About this Program
- College: Public Health and Health Professions
- Degree: Bachelor of Health Science
- Credits for Degree: 120
- Contact: HPNP 4180 Undergraduate Student Services Academic Advising | Email
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.
Department Information
The Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences works to improve the lives of people affected by communication and related disorders through excellence and innovation in clinical training, service, and research.
Website
CONTACT
352.294.8476 (tel) | 352.273.6545 (fax)
P.O. Box 100174
1225 Center Drive
2150 HPNP BUILDING
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-0174
Map
Curriculum
Students in the Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) program should follow the course sequence outlined below for optimal academic progression. The undergraduate program provides foundational knowledge in two key areas:
- Normal Aspects of Communication: Students will learn about the typical development and functioning of speech, language, and hearing, and how these processes contribute to human communication.
- Introduction to Communication Disorders: Students will be introduced to the nature, assessment, and treatment of various communication disorders, laying the groundwork for future study in the field.
In addition to core courses, students are encouraged to select electives that align with their academic interests and career goals. These electives provide opportunities to explore specialized topics within the field of communication sciences and disorders.
Upon successful completion of the program, students will earn a Bachelor of Health Science (BHS) degree. While many students choose to continue their education in graduate or professional programs (e.g., speech-language pathology, audiology, or related health fields), some opt to enter the workforce immediately after earning their BHS degree. Graduates who seek employment often find opportunities in health and educational settings.
Certified clinicians in the field typically work as part of interdisciplinary teams, which may include psychologists, educators, physicians, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare professionals. These teams collaborate to screen, diagnose, and treat individuals across the lifespan—from infants to the elderly. Communication sciences and disorders professionals work in diverse settings, including schools, clinics, hospitals, private practice, and other healthcare environments.
Both speech-language pathology and audiology are expanding fields with strong job prospects, competitive salaries, and high levels of job satisfaction, as practitioners have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals with communication challenges.
Course Requirements and Sequence
By the End of Semester Four
To remain on track for the major, students must complete these requirements:
- Minimum overall and critical tracking GPAs of 3.0
- For transfer students, AA degree or 60 transferrable credits (including general education and major prerequisites)
- 24,000 words of the Writing Requirement
- These courses (or their equivalents) with minimum grades of C:
- BSC 2005 or higher
- Additional biological science (3 credits); APK 2105C is highly recommended
- other preferred courses include those with BSC or MCB prefix
- Physical science (3 credits); must be physics or chemistry
- Science lab (1 credit) (satisfied by APK 2105C lab if APK 2105C is completed to satisfy additional biological science requirement)
- Additional Social and Behavioral Science course (3 credits); courses in Sociology, Anthropology, or Psychology are recommended
- PSY 2012
- STA 2023
CSD Major Graduation Requirements
Students must have completed:
- EEX 3093 with a minimum grade of C
- 30 credits of SPA coursework (SPA 3003, SPA 3011, SPA 3101, SPA 4004, SPA 4104, SPA 4302, SPA 4400, SPA 4050, SPA 4250, and SPA 4321) with minimum grades of C
- PHC 4101 with minimum grade of C
- 120 credits, including all prerequisites and electives
Majors should see a department advisor to create a plan of study, which becomes the contract for graduation.
Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- Complete BSC 2005 or higher or PSY 2012 with minimum grade of C
- Complete 9 credits of general education courses
- 2.5 GPA on all college-level coursework from all institutions
Semester 2
- Complete BSC 2005 or higher or PSY 2012 with minimum grade of C
- Complete 12 additional credits of general education courses for a total of 18 credits
- 2.7 GPA on all college-level coursework from all institutions
Semester 3
- Complete STA 2023 with minimum grade of C
- Complete 1 additional Social and Behavioral Science course (Courses in Sociology, Anthropology, or Psychology course recommended) or 3 credits of physical science (must be CHM or PHY prefix; PHY 2004, CHM 1030, or CHM 1020 recommended) with minimum grade of C
- Complete science lab with minimum grade of C or S
- Complete 9 additional credits of general education courses for a total of 30 credits
- 3.0 GPA on all college-level coursework from all institutions
Semester 4
- Complete 3 additional Biological Science credits (APK 2105C is highly recommended, but other preferred courses include others with a BSC or MCB prefix)
- Complete all critical tracking courses with minimum grade of C
- Complete all General Education courses
- Complete the university Writing Requirement (24,000 words)
- 3.0 critical-tracking GPA based on all attempts
- 3.0 GPA on all college-level coursework from all institutions
Semester 5
- Complete EEX 3093, SPA 3011, and SPA 3101
- 3.0 prerequisite and overall GPA on college-level coursework from all institutions
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 6
Semester 7
Semester 8
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.
This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.
| Semester One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) | 3 | |
| MAC 1105 | Basic College Algebra (or higher level; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics) | 3 |
| Select one: | 3 | |
| General Psychology (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) | ||
| Biological Sciences (Critical Tracking; or higher-level biological science; State Core Gen Ed Biological Sciences) | ||
| State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| Select one: | 3 | |
| Biological Sciences (Critical Tracking; or higher-level biological science; Gen Ed Biological Sciences) | ||
| General Psychology (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) | ||
| STA 2023 | Introduction to Statistics 1 (Critical Tracking; must complete by the end of Semester Three; Gen Ed Mathematics) | 3 |
| State Core Gen Ed Humanities with International | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Three | ||
| Quest 2 (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 3 | |
| Select one physical science course: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Principles of Physics (Critical Tracking; or higher-level course; Gen Ed Physical Sciences) | ||
| Basic Chemistry Concepts and Applications 1 (Critical Tracking; or higher-level course; Gen Ed Physical Sciences) | ||
| Complete 1 additional Social and Behavioral Science course (Courses in Sociology, Anthropology, or Psychology recommended) | 3 | |
| 6000-word writing course (Writing Requirement) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Four | ||
| Additional Biological Science and Biological Science Laboratory (APK 2105C highly recommended; Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences) | 4 | |
| Gen Ed Humanities | 3 | |
| 6000-word writing course (Writing Requirement) | 3 | |
| Civic Literacy Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Five | ||
| EEX 3093 | Exceptional People in School and Society (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| SPA 3011 | Speech Acoustics (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| SPA 3101 | Speech Anatomy and Physiology (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Six | ||
| SPA 3003 | Phonetics (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| SPA 4104 | Neural Basis of Communication (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| SPA 4302 | Intro to Audiology and Hearing (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| PHC 4101 | Public Health Concepts (Critical Tracking; must be complete by Semester Eight) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Seven | ||
| SPA 4004 | Language Development (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| SPA 4250 | Introduction to Speech Disorders (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| SPA 4321 | Audiologic Rehabilitation (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Eight | ||
| SPA 4400 | Introduction to Language Disorders (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| SPA 4050 | Clinical Observations in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| Electives | 9 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
This undergraduate program provides an understanding of the expected processes involved in human communication so that students will be prepared for graduate programs where they will be immersed in dealing with atypical or pathological conditions related to speech, language, swallowing and/or hearing.
Before Graduating Students Must
- Earn minimum grades of C in all Communication Sciences and Disorders core courses.
- Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.
Students in the Major Will Learn to
Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs
Content
- Explain fundamental principles of anatomy, acoustics, neuroanatomy, and neurophysiology as they relate to the normal development, assessment, and treatment of speech, language, and auditory functions.
- Describe the etiology, characteristics, and management of speech, language, and auditory disorders, considering the influence of aging and disease on communication and health.
Critical Thinking
- Apply clinical problem-solving skills to analyze case scenarios, defend assessment and treatment decisions, and evaluate their implications for diverse populations.
Communication
- Present information accurately and effectively through both oral presentations and analytical writing on topics related to communication sciences or disorders.
Curriculum Map
I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed
| Courses | SLO 1 | SLO 2 | SLO 3 | SLO 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPA 3003 | R | |||
| SPA 3011 | I | |||
| SPA 3101 | I, A | |||
| SPA 4004 | I | I, A | ||
| SPA 4050 | R | R, A | ||
| SPA 4104 | I, A | |||
| SPA 4250 | I, A | |||
| SPA 4302 | R, A | R | ||
| SPA 4321 | R | I, A | I, A | |
| SPA 4400 | R | R | I, A | R |
Assessment Types
- Clinical analysis
- Case management reviews
- Exams
- Papers
- Presentations
- Additional assessments include:
- A summative assessment
- The undergraduate alumni survey