Communication Sciences and Disorders

major | UF Online

The Communication Sciences and Disorders major includes didactic and experiential activities for students to learn foundational skills necessary for success in professions such as speech-language pathology, audiology and communication sciences, all of which require graduate degrees.

About this Program

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 should follow the plan below for course choices.

The undergraduate program exposes students to information about:

  1. normal aspects of speech, language, and hearing as they relate to human communication, and
  2. 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

To be considered for admission at the junior level, students must complete these requirements:

  • Minimum overall and prerequisite GPAs of 3.0
  • For transfer students, AA degree or 60 transferrable credits (including general education and major prerequisites)
  • 18,000 words of the Writing Requirement

These courses (or their equivalents) with minimum grades of C:

BSC 2005Biological Sciences3
APK 2105CApplied Human Physiology with Laboratory4
Physical science (must be physics or chemistry)3
Science lab1
Select one:3
PSB 3002
Physiological Psychology (strongly recommended)
DEP 3053
Developmental Psychology
CLP 3144
Abnormal Psychology
PSY 2012General Psychology3
STA 2023Introduction to Statistics 13

By the End of the Junior Year

Students must have completed:

By the End of the Senior Year

Students must have completed:

  • 120 credits, including all prerequisites
  • Remaining 9 credits of core SPA coursework (SPA 4250, SPA 4321, SPA 4050) with minimum grades of C
  • 33 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
  • 9 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.

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
  • 2.3 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 tracking psychology course (DEP 3053 or CLP 3144) or 3 credits of physical science (CHM 2045 or PHY 2004 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 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
  • 3.0 critical-tracking GPA based on all attempts
  • 3.0 GPA on all college-level coursework from all institutions

Semester 5

Semester 6

Semester 7

Semester 8

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.

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.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) 3
MAC 1105 Basic College Algebra (State Core Gen Ed Mathematics) 1 3
Select one: 3
PSY 2012
 General Psychology (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences)
BSC 2005
 Biological Sciences (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Biological Sciences) 1
State Core Gen Ed Composition (Writing Requirement) 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
Semester Two
Select one: 3
BSC 2005
 Biological Sciences (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences) 1
PSY 2012
 General Psychology (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences)
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
Elective 3
 Credits15
Semester Three
Quest 2 (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) 3
Select one physical science course: 3
PHY 2020
 Introduction to Principles of Physics (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences) 1
CHM 1030
 Basic Chemistry Concepts and Applications 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences) 1
Select one advanced psychology course: 3
DEP 3053
 Developmental Psychology (Critical Tracking)
CLP 3144
 Abnormal Psychology (Critical Tracking)
Science Laboratory (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences) 1
Electives 6
 Credits16
Semester Four
APK 2105C Applied Human Physiology with Laboratory (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences) 4
Gen Ed Humanities 3
Electives 7
 Credits14
Semester Five
EEX 3093 Exceptional People in School and Society (Critical Tracking) 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
SPA 4004 Language Development 3
 Credits15
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
SPA 4400 Introduction to Language Disorders (Critical Tracking) 3
Elective (college-approved; 3000 level or above) 3
 Credits15
Semester Seven
ENC 3254 Professional Writing in the Discipline (Critical Tracking) 3
SPA 4250 Introduction to Speech Disorders (Critical Tracking) 3
SPA 4321 Audiologic Rehabilitation (Critical Tracking) 3
Elective (college-approved; 3000 level or above) 3
Elective (3000 level or above) 3
 Credits15
Semester Eight
PHC 4101 Public Health Concepts (Critical Tracking) 3
SPA 4050 Clinical Observations in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (Critical Tracking) 3
Elective (college-approved; 3000 level or above) 3
Electives (3000 level or above) 6
 Credits15
 Total Credits120
1

Or higher level course.

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

  • 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

  1. 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.
  2. Explain key concepts that pertain to the etiology and characteristics of speech, language, and auditory disorders.
  3. Describe basic concepts that pertain to the assessment and treatment of speech, language, and auditory disorders.
  4. Explain fundamental concepts that pertain to professional practice patterns and ethical standards.
  5. Explain fundamental concepts that pertain to the relationship between aging and communication, the effect of culture on communication, and modalities of communication.
  6. Transcribe normal and disordered speech phonetically.
  7. Explain the impact of disease and disability on the health of populations.

Critical Thinking

  1. Apply clinical problem-solving skills to defend assessment and treatment choices.

Communication

  1. Present information accurately and effectively during an oral presentation on a topic related to communication sciences or disorders.
  2. 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