Degree: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Major: Communication Sciences

Program Overview

Typically, students who complete an undergraduate degree in communication sciences pursue graduate education in speech-language pathology or audiology. A master’s degree is the entry-level degree for professional clinical practice in speech-language pathology; a clinical doctorate in audiology (AuD) is the entry-level professional degree in audiology. Thus, for many students an undergraduate degree in communication sciences is a pre-professional degree in preparation for graduate study. The undergraduate coursework in the communication sciences curriculum emphasizes the basic processes and acquisition of normal communication in children and adults. Graduate study then focuses on the study of disordered communication.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to describe the impact of social, cultural, and linguistic factors on communication.
• Students will be able to identify how communication disorders impact quality of life.
• Students will be able to evaluate the research literature in communication sciences.
• Students will be able to describe the basic theories (behavioral, language, cognitive, neurological, physiological, physical, psychosocial and cultural) that account for communication function throughout the lifespan.
• Students will be able to describe the normal processes that are necessary or basic human communication and swallowing.
• Students will be able to explain the principles of the American Speech Language and Hearing Association's (ASHA) Code of Ethics.
• Students will be able to demonstrate effective oral and written communication.

Undergraduate Policies

For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Accelerated Master's Programs

Undergraduate students may participate in accelerated programs toward graduate or professional degrees. For more information and details of the policies and procedures related to accelerated studies, please visit the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Program Requirements

Students seeking to complete this major and degree program must meet the general requirements for bachelor's degrees and the Unified General Education Requirements. Students completing this program as a secondary major while completing another undergraduate degree program do not need to satisfy the school-specific requirements associated with this major.

Students pursuing the BA are required to take 45 credit hours of course work which includes study in communication sciences and disorders, psychology, and English/linguistics, as well as in statistics and research design. Undergraduate students may elect to take 400- or 500-level graduate courses with departmental/instructor permission.

Departmental Honors

Juniors with a 3.0 overall grade point average and a 3.25 average in communication sciences are encouraged to apply to the honors program. The honors program consists of one three credit hour course, COSI 395, in which the student carries out an independent project in an area of interest, under the direction of a COSI faculty member. Satisfactory completion of the project qualifies the student to receive the Bachelor of Arts degree with departmental honors noted on the transcript. Admission to the honors program is by faculty approval.

Additional information is available from each student's academic advisor.