BA in Communication Sciences and Disorders

The preprofessional, undergraduate major places primary emphasis on the general area of communication sciences and disorders. The major, consisting of 49 credit hours, involves a combined curriculum in speech-language pathology and audiology. Students should work closely with advisors to ensure proper course selection for certification and degree. A check sheet of requirements is available from the College of Health Professions and the department office, 401 Ahlberg Hall.

All students who intend to pursue a graduate degree in this field (MA or AuD) must have coursework in biological sciences (content area related to human or animal sciences), physical sciences (physics or chemistry), social/behavioral sciences (psychology, sociology, anthropology or public health), and statistics (stand-alone course required). These courses must have received a letter grade of C (2.000 points per credit hour) or higher to meet ASHA certification and Kansas licensure requirements. Consult an advisor for appropriate coursework.

Clinical Certification

The communication sciences and disorders undergraduate major may be applied toward certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensure by the state of Kansas upon completion of the required graduate program. ASHA certification requires a master’s degree, with major emphasis in speech-language pathology. A professional doctorate degree is required for certification in audiology.

Admission

Students should request application materials for admission to the major in the CSD department, or obtain application materials online, prior to enrolling in their last semester of prerequisite courses, typically in the spring semester of the sophomore year. The application deadline for fall semester admission is April 1; November 1 for spring semester admission.

Admission requirements include:

1. An overall GPA of 3.000; and
2. The completion of the following courses with a grade that generates at least 3.000 credit points per credit hour in each course:

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credit Hours
   CSD 111	Disorders of Human Communication	3
   CSD 301	Basic Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism	2
   CSD 302	Basic Anatomy and Physiology of the Auditory System	2
   CSD 304	Early Language Development	3
   CSD 306	Applied Phonetics	3

   Students can be currently enrolled in those courses offered during the semester in which the application is made.

Once admitted to the undergraduate major, students are required to obtain a criminal background check at their own expense as part of clinically-based assignments throughout the program. Students should consult the beginning of the College of Health Professions section of the catalog for additional requirements which may be needed to participate in clinical settings. In addition, enrollment in CSD 425, is subject to departmental approval and proof of medical clearance (see department for details) prior to the start of the course.

Curriculum

Requirements for Graduation

Students in the communication sciences and disorders program are required to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.500, with no individual course grade in the major having a grade that generates less than 2.000 points per credit hour.

To be eligible for graduation from Wichita State University, students must have credit for 124 acceptable credit hours toward their degree and a GPA in the major of 2.500. Students transferring from a two-year college must complete at least 60 credit hours of four-year college work and 45 credit hours of upper-division coursework in order to qualify for graduation.

Honors Program

Scholarship and research are encouraged at the undergraduate level. Students who meet the qualifications should explore adding the honors program to their undergraduate major. Students who are not CSD majors and are involved in the Honors College, please contact the CSD department to enroll in these courses.

Admission requirements include:

1. Admission to the CSD undergraduate major or D/HH concentration;
2. An overall GPA of 3.500 in CSD coursework;
3. A one-page, double-spaced letter describing reasons for applying to the honors track, goals, and potential benefits to participating in the program; and
4. A CSD faculty member to mentor the final project.

Students admitted to the CSD honors track must complete the following:

1. Maintain a 3.500 cumulative GPA in CSD coursework;
2. Complete honors assignments in (minimum 12 credit hours);

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credit Hours
   CSD 416H	Introduction to Language Disorders - Honors	3
   CSD 490H	Dir St Sp-La/Audi	1-2
   CSD 506H	Acoustic and Perceptual Phonetics - Honors	3
   CSD 514H	Speech-Sound Disorders	3
   CSD 517H	Communication in Aging - Honors	3
   CSD 519H	Genetic and Organic Syndromes - Honors	3
   CSD 605H	Neuroscience of Speech and Language: Basic Processes - Honors	4

3. Actively participate in facilitated meetings with other CSD honors students;
4. Be a participating member of the WSU Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (WSUSSLHA) student organization;
5. Maintain a portfolio of assignments, activities and reflections throughout the honors track; and
6. Complete and present a mentored scholarship activity during the last year of the program.