A minor in Communication Sciences and Disorders prepares students interested in pursuing careers in audiology and speech-language pathology. Students gain exposure to various aspects of speech, hearing and language processes and disorders. Courses in this track are prerequisites for admission to graduate programs in these fields.

 

Required Courses:

 

CSD 222         Introduction to Communication Disorders (3 credits)

Introduces human communication disorders with a focus on the neuroanatomic, acoustic, biological, psychological, developmental, and linguistic principles underlying human communication disorders. Provides an overview of the field of speech-language pathology and audiology with an emphasis on the scientific aspects of clinical assessment and rehabilitation of clients.

Prerequisite(s): None

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STA 201         Introduction to Statistics (3 credits)

Develops an understanding of statistical methodology and use of critical judgment in analyzing data sets. Includes descriptive statistics, measures of central tendency, introduction to probability, both normal and binomial distributions, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, linear regression, and correlation. Emphasizes developing the practical skills of interpreting and reporting descriptive and inferential univariate and bivariate statistical information.

Prerequisite(s): None

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Choose five elective courses from the following: 

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CSD 300         Clinical Methods and Observation in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (3 credits) 

Develops students’ professional clinical skills while exploring the fields of communication sciences and disorders. Requires students to observe speech-language pathologists and audiologists providing clinical services to patients. Provides familiarity with various methods of clinical assessment and treatment, with an in-depth understanding of selection, treatment and maintenance of target behaviors. Build professional technical writing skills including health care writing topics and use of American Psychological Association Style. Explores professional 80 journal articles and evidence-based practice. Discusses ASHA code of ethics and professional issues. Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): CSD 222 (Introduction to Communications Disorders) 

 

CSD 301         Speech and Hearing Science (3 credits)

Discusses acoustics, psychoacoustics, and instrumentation used in hearing and speech science and elements of speech production and perception. Covers anatomy and physiology relevant to understanding the speech and hearing mechanisms.

Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): CSD 222 (Introduction to Communication Disorders)

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CSD 303         Audiology (3 credits)

Explores clinical audiology, along with the pathologies, etiologies, evaluation, and remediation of hearing impairment and loss. Discusses assessment and diagnosis of disorders, as well as current assistive and rehabilitative technology.

Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): CSD 301 (Speech and Hearing Science)

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CSD 315         Normal Speech and Language Development (3 credits)

Examines theories of language development. Discusses language milestones, cognitive and sociological bases for development of language, and bilingualism. Covers language development from birth through adulthood and school-age literacy development.           

Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): CSD 222 (Introduction to Communication Disorders)

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CSD 320         Language Disorders (3 credits)

Explores various language disorders in children from the pre-linguistic level through grade 12. Examines assessment strategies and procedures used to identify language disorders. Covers evidence-based intervention techniques, service delivery models, and interprofessional practice commonly used with pediatric language-disordered populations.

Prerequisite(s): CSD 315 (Normal Speech and Language Development)  

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CSD 333         Anatomical and Physiological Bases of Speech (3 credits)

Introduces the anatomical and physiological bases of communication. Focuses on the respiratory, phonatory, articulatory, resonatory, and nervous systems, and the contributions of each system to spoken communication. Discusses anatomical structures involved in linguistic communication within the context of all the body systems involved in speech production.

Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): CSD 222 (Introduction to Communication Disorders) and CSD 301 (Speech and Hearing Science)

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CSD 399         Aural Rehabilitation (3 credits)

Studies the options available for managing adults and children who are hard of hearing, with emphasis on psychosocial issues, counseling, amplification options and technology, interventions, and communication strategies.

Prerequisite(s): CSD 303 (Audiology)

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CSD 400         Phonetics (3 credits)

Examines how to perceive, describe, categorize, and transcribe the speech sounds in American English. Prepares students to transcribe consonants and vowels, connected speech, and individuals with speech sound disorders. Discusses speech disorders versus speech differences and how they are treated clinically.

Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): CSD 222 (Introduction to Communication Disorders)

 

CSD 402         Speech Sound Disorders (3 credits)

Covers disorders of speech sound production. Discusses biological, cognitive, linguistic, and ethnocultural systems influencing speech production, as well as contributing/causal factors, theories of acquisition, assessment, and treatment issues.

Formerly Disorders of Articulation and Phonology

Prerequisite(s): CSD 400 (Phonetics)

 

CSD 430         Neurological Bases of Communication (3 credits)

Covers basic neurological aspects of the anatomy and physiology of speech, language, swallowing, and hearing development. Explores neuroanatomy, cellular physiology, and critical organization of the nervous system.

Prerequisite(s): CSD 333 (Anatomical and Physiological Bases of Speech)  

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CSD 432         Introduction to Assessment in Communication Disorders (3 credits) 

Introduces key assessment principles and concepts in the field of communication disorders as it applies across the age and disorder spectrum. Specific assessment tools and tests are discussed and practiced. 

Prerequisite(s): CSD 303 (Audiology), CSD 320 (Language Disorders), CSD 402 (Speech Sound Disorders)