Communication Sciences and Disorders
Undergraduate Programs
Description
The Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) Program provides curriculum for a major in CSD, pre-professional preparation in speech-language pathology or audiology, and supportive coursework for majors from other departments with interests in human communication and/or disorders.
The beginning courses concern the normal aspects of communication, speech, language and hearing—its nature and development, as well as introducing the student to the disorders of communication, speech, language, and hearing. Advanced courses are devoted to specific disorders in terms of their nature and treatment. The the undergraduate preparation culminates in supervised clinical practicum experiences in the Center for Communication Sciences and Disorders.
The minor in CSD (16 credits) is designed to acquaint students with the nature of human communication and disorders. One minor core course and 13 credits of minor specialization are required. There is considerable flexibility in the “specialization” portion of the program. Therefore, students are required to meet with a CSD advisor to identify classes that are appropriate for their plan of study.
Majors |
Program | Locations | Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication Sciences and Disorders BS | BS - Bachelor of Science |
|
120 |
Minors |
Program | Locations | Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication Sciences and Disorders Minor |
|
16 |
Policies & Faculty
Policies
Students completing course requirements under previous catalogs are advised to consult the department chairperson for appropriate course substitutions.
The minimum level of professional preparation in communication disorders requires the master’s degree. The department does not recommend bachelor degree graduates for professional employment in the field.
Admission to Major is granted by the department upon completion of the courses of CDIS 312, CDIS 322, CDIS 392, and CDIS 394, with a 3.0 grade point average. Students should seek admission to the program during their sophomore year or fall semester of their junior year and should work with an advisor in the department to plan a course of study. Permission to enroll in 400 level courses requires a 3.0 average in the following courses: CDIS 312, CDIS 322, CDIS 392, CDIS 394. In addition to the grade point requirement of 3.0, students may earn a final grade of “C” in no more than one course among the four. Any courses with a final grade of “C” or lower must be repeated and a grade of “B” or better must be earned to fulfill requirements for the major.
Students planning to major in an area of study in the College of Allied Health and Nursing have an advisor assigned to them. Questions and concerns pertaining to advising and the assignment of advisors can be answered by the student relations coordinator. Contact the Dean’s office for contact information.
GPA Policy. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to enroll in practicum (CDIS 495).
Refer to the College regarding required advising for students on academic probation.
P/N Grading Policy. All courses must be taken for letter grades by majors except those offered on a P/N only basis.
Contact Information
314 Clinical Sciences Building
(507) 389-1414https://ahn.mnsu.edu/academic-programs/communication-sciences-and-disorders/
Faculty
Graduate Coordinator
- Bruce Poburka, Ph.D. CCC-SLP
Department Chair
- Megan Mahowald, Ph.D. CCC-SLP
Faculty
100 Level
Credits: 3
This interdisciplinary course is designed to introduce students to health careers and related professions. It is a writing intensive course preparing students to become effective communicators within the context of health care settings.Prerequisites: none
200 Level
Credits: 3
Procedures for observing, describing, analyzing behaviors associated with human communication. Open to non-majors.Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-1B
Credits: 3
The first in a sequence of courses which aim at the development of skills in the use of American Sign Language as a form of communication with persons who are hearing impaired or deaf.Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-11
Credits: 3
Functional anatomy of the ear, common pathologies, and measurement of hearing and sound.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Classification and management of speech, language, and hearing disorders and how their effects can marginalize a population.Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-07
Diverse Cultures: Purple
Credits: 1-3
.Prerequisites: none
300 Level
Credits: 3
The second in a sequence of courses which aim at the development of skills in the use of American Sign Language as a form of communication with persons who are hearing impaired or deaf.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
The third in a sequence of courses which aim at the development of skills in the use of American Sign Language as a form of communication with persons who are hearing impaired or deaf.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Acquisition and sequences of phonological, syntactical, morphological and semantic features of language across the lifespan. Theory and research.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 2
Audiometrics is a clinical experience (practicum) for undergraduate students interested in speech-language pathology and audiology. Beginning and Intermediate Audiometrics consists of primarily observation of hearing evaluations in the Center for Communication Sciences & Disorders, Hearing Clinic. As the semester progresses, students will perform basic evaluation procedures such as tympanometry and/or otoscopy with clinical instruction. Students will engage in the clinical process from preparation for an evaluation through reporting out the results and making recommendations.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course is designed to provide the students with a comprehensive knowledge base of the auditory and speech sciences as they relate to communication disorders. The major emphasis is on the characteristics of sound and sound transmission and the relationship to speech perception.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Using IPA to analyze and transcribe the sounds of English, emphasizing understanding the process involved to produce phonemes in normal, culturally different and disordered speech.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Anatomy and Physiology with specific focus on structure and function of speech, language, and hearing mechanisms. Specific systems include respiration, phonation, articulation, hearing, and neurology (peripheral and central).Prerequisites: none
400 Level
Credits: 3
This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge base of various auditory and vestibular disorders. It will explore the effects of auditory dysfunction as it relates to communication, education and remediation.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 2
Types and characteristics of language disorders in children.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1
Lab associated with CDIS 402. Practice in applying course content to the language of children.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course is designed to provide students with a knowledge base of Deaf culture. The many facets of the deaf/hard of hearing person's life will be explored. The debate over cochlear implantation is discussed in great detail.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Continuation of Advanced Sign Language I: expanded study of Sign Language with emphasis on conversation skills and storytelling; continued expansion of knowledge of Deaf Culture and Deaf Community.Prerequisites: CDIS 306, CDS 307
Credits: 3
Students will learn the definition of central auditory processing disorders (CAPD), as well as the controversies surrounding the diagnosis of the disorder. The neuroanatomy and physiology related to auditory processing will also be covered in order to understand the diversity involved in the diagnostic and management methods of CAPD. Students will learn the appropriate test batteries, the diagnostic team involved, the inclusion of a multidisciplinary team approach and treatment/management options for CAPD. This course would be beneficial to education majors, CDIS majors, Educational Psychology.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills in the areas of literacy foundations, development, assessment, intervention and disorders. Students will engage in both clinical and academic writing in the context of literacy assessment and intervention.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 2
An overview of neuroanatomy and neuroscience and relationships between neuroscience and speech, language, and hearing.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Description, etiology, assessment and management of voice and resonance disorders.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 2
Audiometrics is a clinical experience (practicum) for undergraduate students interested in speech-language pathology and audiology. Advanced Auditometrics consists of administering hearing evaluations in the Center for Communication Sciences & Disorders, Hearing Clinic. Students will perform basic evaluation procedures such as tympanometry and/or otoscopy. Advance Audiometric students will also perform case history, pure tone threshold testing, Central Auditory Processing Disorder testing, and report writing. Students will engage in the clinical process from preparation for an evaluation through reporting out the results and making recommendations and serve as a clinical leader in diagnostic teams.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Habilitative audiology and the instruction of the hearing- impaired, including hearing aids, speech reading and auditory training.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1
Supervised observation of the diagnostic and remedial management of speech and language disorders. Pre-req: Concurrent enrollment in CDIS 434Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in CDIS 434
Credits: 2
Procedures and operation of the clinical program in communication disorders. Pre-req: Consent, concurrent enrollment in CDIS 431Prerequisites: Consent, concurrent enrollment in CDIS 431
Credits: 3
Description, etiology, assessment and management of speech sound problems.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Tests, measures, procedures and processes for the evaluation and diagnosis of speech and language.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1
Observation of clinical case studies.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 2
Presentation of clinical case studies.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course will explore transdisciplinary research design with emphasis related to the areas of allied health and nursing sciences and disciplines. Basic overview of research methodologies commonly utilized in health sciences and approaches to transdisciplinary research will be explored through review of original research. Students will be required to produce and revise scientific writing with specific focus on inter/transdisciplinary studies. Team-based problem centered research questions will be developed and investigated using transdisciplinary methodology with current health-related issues.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1
This course will explore interprofessional practices with emphasis related to the areas of allied health and nursing sciences and related disciplines. Students will learn how to interact with other disciplines. Students will be taught techniques to implement outcome-based interprofessional activities through project or community-based experiences.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-4
.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-6
Study of a specific disorder or aspects of communication disorders that are not provided in the current curriculum.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 2
A practicum course designed to train the student to provide competent clinical services to persons with communication disorders. The student will develop skills to conduct diagnostic sessions, design and implement intervention plans and write clinical reports. Pre-req: 3 of the following: 402, 416, 417, 438 (completion of or concurrent enrollment in 444). GPA of 2.8 in major courses.Prerequisites: 3 of the following: CDIS 402, CDIS 416, CDIS 438 (completion of or concurrent enrollment in CDIS 444). GPA of 2.8 in major courses.
