About this Program
- College: Public Health and Health Professions
- Degree: Bachelor of Health Science
- Credits for Degree: 120
- Contact: Junior/Senior: 2127 HPNP Complex; 352.294.8476 | Freshman/Sophomore: Email; G-205 HPNP Complex; 352.273.6400, option 1
- Additional Information
- Related Communication Sciences and Disorder Programs
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.
Students should follow the plan below for course choices.
The undergraduate program exposes students to information about
- normal aspects of speech, language, and hearing as they relate to human communication, and
- introductory concepts pertaining to the nature, assessment, and treatment of communication disorders.
Students complement the core major courses with various elective courses that align with their academic and career interests.
Upon successful completion of the major, students receive the Bachelor of Health Science degree. The majority of undergraduate students pursue graduate or professional training in a health field (e.g., speech language pathology, audiology or other graduate degree program); however, some students seek employment immediately after completing the BHS degree program, usually in organizations with either a health or education component.
Certified clinicians (graduate degree required) often on a team that may include psychologists, teachers, families, physical and occupational therapists, physicians, nurses, dietitians and social workers to screen, diagnose and treat individuals ranging from infants to the elderly. Professionals typically work in schools, clinics, hospitals, other health organizations and/or private practice. Communication sciences and disorders professions offer a high degree of satisfaction to their practitioners by making a significant impact on people's lives. Both speech-language pathology and audiology are growing professions with competitive salaries.
Course Requirements and Sequence
By the End of Semester Four
Students must have completed all college requirements:
- 60 credits
- All general education except diversity
- 18,000 words of the writing requirement
- These courses (or their equivalents) with minimum grades of C:
- PSB 3002 or DEP 3053 or CLP 3144; PSB 3002 is recommended strongly
- COM 1000 or SPC 2300 or SPC 2608
- PSY 2012
- STA 2023
By the End of Semester Five
Students must also have completed:
By the End of the Senior Year
Students must have completed:
- 120 credits, including all prerequisites
- 30 credits of core SPA coursework with minimum grades of C
- ENC 3254 with minimum grade of C; satisfies 6000 words of writing requirement
- PHC 4101 with minimum grade of C
- 12 credits at the 3000/4000 level
- 9 credits of PHHP electives
Majors should see a department advisor to create a plan of study, which becomes the contract for graduation.
Related Communication Sciences and Disorder Programs
Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to 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
- 2.0 GPA on all college-level coursework from all institutions
Semester 2
- Complete COM 1000 (or SPC 2300 or SPC 2608) with minimum grade of C
- Complete BSC 2005 or higher or PSY 2012 with minimum grade of C
- Complete 9 additional credits of general education courses for a total of 18 credits
- 2.3 GPA on all college-level coursework from all institutions
Semester 3
- Complete STA 2023 with minimum grade of C
- Complete 1 additional tracking psychology course (PSB 3002, DEP 3053 or CLP 3144) or 3 credits of physical science (CHM 2045 or PHY 2004 recommended) with minimum grade of C
- SPA 3003 recommended this semester if available, 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 27 credits
- 2.7 GPA on all college-level coursework from all institutions
Semester 4
- Complete all critical-tracking courses with minimum grades of C
- Complete all general education courses except diversity
- Complete the 18,000 words of the writing requirement
- 2.7 critical-tracking GPA based on all attempts
- 2.7 GPA on all college-level coursework from all institutions
Semester 5
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| IDS 1161 | What is the Good Life (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) | ||
| Select one: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Communication Studies (Critical Tracking) | ||
| Introduction to Interpersonal Communication (Critical Tracking) | ||
| Introduction to Public Speaking (Critical Tracking) | ||
| STA 2023 | Introduction to Statistics 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) | 3 |
| Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement | 3 | |
| State Core Gen Ed Humanities with International | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Three | ||
| SPA 3003 | Phonetic Theory and Transcription (Critical Tracking; if available this semester; otherwise select an elective) | 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) | ||
| Select one advanced psychology course: | 3 | |
| Physiological Psychology (Critical Tracking) | ||
| Developmental Psychology (Critical Tracking) | ||
| Abnormal Psychology (Critical Tracking) | ||
| Science Laboratory (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences) | 1 | |
| Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester Four | ||
| APK 2105C | Applied Human Physiology with Laboratory (Critical Tracking; highly recommended; or other Biological Science course; Gen Ed Biological Sciences) | 4 |
| SPA 3003 | Phonetic Theory and Transcription (if not taken previously; or elective) | 3 |
| Electives | 4 | |
| Gen Ed Humanities | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Semester Five | ||
| EEX 3093 | Exceptional People in School and Society (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| SPA 3003 | Phonetic Theory and Transcription (Critical Tracking; if not taken previously) | 3 |
| SPA 3011 | Speech Acoustics (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| SPA 3032 | Fundamentals of Hearing (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| SPA 3101 | Speech Anatomy and Physiology (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Six | ||
| ENC 3254 | Professional Writing in the Discipline (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| SPA 4004 | Language Development (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| SPA 4104 | Neural Basis of Communication (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| SPA 4302 | Audiometry and Hearing Disorders (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| Elective (3000 level or above) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Seven | ||
| SPA 4250 | Introduction to Speech Disorders (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| SPA 4321 | Audiologic Rehabilitation (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| Elective (college-approved; 3000 level or above) | 3 | |
| Electives (3000 level or above) | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Eight | ||
| PHC 4101 | Public Health Concepts | 3 |
| SPA 4050 | Clinical Observations in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| SPA 4400 | Introduction to Language Disorders | 3 |
| Electives (college-approved; 3000 level or above) | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
The 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
- Pass the undergraduate CSD written examination.
- Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.
Students in the Major Will Learn to
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Content
- Explain fundamental theories and principles of basic acoustics, psychoacoustics, (neuro)anatomy and (neuro)physiology as they pertain to the normal development of speech, language and hearing.
- Explain key concepts that pertain to the etiology and characteristics of speech, language and auditory disorders.
- Describe basic concepts that pertain to the assessment and treatment of speech, language and auditory disorders.
- Explain fundamental concepts that pertain to professional practice patterns and ethical standards.
- Explain fundamental concepts that pertain to the relationship between aging and communication, the effect of culture on communication and modalities of communication.
- Transcribe normal and disordered speech phonetically.
- Explain the impact of disease and disability on the health of populations.
Critical Thinking
- Apply clinical problem-solving skills to defend assessment and treatment choices.
Communication
- Present information accurately and effectively during an oral presentation on a topic related to communication sciences or disorders.
- Write a coherent analytical essay on a topic related to communication sciences or disorders.
Curriculum Map
I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed
| Courses | SLO 1 | SLO 2 | SLO 3 | SLO 4 | SLO 5 | SLO 6 | SLO 7 | SLO 8 | SLO 9 | SLO 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPA 3003 | I | I | I | |||||||
| SPA 3011 | I, R | I, R | I | |||||||
| SPA 3032 | I | I | I | I | I | |||||
| SPA 3101 | I | R | I | |||||||
| SPA 4004 | I | R | A | I | I | |||||
| SPA 4050 | R | R | R, A | R | R, A | R | R | |||
| SPA 4104 | I | I | R | I | I | |||||
| SPA 4250 | R, A | I, R, A | I, A | I | R, A | R, A | R | R, A | R | R |
| SPA 4302 | R, A | I, R, A | I | I | R | R | R | R | ||
| SPA 4321 | R | R, A | R, A | R | R, A | R, A | R | R, A | ||
| SPA 4400 | R, A | I, R, A | I, A | R, A | R, A | I, R, A | I, R, A | R, A | R, A |
Assessment Types
- Clinical analysis
- Case management reviews
- Exams
- Papers
- Presentations
- Additional assessments include:
- A summative assessment
- The undergraduate alumni survey