Communication Science & Disorders (Audiology & Speech Pathology)
Program Overview
Program Guide
Communication Science & Disorders (Audiology & Speech Pathology)
The College of Communication and Information offers a program in Communication Science and Disorders, with degrees available in BA and BS. This program has specialized admission requirements.
Description of Major
The basic mission of the School of Communication Science & Disorders is to prepare speech-language pathologists and audiologists to provide clinical services to individuals with speech, language, and hearing impairments. The curriculum leading to the baccalaureate degree offers general education in human communication and its disorders. Students learn about anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanisms; sound and its perception; the development of language and communication systems; the components of the English sound system; the neurological bases of speech, language and hearing; and strategies used in the management and evaluation of speech, language and hearing impairments.
Prerequisite Coursework
- Physical science (3 hours): One course from physics or chemistry
- Biological science (3 hours): One course from biological science
- Statistics (3 hours): One course from statistics
- Social/behavioral sciences (3 hours): One course from psychology, child development, or other related fields
Requirements
- Admission to the program requires an overall GPA of 3.0 on all college work attempted.
- Students must have a minimum of 52 hours, all statewide CORE coursework, FSU General Education coursework, and ASHA standards IVA requirements completed by the end of the term in which they apply.
- To qualify for graduation from the major, all undergraduates in Communication Science and Disorders must earn a grade of "C minus" or better for each required major course.
- Students are expected to maintain a 3.0 GPA in major coursework.
Major Program (Undergraduate) of Studies
The major program consists of 42 hours of coursework, including:
- SPA 2001 (3 hours): Communication Science and Disorders
- SPA 4004 (4 hours): Normal Communication Development
- SPA 4011C (4 hours): Acoustics for Speech and Hearing
- SPA 4101C (4 hours): Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism
- SPA 4104 (3 hours): Neurological Bases of Communication
- SPA 4112 (4 hours): Clinical Phonetics
- SPA 4255 (3 hours): Developmental Communication Disorders
- SPA 4257 (3 hours): Acquired Communication Disorders
- SPA 4302 (3 hours): Introduction to Clinical Audiology
- SPA 4302L (1 hour): Introduction to Clinical Audiology Laboratory
- SPA 4321 (3 hours): Aural Rehabilitation I
- SPA 4056 (3 hours): Clinical Methods
- SPA 4800 (3 hours): Research Evaluation
- SPA 4930 (1 hour): Undergraduate Seminar in Clinical Observation
Graduate Program
A master's degree or clinical doctorate is required to qualify to be certified and licensed in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, respectively. The graduate program consists of 60+ hours of coursework.
Minor/Certification
A minor is not required. Although it is not a requirement of the major, students may elect to pursue teacher certification in the area of Speech-Language Impaired. This may be accomplished at the graduate level by being formally admitted to Teacher Education through the Office of Student Services.
Language Requirement
Students formally admitted into the Communication Science and Disorders major must achieve proficiency in a language other than English prior to graduation. Students may fulfill this requirement either by demonstrating proficiency at the intermediate level in a modern or classical language or at the advanced level in American Sign Language.
Digital Literacy
Either CGS 2060 (3 hours) or CGS 2100 (3 hours) will meet this requirement.
Oral Communication Competency
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. This requirement may be met with an approved college-level course.
Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
- Total Hours Required: 120
- General Education: 36 hours
- Prerequisite Courses: 12 hours
- Major Coursework: 42 hours
- Minor Coursework: 0 hours
- Language Requirement: 0-12 hours
- Digital Literacy: 3 hours
- Oral Communication Competency: 0-3 hours
- Electives: variable hours to bring total credits to 120
Mapping
Mapping is FSU's academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion.
Remarks
- A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at this University.
- Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
- The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.
- The B.A. degree requires completion of a foreign language through the intermediate level and 9 additional hours in the fields of history and humanities beyond liberal studies.
Employment Information
- Salary Information: varies
- Representative Job Titles Related to this Major: Audiologist, Audiology Assistant, Consultant, Speech Language Pathologist, Speech Language Pathology Assistant, Researcher, Speech Therapy Product Developer
- Representative Employers: Hospitals, Community Health Centers, Public Schools, Private Practice, Business and Industry, Universities, Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies