Communication Sciences and Disorders, Minor

Introduction

The Minor in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) provides an introduction to the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology and serves as excellent preparation for many career paths including education, special education, medicine, dentistry, and any allied health profession. The minor in communication sciences and disorders provides in-depth study of typical speech, language, and hearing processes across the life span.

Required coursework includes an introduction to communication sciences and disorders, speech and language development, clinical phonetics, anatomy and physiology of the speech mechanism, and audiologic (hearing) processes. Students enrolled in the minor may select from among other undergraduate-level coursework in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, speech science, aural rehabilitation, and clinical observation to complete 21 semester hour credits for the Minor.

Students with an interest in preparing for a career in audiology or speech-language pathology should meet with the CSD advisor.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this minor will have developed:

1. Knowledge and critical thinking about basic human communication and swallowing processes including knowledge of:

• Anatomy and physiology of speech, language, and swallowing, and
• Neuroanatomy and neurophysiology related to speech, language, cognition, balance, and swallowing, and
• Typical speech sound production (phonetics) and the transcription of both typical and disordered speech, and 
• Acoustic and physiological analysis of typical and disordered speech production, and 
• Typical speech and language development, and 
• Typical hearing and the interaction and interdependence of speech, language, and hearing, and 

2. Understanding of the scope of speech-language pathology and audiology practice, and speech and hearing science, as well as

3. Introductory knowledge of principles of prevention, assessment, and intervention of speech, language, swallowing, and hearing disorders across the lifespan.