Communication Sciences and Disorders B.S.
Total Semester Credit Hours = 120
Students majoring in communication sciences and disorders build a foundation in the sciences pertaining to speech, language, hearing, and swallowing. In addition, students survey speech and language disorders including speech sound disorders, fluency disorders, language disorders and hearing disorders. After they earn the Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, students will be qualified to seek a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, audiology, or speech and hearing science at accredited programs around the nation. Students wishing to work with their undergraduate CSD degree can get employment as speech language pathology assistants (SLPAs). However, the great majority of students join the major with the intention of pursuing the graduate degree, which is required for obtaining national certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and state licensure.
The UT Tyler Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders requires a total of 120 undergraduate credits. Of these, 48 credits ) must be in communication sciences and disorders (CSD), 3 must be elective credits, and 15 must be in sciences related to CSD that are required by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The linguistics course (COMD 3314 Linguistics for Speech Language Pathology) meets the credit requirements for the major, as well as ASHA basic sciences requirements.
Basic Program Requirements:
- Fluency in spoken and written English, and the ability to communicate ideas clearly and effectively
- Functional hearing and auditory processing skills that facilitate the effective processing and comprehension of the English language (spoken and written)
- Emotional maturity and mental stability
- Effective interpersonal and social communication skills
- A minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.8 to get into the major.
- 4000-level courses require minimum GPA of 3.0
Degree Requirements
In addition, students must complete the University’s core curriculum (42 hours). The 15 credits required by ASHA may also be used to meet the University’s Core requirements. A minor is recommended but is not mandatory.
After completing all required coursework (Core, CSD Major, and the ASHA CSD-related courses), students will be free to take any additional courses to complete the 120 hours required for graduation. Students are advised to take an 18-credit minor in an area related to CSD. Recommended minors include (but are not limited to) special education, psychology, health, counseling, biology, or health science. A minimum grade of “C” is required in all CSD courses.
Requirements at a Glance:
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 to be admitted into the program
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 by end of junior year and start of senior year
- 48 CSD credit hours
- 15 hours in basic sciences (required by ASHA)
- At least 36 upper division hours total
- 6 hours in geography, economics, computer science, mathematics and/or science, in addition to those otherwise counted as lower-division preparation, to fulfill the requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree.
A minimum grade of "C" in all Communication Sciences and Disorders courses.
Required (Core) Courses in the Major (Total number of courses required = 15)
| COMD 1306 | Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders | |
| COMD 2310 | Introduction to APA and Research Writing in Speech Language Pathology | |
| COMD 2311 | Phonetic Description of Speech | |
| COMD 2357 | Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Swallowing | |
| COMD 2358 | Anatomy & Physiology of Hearing and Language | |
| COMD 2359 | Speech Science | |
| COMD 3313 | Hearing Science | |
| COMD 3314 | Linguistics for Speech Language Pathology | |
| COMD 3318 | Language Acquisition and Development | |
| COMD 3341 | Introduction to Audiology | |
| COMD 3350 | Neurological Foundations of Speech, Language and Hearing | |
| COMD 4367 | Introduction to Language Disorders in Children | |
| COMD 4369 | Clinical Procedures and Clinical Observation in Communication Disorders | |
| COMD 4370 | Introduction to Speech Sound Disorders | |
| COMD 4372 | Introduction to Voice and Fluency Disorders | |
| COMD 4373 | Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation | |
Electives (One of the following)
Related Courses Required by ASHA: 5 courses (15 Credits)
Cultural Diversity (one of the following)
Developmental Psychology (one of the following)
| PSYC 2320 | Lifespan Developmental Psychology [TCCN: PSYC 2314] | |
| PSYC 4353 | Developmental Psychology | |
Introductory Biology (one of the following)
| BIOL 1301 | Introduction to Life Sciences I [TCCN: BIOL 1308] | |
| BIOL 1302 | Introduction to Life Sciences II [TCCN: BIOL 1309] | |
Introductory Chemistry or Physics (one of the following)
| CHEM 1305 | Introductory Chemistry I [TCCN: CHEM 1305] | |
| CHEM 1307 | Introductory Chemistry II [TCCN: CHEM 1307] | |
| PHYS 1301 | College Physics I [TCCN: PHYS 1301] | |
Statistics (one of the following)
Recommended Four-Year Curriculum
Freshman Year
Fall Semester (16 hrs.)
| ENGL 1301 | College Composition I [TCCN: ENGL 1301] | |
| MATH 1342 | Statistics [TCCN: MATH 1342] | |
| BIOL 1306 | General Biology I [TCCN: BIOL 1306] | |
| BIOL 1106 | General Biology I Laboratory [TCCN: BIOL 1106] | |
| | Language, Philosophy and Culture (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| POLS 2305 | Introductory American Government [TCCN: GOVT 2305] | |
Spring Semester (16 hrs.)
| COMD 1306 | Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders | |
| ENGL 1302 | College Composition II [TCCN: ENGL 1302] | |
| CHEM 1311 | General Chemistry I [TCCN: CHEM 1311] | |
| CHEM 1111 | General Chemistry I Laboratory [TCCN: CHEM 1111] | |
| | STEM (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| POLS 2306 | Introductory Texas Politics [TCCN: GOVT 2306] | |
NOTE: STEM-math recommended
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester (16 hrs.)
| COMD 2357 | Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Swallowing | |
| COMD 2311 | Phonetic Description of Speech | |
| COMD 2110 | Introduction to APA Style and Research Writing | |
| HIST 1301 | United States History I [TCCN: HIST 1301] | |
| | Social and Behavioral Science (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | Creative Arts (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
Spring Semester (15 hrs.)
| COMD 2358 | Anatomy & Physiology of Hearing and Language | |
| COMD 2359 | Speech Science | |
| HIST 1302 | United States History II [TCCN: HIST 1302] | |
| | Human Expression (Core, 3 hrs.) | |
| | ASHA Requirement (3 hrs.) | |
Junior Year
Fall Semester (15 hrs.)
| COMD 3313 | Hearing Science | |
| COMD 3350 | Neurological Foundations of Speech, Language and Hearing | |
| | ASHA Requirement (3 hrs.) | |
| | ASHA Requirement (3 hrs.) | |
| | Cognate Course (3 hrs.) | |
Spring Semester (15 hrs.)
| COMD 3341 | Introduction to Audiology | |
| COMD 3318 | Language Acquisition and Development | |
| | ASHA Requirement (3 hrs.) | |
| | ASHA Requirement (3 hrs.) | |
| | Cognate Course (3 hrs.) | |
Senior Year
Fall Semester (15 hrs.)
| COMD 4373 | Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation | |
| COMD 4370 | Introduction to Speech Sound Disorders | |
| COMD 4367 | Introduction to Language Disorders in Children | |
| | ASHA Requirement (3 hrs.) | |
| | Cognate Course (3 hrs.) | |
Spring Semester (12 hrs.)
| COMD 4369 | Clinical Procedures and Clinical Observation in Communication Disorders | |
| COMD 4373 | Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation | |
| | Cognate Course (3 hrs.) | |
| | Cognate Course (3 hrs.) | |
Total hours must equal at least 120 hours.
NOTES:
Core Courses - See UT Tyler Core Curriculum for full list of approved course(s).
AHSA and Cognate Courses - Consult with your advisor for additional information on degree requirements and schedule planning.
This is only a recommended outline. Because degree requirements do change, you should consult an advisor as well as the University Catalog, which is the only official document regarding baccalaureate degree requirements. The final responsibility for the selection, scheduling, and satisfactory completion of the degree requirements rests with the student.