The undergraduate degree program in Communication Sciences & Disorders is for students who wish to enter the professions of speech-language pathology and/or audiology. These professions are concerned with the identification and treatment of communication disorders across the life span. Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology are interrelated fields concerned with speech and language acquisition, and require knowledge of biology, psychology, sociology, and linguistics. Because of interdisciplinary connections, many students find it manageable to minor or double major in Linguistics or Psychology.

An integral aspect of the Communication Sciences and Disorders program is the Cleveland State University Speech & Hearing Clinic, an on-campus clinic providing assessment and intervention for individuals across the life span with speech-language-cognitive and audiological concerns.

Undergraduate students who have completed required course work have the opportunity to participate in therapy sessions in the clinic under the direct supervision of a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist and/or audiologist.

The CSU chapter of NSSLHA (National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association) is affiliated with the national organization for undergraduate students and is open to all Speech and Hearing majors. For more information or to join NSSLHA, please contact clensslha@gmail.com.

Communication Sciences and Disorders Major, Minor, and Post Baccalaureate Requirements

Communication Sciences and Disorders Major

Required Courses: 43 Credits Hours Total (course credits are in parentheses)

• MTH 147 Statistical Concepts with Applications (3) or PSY 217 Behavioral Science Statistics (3)
• CSD 228 Phonetics (3)
• CSD 231 Introduction to Communication Disorders (3)
• CSD 232 Introduction to Audiology (3)
• CSD 251 American Sign Language I (4)
• CSD 335 Clinical Methods in Communication Disorders (3)
  • Prerequisites: CSD 228, CSD 231, CSD 349
• CSD 349 Speech and Language Development for Majors (3)
• CSD 351 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism (3)
• CSD 431 Basic Speech-Language Disorders (3)
  • Prerequisites: Gen Ed Eng/Comp, CSD 229 or CSD 349
• CSD 434 Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (1)
  • Prerequisite: CSD 335
• CSD 438 Dialect Differences in the Schools (3)
• CSD 481 Aural Rehabilitation (3)
  • Prerequisite: CSD 232
• CSD 482 Audiometry (3)
  • Prerequisite: CSD 232
• CSD 485 Speech and Hearing Science (3)
• CSD 486 Clinical Practicum in Audiology (1)
  • Prerequisites: CSD 335, CSD 482
• CSD 497 Senior Capstone (1)

Evening Program

It is not possible to complete the undergraduate Communication Sciences and Disorders major solely in the evening. The program attempts to offer a variety of required courses in the evening but cannot staff a complete evening major. Evening students should make an appointment with the Program Director to discuss the program and its offerings.

Communication Sciences and Disorders Minor

Students must earn 18 credit hours in CSD coursework.
Required Courses: (12 Credit Hours)

• CSD 228 Phonetics (3)
• CSD 229 Speech and Language Development (3) or CSD 349 Speech and Language Development for Majors (3)
• CSD 231 Introduction to Communication Disorders (3)
• CSD 232 Introduction to Audiology (3)

Any Two Additional Courses: (6 Credit Hours)

• CSD 351 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism (3)
• CSD 431 Basic Speech and Language Disorders (3)
• CSD 438 Dialect Differences in the Schools (3)
• CSD 481 Aural Rehabilitation (3)
• CSD 482 Audiometry (3)
• CSD 485 Speech and Hearing Science (3)

Post-Baccalaureate

Students who have already attained an undergraduate degree in something else and wish to switch fields may wish to take the prerequisites for the Master in Communication Sciences and Disorders program as a post-baccalaureate student.  Students wishing to do this apply as "undergraduate non-degree".

Required Courses: (24 Credit Hours)

• CSD 228 Phonetics (3)
• CSD 231 Introduction to Communication Disorders (3)
• CSD 232 Introduction to Audiology (3)
• CSD 335 Clinical Methods in Communication Disorders (3)
• CSD 349 Speech and Language Development for Majors (3)
• CSD 351 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism (3)
• CSD 481 Aural Rehabilitation (3)
• CSD 485 Speech and Hearing Science (3)

Required Courses for Entry into Graduate Program:
For individuals who plan on pursuing a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) has outlined 5 courses that applicants must complete upon entry to or while enrolled in during enrollment of the graduate program.

1.    One course in biological sciences (human or animal science:  biology, zoology, human anatomy and physiology, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, human genetics, veterinary science).

Recommended CSU Courses in Biological Sciences

• BIO 200 Introduction to Biology I

  • Corequisite: BIO 201 Introductory Bio Lab I

• BIO 266 Human Anatomy & Physiology

  • Prerequisites: Upper-level high school biology or BIO 106/BIO 200/BIO 266

  • Corequisite: BIO 267 Human Anatomy & Physiology Lab I

2.    One course in physics or chemistry.

Recommended CSU Courses in Physics

• PHY 102 Flying Circus of Physics

Recommended CSU Courses in Chemistry

• CHM 251 College Chemistry I

Corequisite: CHM 256 College Chemistry Lab I

3.    One stand-alone course in statistics.

Recommended CSU Courses in Statistics

• MTH 147 Statistical Concepts with Applications (3)

• PSY 217 Behavioral Science Statistics (3)

4.    One course in behavioral sciences or social sciences (psychology, sociology, anthropology, or public health).

5.    15 credit hours in basic human communication processes, including:

• anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing
• physical and psychophysical bases of speech and hearing
• linguistic and psycholinguistic aspects of speech and hearing (including communication across the lifespan- child development, child language and literacy development, geriatrics, and culture studies)

Recommended CSU Courses in Basic Human Communication Processes

• CSD 228 Phonetics (3)

• CSD 231 Introduction to Communication Disorders (3)

• CSD 232 Introduction to Audiology (3)

• CSD 335 Clinical Methods in Communication Disorders (3)

• CSD 349/549 Speech-Language Development (3)

• CSD 351 Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing Mechanism (3)

6.  ASHA Certification/State Licensure Prerequisites

• CSD 481 Aural Rehabilitation (3)
• CSD 485 Speech and Hearing Science (3)

 
For more information regarding these requirements, please visit:
https://www.asha.org/certification/course-content-areas-for-SLP-standards/
 

Honors and Scholars

Qualifying students may be admitted to the University's Honors or Scholars programs.  Details on the University's guidelines for admission into these programs are found on the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Honors College page.

Once admitted into the program, Honors and Scholars students will meet with the CSD Honors advisor and select a track from among 3 choices:

Research Track: (8 Credit Hours)

• HSC 484 Advanced Research and Writing in Health Sciences (3)
• CSD 495 (5)
  • 1-3 Variable credits per semester completed over 2 semesters for a total of 5 credits

Clinical Track: (8 Credit Hours)

• Choose one graduate level course from the courses allowed for non-matriculated graduate students:
  • CSD 510 Fundamentals of Research and Design (3)
  • CSD 535 Organization and Administration of a School Speech and Hearing Program (3)
  • CSD 561 Phonology Disorders (3)
  • CSD 564 Behavioral Neurology (3)
  • CSD 495 (5)
  • 1-3 Variable credits per semester completed over 2 semesters for a total of 5 credits

Cultural Competency Tract: (8 Credit Hours)

• HSC 505 Culture and Health Care (3)
• One course from the Culture, Communication, and Health Certificate (3) (See Undergraduate Catalog for details)
• CSD 495 (2)
  • Completed over 2 semesters for a total of 2 credits