound Development and Disorders. 3 Credits.

This course provides knowledge and skills in the assessment and treatment of speech sound disorders. Specifically, the study of (1) foundational theories of normal developmental processes of articulation and phonology, (2) etiology and clinical presentation of various speech sound disorders, (3) evaluation of speech sound disorders including a review of phonetic transcription and an in-depth study of methods of assessment for differential diagnosis, and (4) differentiation of major approaches to intervention for speech sound disorders, including considerations for dialectical variables and for selected special populations. Prerequisite: CSD 223. S.

CSD 340. Normal Language Structure. 3 Credits.

The purpose of this course is to learn to analyze the grammar of English, focusing on morphology and syntax. The knowledge gained will serve as a foundation for the analysis of normal and impaired language. Prerequisite: ENGL 209 or equivalent. S.

CSD 343. Language Development. 3 Credits.

The nature and development of linguistic content, form, and use from birth to adulthood are studied relative to the development of communication and speech; relative to cognitive, social, and physical development; and relative to cultural diversity. Corequisite: ENGL 209 and PSYC 250 or equivalents. F.

CSD 343L. Language Development Laboratory. 2 Credits.

Laboratory component of CSD 343. Students will practice collecting, transcribing, and analyzing language samples. Prerequisite or Corequisite: CSD 343. F.

CSD 400. School Programs in Speech-Language-Hearing. 3 Credits.

This course covers the educational model of service delivery and how the speech-language pathologist works collaboratively in a school setting to meet the needs of students with speech, language, and hearing disabilities. Prerequisite: CSD 333 and CSD 343. F.

CSD 422. Neuroanatomy of Communication Disorders. 3 Credits.

A study of the essentials that form the basis for neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology, and neurology, with a special section of study dealing with the neurological bases for speech, language and hearing. Prerequisite: CSD 231. S.

CSD 425. Language, Multiculturalism and Communication Disorders. 3 Credits.

Study of world cultures and their interactions with speech, language, and hearing disorders as it applies to the practice of speech-language pathology. Prerequisite: CSD 223. Corequisite: CSD 440. F.

CSD 431. Introduction to Audiology. 3 Credits.

Survey of audiology, specifically diagnostics and hearing disorders. Introduction to scientific principles and methods of administering, interpreting, and integrating components of the basic audiologic test battery, including case history/otoscopy, pure-tone air-and-bone conduction testing, speech testing, and immittance measures. Students will gain practical experience in administering the comprehensive audiologic test battery. Prerequisite: CSD 231, CSD 235, and MATH 103. F.

CSD 434. Aural Rehabilitation. 3 Credits.

Theories, technologies, and procedures used to provide aural (re)habilitation to individuals with hearing disorders. Specifically, how clinicians improve speech, language, listening, and communication strategies of individuals with hearing disorders in various environments across their lifespan. Prerequisite: CSD 343 and CSD 431, or consent of instructor. S.

CSD 438. Craniofacial Anomalies. 3 Credits.

An introduction to medical genetics and craniofacial anomalies and syndromes, the etiology of these disorders, and the assessment and treatment of related feeding and communication disorders. Prerequisite: CSD 223, CSD 231 and CSD 333. S.

CSD 440. Language Disorders I. 3 Credits.

This course covers terminology, causes, and identification of developmental language disorders. The focus is to introduce students to language assessment tools and techniques used with children of all ages. Students will be asked to study in detail a variety of standardized and non-standardized measures. The course includes practice in administering, scoring, interpreting, and reporting results of various child language tests and measures discussed in class. Prerequisite: PSYC 241 and CSD 343. F.

CSD 441. Language Disorders II. 3 Credits.

This course introduces students to evidence-based language intervention tools and techniques used with children of all ages. It is a continuation course from Language Disorders I. This course will review the knowledge of assessment procedures used to analyze various communicative behaviors and apply that information to intervention planning and procedures. Prerequisite: CSD 440. S.

CSD 484. Clinical Practicum I: Speech-Language Pathology. 3 Credits.

An introduction to the clinical process and speech and language intervention. Includes supervised observation of clinical intervention. F.

CSD 485. Clinical Practicum II: Speech Language Pathology. 3 Credits.

Continuation of the content introduced in CSD 484 with increased emphasis on the clinical process and clinical skills. Includes supervised observation of direct clinical intervention. Prerequisite: CSD 484. S.

CSD 486. Field Experience in Speech-Language-Hearing. 1 Credit.

Provides undergraduate CSD students the opportunity to follow professional Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) and/or Audiologists working in the school, hospital, or clinical setting. Students are required to complete a minimum of 15 hours observing in assigned setting over the course of one semester. Observation experience allows students to get a real-world view of working in the CSD field and also provides an overview of what CSD professionals must know to meet needs of clients with communication hearing disabilities. Repeatable to 3.00 credits. S/U grading. F,S,SS.

CSD 487. SLPA Practicum. 4 Credits.

The primary goal of the course is to provide the student with information and an opportunity for the process of obtaining 100 hours of clinical experience to work as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant in the school or medical setting. Information will be provided on the certification process for the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association as an SLPA. Prerequisite: CSD 484 and CSD 485, the practicum sequence for undergraduate students; students will verify completion of 25 undergraduate guided observation hours. F,S,SS.

CSD 489. Senior Honors Thesis. 1-8 Credits.

Supervised independent study culminating in a thesis. Repeatable to 9 credits. Repeatable to 9.00 credits. F,S,SS.

CSD 497. Special Problems in Communication Disorders. 1-3 Credits.

An examination of special topics in Communication Disorders. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Repeatable. On demand.