The Programs
Scholarships
Master of Arts Communication Disorders
      Admission Requirements
      Degree Requirements
      Speech-Language Pathology
Doctor of Audiology
      For students with masters in audiology
      Admission Requirements1
      Degree Requirements1
Credit Limitation
CDO Course Descriptions

Renny H. Tatchell, Chairperson
443 Moore Hall, (989) 774-3472

Gerald Church, Professor and Director of Audiology Division, CCC-A, M.A. and Ph.D., Syracuse University. Acoustic reflex, acoustic immittance, auditory evoked potentials, electronystagmography, diagnostic audiology, amplification, temporal auditory processing, hearing-science.
Suzanne Coughlin, Assistant Professor, Speech-Language Pathology, CCC-SLP, M.A. in educational administration, Central Michigan University, Ph.D., Michigan State University. Clinical supervision, fluency, programs for special populations, neurogenics, clinical procedures.
Kathryn Atkinson-Goward, Clinical Supervisor, Speech-Language Pathology, CCC-SLP, M.A. Central Michigan University, Adult traumatic brain injury, adult dysphagia, adult neurogenic group therapy, multidisciplinary therapeutic processes
Dan F. Konkle, Associate Professor, CCC-A, M.A., Central Michigan University, Ph.D., Michigan State University, Pediatric audiology, auditory evoked potentials, hearing aids.
Theresa Jones, Clinical Supervisor, Speech-Language Pathology, CCC-SLP, M.S., Howard University, Infant-Toddler Specialization, Early Intervention, Sensory Integration, Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury, Voice, Multidisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Therapy.
Mark Lehman, Professor, CCC-SLP, M.A. and Ph.D. University of Michigan. Speech science, anatomy and physiology, dysarthria, voice in adults.
Deborah Martineau, Assistant Professor, CCC-SLP, M.A., Central Michigan University. Normal speech and language acquisition, language development in special populations, clinical supervision.
Susan Naeve-Velguth, Assistant Professor, CCC-A, M.S. and Ph.D., University of Minnesota. Rehabilitative audiology, American Sign Language, speech and language development of children with hearing loss.
M. Dawn Nelson, Assistant Professor, FAAA, CCC-A, M.S., University of Maryland, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University. Auditory electrophysiology, central auditory processing, vestibular assessment and rehabilitation, neuroanatomy.
Michael Nerbonne, Professor, CCC-A, M.A. and Ph.D., Michigan State University. Speech audiometry, aural rehabilitation of adults, communication disorders in the aging.
Connie Parkhurst, Clinical Supervisor, Audiology, CCC-A, M.A., Louisiana State University, Educational audiology, hearing aids, medical Audiology involving evoked potentials and dizziness evaluations.
Janet P. Patterson, Associate Professor, Ph.D., CCC/SLP, Kent State University. Adult neurogenic language, speech and communication disorders. Neurolinguistic/psycholinguistic bases of language and communication process and disorders, cognitive neuropsychology, adult dysphagia.
Ann Ratcliff, Associate Professor and Director of Speech-Language Pathology Division, CCC-SLP, M.S., University of Redlands, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin. Child language development and disorders, craniofacial anomalies including cleft palate, augmentative and alternative communication.
Gail P. Scukanec, Professor, CCC-SLP, Ph.D., Bowling Green State University; Neurogenic communication disorders, speech science, normal and abnormal aging processes.
Michael Stewart, Professor, CCC-A, M.A., Western Michigan University, Ph.D., Michigan State University. Hearing aids, hearing conservation, clinical supervision, private practice.
Bradford L. Swartz, Associate Professor, CCC-SLP, Ph.D., Michigan State University. Speech and hearing science, phonetics, dysphagia, anatomy.
Renny H. Tatchell, Professor and Chair, CCC-SLP, M.A., Central Michigan University, Ph.D., University of Connecticut. Fluency and voice disorders, laryngectomee rehabilitation, neuroanatomy, anatomy and physiology.
Gail Weddington, Clinical Supervisor and Coordinator of Aural Rehabilitation, Audiology, CCC-SLP/A, M.A. in SLP, Western Michigan University, M.A. in Audiology, Ohio University. Diagnostic and rehabilitative audiology, cochlear implant program.

The Programs
The Department of Communication Disorders offers the Doctor of Audiology degree for audiologists and Master of Arts degree in Communication Disorders for speech-language pathologists. The programs lead to clinical certification and are accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) Educational Standards Board. Central Michigan University’s Speech-Language and Hearing Clinics are accredited by ASHA’s Professional Services Board. CMU recognizes the Department of Communication Disorders as a Graduate Center for Excellence.

The research facilities of the department are contemporary, extensive, and of high quality. A range of state-of-the art instruments and software is available for specialized audiometric, acoustic and speech-language analyses.

Students and faculty study a wide range of speech, language, and hearing problems. The routine clinical population furnishes ample opportunities to carry out research projects, and many off-campus clinical facilities welcome student training and research activity. The clinic offers experiences in both individual and group treatment. There are opportunities available for pre-kindergarten and pre-school placements within the speech-language clinic. In addition, a number of students are afforded the opportunity to travel to local schools to work with school-aged children in programs which involve traditional speech and language therapy as well as phonemic awareness programs. Experiences with adult populations involve innovative therapy for all types of speech and language disorders, including those secondary to traumatic brain injury (TBI), aphasia and voice, among others.

Other noteworthy on-campus clinical programs are the Alternative Communication Technology (ACT) Center and the Summer Remedial Clinics (SRC). The ACT Center provides students with unique evaluative, research, and clinical experience with those in need of augmentative and alternative communication services. The Summer Remedial Clinics is a specialized six-week treatment program for children and adolescents with all types of communication disorders. The SRC offers opportunities for students to receive more than 50 supervised clinical clock hours.

Each semester, a number of graduate students are awarded competitive assistantships. These awards may be renewed for students whose academic achievement and clinical skills warrant continued support. Stipend amounts vary, depending upon the funding source. Appointment to an assistantship qualifies graduate students for in-state tuition rates.
Students who wish to apply for Graduate Research Fellowships are advised to take the GRE examination prior to December so that they can submit their scores along with their Graduate Research Fellowship applications.

In order for prospective students to receive full consideration for admission and financial assistance, applications and all accompanying documents must be received by February 1 for both the Doctor of Audiology degree and the Master of Arts degree for Speech-Language pathology for entrance in the fall semester. There are no spring semester admissions. (Early applications definitely are encouraged.) Admission to the graduate programs in CDO is a competitive process. Neither successful completion of an undergraduate degree at CMU or another university, nor meeting the minimal entrance requirements of CDO or the CMU College of Graduate Studies guarantees admission to the CDO graduate program. The number of students admitted each fall is governed by the number of available openings in the program.
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Scholarships
CDO-SLP Alumni Scholarship
Established in 1998 through alumni support, for a second-year graduate student in the Speech/Language Pathology Program in the Department of Communication Disorders.

J. Dean and Betty L. Eckersley Audiology Scholarship
Established in 1996 as a renewable scholarship for a graduate status audiology student within the Department of Communication Disorders who earned a minimum GPA of 3.5 as a senior with financial need as determined by CMU. Preference will be given to students from Isabella County, other counties of Michigan and transfer students from Mid-Michigan Community College who were recipients of the J. Dean and Betty L. Eckersley Scholarship. Application may be made through the Department of Communication Disorders.

Nicholas P. Redfield Scholarship
Established in 1998 by colleagues in memory of Dr. Redfield for a third-year Au.D. doctoral student who demonstrates a "client-centered" approach in clinical performance. Volunteer work and efforts to better the audiology program at CMU will also be considered in selecting a candidate for this award.
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Master of Arts Communication Disorders
Admission Requirements
In addition to the general university requirements, the student must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate credit and a grade point average of 3.0 or higher with no grade lower than a C in the major courses or courses determined by CDO to be communication-disorders related. A student who does not meet the above requirements may be admitted to graduate study on a conditional basis.

Degree Requirements
All students pursuing the Master of Arts in Communication Disorders degree must comply with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association national certification requirements and maintain a 3.0 GPA. All students concentrating in speech-language pathology must complete a minimum of 375 hours of directly supervised clinical experience under the supervision of an ASHA certified supervisor during their undergraduate and graduate programs. Of these, a minimum of 250 hours must be completed at the graduate level. Each full-time graduate student will be expected to enroll in clinical practicum each semester. Various clinical duties will be assigned in consultation with the program clinical director. In addition, graduate students will be expected to participate in the Summer Remedial Clinics as a student clinician during the summer following their first year in the graduate program. Additional courses may be required, depending on the student's academic background. The final determination of course requirements is made in consultation with the student's academic guidance committee.
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Speech-Language Pathology
All speech-language pathology graduate students will complete one of three culminating experiences prior to graduation. Students will conduct a research project resulting in 1) a thesis or 2) an independent study, or 3) will do a clinical internship at an off-campus site, write a paper describing and analyzing this experience, and present this paper to department faculty, staff and students.

Plan A (Thesis) Minimum Requirements
Required courses: (40 hours): CDO 798 (6),755 (3), 749* (12), 734 (3), 730 (3), 714 (3), 717 (4), 704 (3), 646 (3); or CDO 798 (6), 749* (15), 734 (3), 730 (3), 714 (3), 717 (4), 704 (3), 646 (3).

Professional course work electives (14 hours) approved by academic committee and selected from the following:
CDO 503 (3), 504 (3), 532 (1), CDO 537** (1-9), 544 (3), 621 (2) 637** (1-9), 638 (2), 640 (3), 701 (3), 702 (3), 705 (2), 735 (3), 737 (3), 738 (3), 740 (3).
 
Minimum 6 hours from***: 711 (2), 712 (2), 713 (3), 736 (3), 739 (3).

Minimum total hours: 54**

Plan B (Independent Study) Minimum Requirements
Required courses (37 hours): CDO 790 (3),755 (3),749* (12) 734 (3), 730 (3), 714 (3), 717 (4), 704 (3), 646 (3); or CDO 790** (3), 749* (15), 734 (3) 730 (3), 714 (3), 717 (4), 704 (3), 646 (3).

Professional course work electives (17 hours) approved by academic committee and selected from the following:
CDO 503 (3), 504 (3), 532 (1), 537** (1-9), 544 (3), 621 (2), 637** (1-9) 638 (2), 640 (3), 701 (3), 702 (2), 705 (2), 735 (3), 737 (3), 738 (3),740 (3).

Minimum 6 hours from***: 711 (2), 712 (2), 713 (3), 736 (3), 739 (3).

Minimum total hours: 54**

Plan B (Internship) Minimum Requirements
Required courses (40 hours): CDO 795** (6), 755 (3), 749*(12), 734 (3), 730 (3), 714 (3), 717 (4), 704 (3), 646 (3); or CDO 795** (6), 7491 (15) 734 (3), 730 (3), 714 (3), 717 (4), 704 (3), 646 (3).

Professional course work electives (14 hours) approved by academic committee and selected from the following: CDO 503 (3), 504 (3), 537** (1-9), 544 (3), 621 (3), 637** (1-9), 638 (2), 640 (3), 701 (3), 702 (2), 705 (2), 735 (3), 736 (3), 738 (3), 740 (3).

Minimum 6 hours from***: 711 (2), 712 (2), 713 (3), 739 (3).

Minimum total hours: 54**

*Client clock-hours are based upon student need as determined by academic guidance committee and Director of Clinical Services.
** No more than 1/3 of the total hours may be in variable credit courses, CDO 537, 637, 790, 795.
***Course work considered to be related to disorders of "speech."
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Doctor of Audiology
The deadline for receipt of all application materials is February 1st for the professional doctoral (Au. D.) program in Audiology. Admission requirements may be obtained from the Department of Communication Disorders.

The admissions committee will consider the applicant's undergraduate transcript, GRE scores and letters of recommendation. In addition, personal statements and relevant professional experiences will be considered. Applicants from non-English speaking countries must also submit a minimum score of 600 on the TOEFL. Since an audiologist interacts with patients, an applicant's maturity and interpersonal skills will also be considered. After the initial screening of paper credentials, an interview with each of the most qualified applicants will be used to select the final candidates for admission.

Students normally are accepted into the program on a full-time basis and maintain a course load of approximately 13 credit hours per semester. Exceptions to this are considered on a case by case basis. Each student is assigned a faculty advisor, who will help the student in course selection and monitor his/her progress through the program.

Doctors of Audiology are highly skilled in the wide array of diagnostic, remedial and related areas associated with hearing-impaired persons and their families. Although the Au.D. is not a research-oriented degree, students will acquire the knowledge and skills requisite to evaluate/interpret the existing literature, and will be required to synthesize and apply pertinent research knowledge to clinical practice and personal research activities. The first two years of study are devoted primarily to the mastery of the audiological knowledge base. Clinical experience evolves in scope and complexity, with the final two years heavily weighted toward clinical training in a variety of settings with practicing audiologists. Although the curriculum has the flexibility to incorporate the latest advances in the field of audiology, the current curriculum requirements are listed below in order of the year they are typically taken:

Year I (36 hours)
CDO 643 (3) Disorders of Hearing
CDO 720 (3) Anatomy and Physiology Underlying Neuro-otology
CDO 730 (3) Experimental Studies in Communication Disorders
CDO 731 (3) Diagnostic Audiology
CDO 740 (3) Neuroanatomy
CDO 751 (3) Speech Audiometry
CDO 752 (3) Amplification for the Hearing Impaired
CDO 759 (3-9) Introduction to Clinical Practicum: Audiology
CDO 762 (3) Advanced Amplification
CDO 771 (3) Advanced Auditory Assessment

Year II (33 hours)
CDO 750 (3) Advanced Hearing Science
CDO 754 (3) Pediatric Audiology
CDO 763 (3) Audiological Rehabilitation Consider- ` ations in Education
CDO 764 (3) Audiological Rehabilitation for Adults
CDO 769 (3-9) Intermediate Clinical Practicum: Audiology
CDO 773 (3) Advanced Amplification Fitting Strategies
CDO 781 (3) Electrophysiological Techniques in Audiology
CDO 783 (3) Advanced Electrophysiological Techniques in Audiology
CDO 853 (3) Psychosocial Aspects of Hearing Loss

Year III (28 hours)
CDO 744 (3) Occupational and Environment Hearing Conservation
CDO 782 (3) Evaluation and Management of Balance Disorders
CDO 849 (4-8) Advanced Clinical Practicum: Audiology
CDO 863 (3) Professional Issues in the Practice of Audiology
CDO 898 (3-6) Doctoral Project
CDO 995 (5) Clinical Residency

Year IV (18 hours)
CDO 995 (9-18) Clinical Residency

Progress through the program is based upon compliance with university grading standards. In addition, the student must successfully pass comprehensive examinations at the end of his/her second year of the program in order to gain acceptance into the third year of study.

The Au.D. degree will be awarded upon successful completion of course work, clinical practica, comprehensive examination, doctoral project defense, and clinical residency requirements.
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Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.)
Admission and Degree Requirements for Students who have a Master's Degree in Audiology

Admission Requirements1
1. Applicants must have a graduate degree in a field related to audiology, and either the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) granted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or a valid state license to practice audiology.

2. Applicants must have worked as audiologists for a minimum of 32 hours per week for at least four of the past five years and must have at least five years of professional audiological experience beyond the master's degree (including the CFY).

3. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their previous audiology graduate work.

4. Applicants must submit three letters of support.

5. Applicants from non-English speaking countries must achieve a minimum score of 600 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
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Degree Requirements1
Successful completion of the Au.D. requires a minimum of 36- 40 hours of course work beyond the master's degree and a GPA 3.0 or better. At least 24 of the 40 hours must be earned at the 600 level of above, and at least 18 of the last 21 hours earned at the 700 level or above. Normal progress through the program requires a course load of approximately 9 to 15 credit hours per semester, and 3 to 5 credit hours during summer sessions. Students are expected to take a least 6 credit hours per semester.

The minimum of 36 - 40 hours of coursework, including practica and capstone credit, are distributed among a "core" sequence that is taken by all students and an "elective" sequence determined jointly by individual students and their advisory committees.

Core Sequence (15-19 hours)
CDO 762 (3) Advanced Amplification for the Hearing Impaired
CDO 849 (4) Advanced Clinical Practicum: Audiology*
CDO 783 (3) Advanced Electrophysiological Techniques in Audiology
CDO 853 (3) Psychosocial Aspects of Hearing Loss
CDO 898 (6)  Doctoral Project

* May be waived based on student's professional experience.

Elective Sequence (minimum of 21 credit hours)
The student and an Advisory Committee, comprised of at least two faculty members from the Division of Audiology, will develop jointly a sequence of elective courses. As a minimum, this sequence consists of 21credit hours selected primarily from course offerings within the Au.D. curricula; however, upon review of the student's previous graduate coursework, professional experiences, and continuing education, electives beyond the 21 credit hour minimum can be assigned to the student's program.

1) Comprehensive Examination
Upon successful completion of 30 credit hours of academic coursework, excluding clinical practica, and prior to enrolling in more than 3 hours of CDO 898 - Doctoral Project, the student must pass comprehensive examinations consisting of a total of 12 hours of written evaluation broken down into the following content areas and times: Auditory & Vestibular Systems, Speech and Hearing Science (2 hours); Habilitative/Rehabilitative Audiology (2 hours); Clinical Professional Issues (2 hours); and Case Studies (2 hours). If a student fails the comprehensives, the student advisory committee may require additional coursework before the student may retake comprehensives.

2) Practica
Students are required to enroll in CDO 849 - Advanced Clinical Practicum: Audiology for four (4) credit hours during their first semester of coursework. This requirement may be waived by the student's advisory committee upon consideration of the student's previous professional clinical experience. Conversely, the advisory committee may require additional practica depending upon performance in CDO 849.

3) Capstone Experience
Student must complete CDO 898 - Doctoral Project for a total of 6 credit hours. Students may enroll for the capstone experience as variable credit in blocks ranging from 1-6 credit hours. Concurrent with enrollment in CDO 898 the student will select a capstone project director who must be a graduate faculty member in the Division of Audiology. The student, in consultation with the capstone project director, will form a capstone project committee comprised of two additional graduate faculty members. The capstone project director will serve as chairperson of the capstone project committee and at least one of the other two members must be an Audiologist.

Prior to initiating the capstone project, it must be approved by the capstone committee and by the College of Graduate Studies. Upon completion of the capstone project, the student must present it to the committee in an acceptable format. In addition, the student must pass an oral examination over the completed capstone project. The capstone project committee will determine if the student receives credit for CDO 898.


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Credit Limitation. Courses in the department that are subject to graduate credit limitation under the policy concerning unspecified content or variable credit are the following: CDO 537, 637, 741, 749, 790.
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