Communication Science and Disorders

College: Communication and Information
Degree: BA, BS
Specialized Admission: Yes

Description of Major

*Please Note: Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program is available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning.*

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. The baccalaureate degree also offers pre-professional education for graduate programs in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. The major professional educational and clinical experiences occur during graduate studies leading to the master’s degree in speech-language pathology or the clinical doctorate in audiology, which are the minimum educational level for entrance into the profession. Most states license speech-language pathologists and audiologists. In addition to practicing directly with persons having disorders, some professionals pursue research, teach, or enter into administration of programs and agencies in the field. This field has a shortage of personnel.

Prerequisite Coursework

Prerequisite Coursework: 12 hours
These courses may also be used to meet General Education requirements.

The following lists the common program prerequisites or their substitutions, necessary for admission into this upper-division degree program. Please note that not all courses within the listed prefix are acceptable. For all prerequisite questions, please contact Jennifer Kekelis, Assistant Director of Academic and Student Services, School of Communication Science and Disorders, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1200 via email: jennifer.kekelis@cci.fsu.edu

Physical science (3). One course from: PHY XXXX or CHM XXXX
Biological science (3). One course from: BSC XXXX
Statistics (3). STA XXXX
Social/behavioral sciences (3). One course from any of the following: PSY XXXX, CLP XXXX, DEP XXXX, EXP XXXX, SYG XXXX, SYD XXXX, SYO XXXX, SYP XXXX, FYC XXXX or FAD XXXX

Students without all of the above courses will be not considered for admission into the program, as they are required by the accreditation body (ASHA).

Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org .

Requirements

Admission Requirements to the Upper-Division Major
Students are admitted into this major for the Spring or Fall term; however, the sequence of major courses begins in the Fall. Admission to the University does not ensure admission to the major, nor does attainment of the minimum grade point average, as this is a Specialized Admission program. Formal application to the department is required of all entering majors.

Please visit the department website, https://comm-fsu-sm.smapply.us/ , regarding the application process and deadlines.

Minimum requirements for review of application include an overall GPA of 3.0 on all college work attempted; successful applicants often have much higher GPAs. Students must have a minimum of 52 hours (acceptable to FSU), all of the statewide CORE coursework, FSU General Education coursework and ASHA standards IVA requirements completed by the end of the term in which they apply.

Major Program (Undergraduate) of Studies at FSU: 42 hours
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.

SPA 2001 (3) Communication Science and Disorders
SPA 4004 (4) Normal Communication Development
SPA 4011C (4) Accoustics for Speech and Hearing
SPA 4101C (4) Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism
SPA 4104 (3) Neurological Bases of Communication
SPA 4112 (4) Clinical Phonetics
SPA 4255 (3) Developmental Communication Disorders
SPA 4257 (3) Acquired Communication Disorders
SPA 4302 (3) Introduction to Clinical Audiology
SPA 4302L (1) Introduction to Clinical Audiology Laboratory
SPA 4321 (3) Aural Rehabilitation I
SPA 4056 (3) Clinical Methods
SPA 4800 (3) Research Evaluation
SPA 4930 (1) Undergraduate Seminar in Clinical Observation

Graduate Program: 60+ hours
A master’s degree or clinical doctorate is required to qualify to be certified and licensed in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, respectively. Students are therefore encouraged to continue their studies. However, completion of the baccalaureate degree does not guarantee admission into a graduate program. Consult an advisor for details of program requirements or see the information about the School’s Speech-Language Pathology master’s programs at http://commdisorders.cci.fsu.edu/ .

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, Room 2301 Stone Building. This procedure is administered by the Dean of the College of Education and is distinct from admission to the School of Communication Science and Disorders. Teacher certification in the area of Speech-Language Impaired requires completion of a master’s degree in Communication Science and Disorders. Students may also apply directly to the State Department of Education for teacher certification in the area of Speech-Language Impaired if they have completed the required teacher education course work and have completed the master’s degree.

Additionally, the School offers a certificate in Developmental Disabilities; please see http://commdisorders.cci.fsu.edu/ for more information.

Language requirement: 0-12 hours
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 (2000) level in a modern or classical language or at the advanced level in American Sign Language (ASL 2160C). Students may satisfy this requirement either by proficiency testing or by taking coursework. All courses taken to meet this requirement must be taken for a letter grade; S-U grading will not be accepted. Contact the department for details.

Digital Literacy: 3 hours
Either CGS 2060 (3) or CGS 2100 (3) will meet this requirement.

Oral Communication Competency: 0-3 hours
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 Hrs. Required, B. S. or B. A. 120.
General Education 36*
Prerequisite Courses 12*
Major Coursework, B.S. 42
Minor Coursework 0
Language Requirement 0-12 (depending on testing/placement)
Digital Literacy 3
Oral Communication Competency 0-3
Electives to bring total credits to 120

*Prerequisite coursework may also be used to meet General Education requirements. Contact the Advising Center at (850) 644-7278.

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. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. You may view the map for this major at www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/.

Remarks

1. A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at this University.
2. Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
3. The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.
4. The B. A. degree requires completion of a foreign language through the intermediate (2200) level and 9 additional hours in the fields of history and humanities beyond liberal studies.

Employment Information

Salary Information: For more information go to: National Association of Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org) or the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm) provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Representative Job Titles Related to this Major: ( B.S or B.A for SLP assistants or AuD assistants, AuD for audiologists, and M.S or M.A Degree for Speech-language pathologists) Audiologist, Audiology Assistant, Consultant (speech, language, and/or hearing disorders), Speech Language Pathologist (speech therapist), Speech Language Pathology Assistant, Researcher, Speech Therapy Product Developer.

Representative Employers: Hospitals, Community Health Centers, Public Schools, Private Practice, Business and Industry (limited), Universities, Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies.