Undergraduate
Programs of Study
Communication
Disorders (CDO)
For information, please contact
Renny Tatchell, Chairperson,
774-1323,
2186 Health Professions Building
The
Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions
Department
Website
Why Study Communication
Disorders
Communication Disorder at
CMU
Communication
Disorder Major
Admission, Retention and Termination Standards
Additional Requires for ASHA
Certification
Communication
Disorder Minor
The Faculty
CDO Course
Descriptions
Why
Study Communication Disorders?
One
of every ten people has a speech, language, or hearing
problem. Communication disorders generally do not occur in a
vacuum – they can be related to other problems as well.
Social, emotional, educational, and vocational problems may
stem from or be aggravated by communication disorders.
Speech-language pathologists and audiologists are trained to
prevent, identify and treat communication disorders. They
work primarily in educational settings, medical and health
facilities, and private practice.
Communication
Disorders at CMU
To work as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist, you
are required to fulfill the academic and clinical
requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC)
of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
This certification requires completion of a master’s or
doctoral degree. Your study of communication disorders at
the undergraduate level must be carefully tailored to lead
into study at the graduate level.
The department offers a major in communication disorders,
which specifically prepares students for entry into graduate
speech-language pathology and audiology programs and for
other career opportunities. The minor in communication
disorders prepares students for career opportunities
particularly related to health and education as well as for
advanced educational opportunities.
The Department of Communication Disorders offers the Doctor
of Audiology (Au.D) degree for audiologists and the Master
of Arts (M.A.) degree in Communication Disorders for
speech-language pathologists. The undergraduate and graduate
level programs are designed to complement one another and to
lead to ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC)
for students who complete the graduate degree programs. CMU’s
academic programs in audiology and speech-language pathology
are accredited by ASHA’s Council on Academic Accreditation
(CAA). The clinical programs in audiology and
speech-language pathology are accredited by ASHA’s Council
on Professional Services Accreditation (CPSA).
Early advisement of students considering a major in
communication disorders is recommended. If you are
interested in a career as a speech-language pathologist or
audiologist, call the Office of Communication Disorders
(774-3471) and request advisement assistance.
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Major
Communication
Disorders Major
B.A.A.,
and B.S. degrees
With
the exception of CDO 494, courses taken Credit/No Credit do
not count toward a major.
Required
Courses (37 hours):
CDO 230 (3) Introduction to Speech, Language, and Hearing
Disorders CDO 330 (3) Language Development
CDO 331 (3) Introduction to Audiology
CDO 334 (4) Acoustic and Descriptive Phonetics
CDO 335 (4) The Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and
Hearing
CDO 338 (3) Introduction to Phonological Disorders:
Assessment and Treatment
CDO 339 (4) Clinical and Diagnostic Procedures in Speech-
Language Pathology*
CDO 440 (4) Child Language Assessment and Intervention
CDO 494 (3) Mentored Practicum in Communication
Disorders
CDO 495 (3) Clinical Experience: Communication
Disorders
CDO 531 (3) Aural Rehabilitation
Total:
37 semester hours
*
Students will fulfill 25 ASHA-required hours of on-campus
observation of speech, language and hearing services in
order to complete this course.
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Admission, Retention, and Termination Standards
Additional
requirements for all majors:
- 3.00 GPA in the major.
- Not less than a C in any single course in the
major.
- Courses must be selected in consultation with an advisor.
- Students will not be permitted to enroll in the same CDO
course more than twice.
-
Students must pass a speech-language proficiency
evaluation.
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Additional
requirements for ASHA Certification:
- Completion of an approved master’s or doctoral degree.
- Completion of the academic and clinical requirements for
a Certificate of Clinical Competence of the American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). For details,
see Department of Communication Disorders in the Graduate
Bulletin.
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Minor
Communication
Disorders Minor
B.A., B.A.A., B.S. degrees
This
minor will provide the student with some background in
communication disorders. However, it may not be considered a
minor for classroom teaching, and is not certifiable.
Courses taken Credit/No Credit do not count toward a minor.
Required
Courses (12 hours):
CDO 130 (3) Normal Speech and Language Acquisition
CDO 230 (3) Introduction to Speech, Language, and Hearing
Disorders CDO 331 (3) Introduction to Audiology
CDO 438 (3) Language Disorders in Special Education
Populations
Elective
Courses (8-10 hours) chosen from the following:
CDO 330 (3) Language Development
CDO 334 (4) Acoustic and Descriptive Phonetics
CDO 335 (3) The Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and
Hearing
CDO 338 (3) Introduction to Phonological Disorders:
Assessment and Treatment
CDO 440 (3) Child Language Assessment and Intervention
CDO 490 (1-4 Spec) Independent Study
CDO 531 (3) Audiologic Rehabilitation
CDO 544 (3) Communication Disorders in the Aged
ASL 101 (3) American Sign Language Level I
Other
electives chosen with consent of advisor.
Twenty-five
(25) hours of guided observation of diagnostic and/or therapeutic
activities.
Total:
20-22 semester hours
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The faculty: Laurie Bahlke,
Gerald T. Church, Suzanne S. Coughlin, Katie Goward, Theresa
Jones, Dan Konkle, Jane Lack, Mark Lehman, Susan
Naeve-Velguth, Dawn Nelson, Michael A. Nerbonne, Connie
Parkhurst, Ann Ratcliff, Sandra Rayner, Michael Stewart,
Bradford L. Swartz, Renny H. Tatchell, Gail Weddington
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