CSD Major and Minor

The undergraduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Central Michigan University is committed to the development of students who are well prepared for graduate programs in Speech-Language Pathology and/or Audiology and have a foundation for becoming professionals devoted to improving the lives of persons with communication disorders. Our program provides student-centered learning opportunities through coursework, clinical experiences, service-learning activities, and faculty-guided research opportunities designed to promote critical thinking, high ethical standards, a commitment to lifelong learning, an understanding of the clinical process, and knowledge of speech, language, and hearing development, disorders, and differences.

Program goals

1. Graduates will have knowledge of the characteristics of speech, language, and hearing development, disorders, and differences.
2. Graduates will have knowledge of the materials and procedures used for the prevention, assessment, and intervention of speech, language and hearing disorders.
3. Graduates will know how to use the information gathered from the client, clinician, and literature to make evidence-based clinical decisions. 
4. Graduates will understand the professional and ethical requirements of speech-language pathologists and audiologists.

CSD major

A major in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) prepares you for graduate education in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology. If you are interested in Audiology, you could also complete the Communication Sciences and Disorders minor instead of the major and be eligible for graduate programs. As a CSD major, you will:

• Complete coursework to build your knowledge about normal aspects of speech, language, and hearing, characteristics of various communication disorders, assessment and intervention procedures used by speech-language pathologists, research methods used in the field of communication sciences and disorders, and evidence-based practice. 
• Gain hands-on experience in our on-campus clinics (Carls Center for Clinical Care and Education and Summer Speech-Language Specialty Clinics) through clinical observations and optional clinical practicum experiences.
• Give back to the local community through service-learning coursework supporting individuals with dementia and other cognitive issues in Crestwood Village, The Village of Rosebush, Isabella County Medical Care Facility, or The Laurels of Mount Pleasant. 
• Have opportunities to build relationships through involvement in one of our student organizations (Association for Future Speech-Language Pathologists and Pre-Audiology Student Association). 
• Have a chance to engage in volunteer activities serving the greater Mount Pleasant area, such as providing autism awareness and acceptance lessons in Mount Pleasant Public Schools, Renaissance Public School Academy, Shepherd Public Schools, Saint Louis Public Schools, and/or Beal City Public Schools.  

Pre-admission to the CSD major

The CSD major is 46 credits and can be completed as part of a Bachelor of Applied Arts (B.A.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. Regardless of the degree choice, you must apply for admission to the major. To be eligible to apply for the major, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be enrolled in or have completed all of the pre-admission courses.
  • CSD 230, CSD 278, CSD 330, CSD 331, CSD 335, and ENG 271*
• A GPA of 3.00 or higher in the pre-admission courses.
• Grade of C or better in each pre-admission course.

*ENG 271 is required for students who did not complete CSD 330 prior to fall 2025.

Students coming in without any credit hours or with a small number of credit hours usually complete these pre-admission courses in three to five semesters, while students coming in with a lot of credit hours typically complete these courses in one to three semesters. Because grades in these courses will determine whether or not you will be accepted into the major, you should consult with an advisor to determine how to schedule these courses.

Before applying for the major, you should meet with the CSD academic advisor, Dr. Stephanie Richards, to sign your intent to major. Once the intent to major is signed, you will be added to a CSD advising Blackboard Ultra shell where you will submit the major application and have access to other important advising information.

You will apply to the CSD major in the last semester of the pre-admission courses. Applications for continued enrollment in the spring semester are due December 1st and applications for continued enrollment in the fall semester are due May 1st. The CSD major application is available in the CSD advising Blackboard Ultra shell. If you have trouble accessing or submitting the application form, contact Dr. Richards, the CSD academic advisor.

CSD major courses

Following your admission into the CSD major, you will take the following courses in a three-semester sequence:

CSD electives

If you are interested in taking CSD courses in addition to the required major courses, several CSD electives are offered throughout the year. Some of these courses include CSD 130, CSD 297, CSD 432WI, CSD 490, CSD 495, CSD 512, CSD 538, CSD 540, and CSD 588.

CSD minor

The Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) minor will provide you with a background in communication sciences and disorders. Many students completing this minor plan to work in a field related to communication disorders, such as education or psychology; however, it may not be considered a minor for classroom teaching and is not certifiable. 

Students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in audiology sometimes choose to complete the CSD minor instead of the CSD major, as many of the courses on the major are not required by audiology graduate programs and the minor provides a foundation for application to graduate school in audiology. If you are interested in pursuing audiology, you should complete the following minor courses to meet prerequisite requirements for graduate programs:  CSD 230, CSD 278, CSD 330, CSD 331, CSD 431, CSD 463, and an elective.

If you are interested in the CSD minor you should meet with the CSD academic advisor, Dr. Stephanie Richards, to sign your minor. Once your minor is signed, you will be added to a Blackboard shell where you can access important advising information.

Speech-language pathology certification requirements

In addition to the major courses, students are encouraged to complete courses that are necessary for clinical certification through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Knowledge and Skill Skills Acquisition (KASA). These include: