Communication Disorders
Courses
- General Education Course
Introduction to the field of Communication Disorders for majors. Discussion of various communication disorders, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the speech-language pathologist.
Theories of language acquisition; sequential patterns in the acquisition of prelinguistic communication, speech and language in relationship to general child development.
Introduction to articulatory phonetics; study of the International Phonetic Alphabet and practice in broad transcription of normal and disordered speech; discussion of social dialects. PR: CD 241, CD 228 Introduction to articulatory phonetics; study of the International Phonetic Alphabet and practice in broad transcription of normal and disordered speech; discussion of social dialects. PR: CD 241, CD 228
A survey of the physical and psychophysical bases of communication with discussion of elementary communication models. (PR: CD 101 and Permission) A survey of the physical and psychophysical bases of commun- ication with discussion of elementary communication models. (PR: CD 101 and Permission)
Introduction to developmental speech disorders; etiologies and symptoms; principles of assessment and treatment. Introduction to developmental speech disorders; etiologies and symptoms; principles of assessment and treatment.
Introduction to theoretical bases of developmental language disorders; etiologies and symptoms; principles of assessment and treatment.
Introduction to acquired disorders; etiologies and symptoms; principles of assessment and treatment. Emphasis on communication and swallowing disorders resulting from CVA, traumatic brain injury, the dementias and other neurological disorders. Introduction to acquired disorders; etiologies and symptoms; principles of assessment and treatment. Emphasis on communication and swallowing disorders resulting from CVA, traumatic brain injury, the dementias and other neurological disorders.
Experience with preschool age children; planning and implementing speech and language stimulation activities. Experience with preschool age children; planning and implementing speech and language stimulation activities.
Course designed to expose undergraduate students to research in the field of CD through participation in a Community of Research Practice and individual study under the guidance of a mentor. May be repeated for credit, not to exceed a total of 12 credit hours. (PR: admission to undergraduate program and permission of advisor)

Investigation into contemporary understandings of literacy using current communication and information technologies and resources. PR: Admission to undergraduate program; permission of instructor. Investigation into contemporary understandings of literacy using current communication and information technologies and resources. PR: Admission to undergraduate program; permission of instructor.
Introduction to voice and fluency disorders; etiologies and symptoms; principles of assessment and treatment.
Examination of assessment procedures for differential diagnosis of various communication disorders; a study of symptom complexes; interpretation of diagnostic data.
Examination of therapeutic procedures relative to speech and language disorders. Investigation into the clinician's role in case management as well as behavior management techniques. (PR: CE 426, CD 422L, CD 425, CR: CD 427L) Examination of therapeutic procedures relative to speech and language disorders. Investigation into the clinician's role in case management as well as behavior management techniques. (PR: CE 426, CD 422L, CD 425, CR: CD 427L)
Introduction to hearing disorders; examination of the auditory system, psychophysical processes and preferred practice procedures for assessment. Includes laboratory. (PR: CD 429, CD 439) Introduction to hearing disorders; examination of the auditory system, psychophysical processes and preferred practice procedures for assessment. Includes laboratory. (PR: CD 429, CD 439)
Introduction to basic signs and finger spelling. Overview of different sign systems. Introduction to basic signs and finger spelling. Overview of different sign systems.
Examination of various intervention strategies appropriate for individuals with hearing impairments, techniques for assessing degree of handicap. (PR: CD 460) Examination of various intervention strategies appropriate for individuals with hearing impairments, techniques for assessing degree of handicap. (PR: CD 460)
Guided and independent observation and analysis of the clinical process. Guided and independent observation and analysis of the clinical process.
A lab focused on special considerations related to providing speech language pathology assistant services in the public school setting.
Pre-req: CD 471 with a minimum grade of D and CD 471L with a minimum grade of D and CD 472 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of D.
Faculty
Associate Professors
Dixon, Holland, Rutherford, Childers, Clemins
Assistant Professors
Adams, Agnello, Brown, Cottrell, Dean, Kemper, Maxwell, Young
The first five courses in the program are available to all students who have declared Communication Disorders as their major:
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
CD 101 | Intro Communic Disorders | 3 |
CD 228 | Language and Speech Dev | 3 |
CD 229 | Anatomy Speech Mechanism | 3 |
CD 239 | Phonetics | 3 |
CD 241 | Intro Communication Science | 3 |
Upon completion of these courses, students may apply to gain permission to register for upper-level CD courses. Applications are due prior to April 30/November 30 of the year in which this is sought.
Permission to Continue in the CD Program
Category A
- Those with a grade of C or better in all pre-CD courses and faculty approval are guaranteed continuation in the program; and
- Must meet all the following criteria:
a. 3.0 or higher overall GPA
b. 3.0 or higher MU GPA
c. 3.0 or higher CD GPA*,
Category B
1. These applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis as space is available and are eligible to apply to the CD program; however, permission to continue in the program is not guaranteed.
2. Must have a grade of C or better and faculty approval in:
-
Course List Code Title Credit Hours CD 101 Intro Communic Disorders 3 CD 241 Intro Communication Science 3 CD 228 Language and Speech Dev 3 CD 229 Anatomy Speech Mechanism 3 CD 239 Phonetics 3
- Once students are permitted to continue in the undergraduate program, they must maintain the minimum requirements of 2.5 GPA (which includes the following 3 categories:
- 2.5 overall,
- 2.50 MU
- 2.5 CD
- a grade of C or better in all CD courses.
Students may not repeat CD courses for the purpose of raising their GPA to maintain eligibility in the program.
Continuing students must complete the remaining degree requirements (academic coursework and clinical assignments) leading to a B.S. in Communication Disorders, a pre-professional degree. Students who apply for and/or accept clinical assignments are expected to fulfill the responsibilities of these assignments for the full semester. Students should consult the department chair, their academic advisor, and the clinic handbook regarding all academic and clinical requirements and standards specific to the program