Communication and Learning Disorders, BA

Required Courses in this Major:

• CDIS 2400 - Introduction to Communication Disorders 4 hrs
• CDIS 3200 - Clinical Observation Practicum 2 hrs
• CDIS 3311 - Normal Language Development 3 hrs
• CDIS 3320 - Language Science for Communication Disorders 3 hrs
• CDIS 3343 - Articulation and Phonological Disorders 3 hrs
• CDIS 3362 - Introduction to Audiology 3 hrs
• CDIS 3412 - Introduction to Phonetics and Phonemics 4 hrs
• CDIS 4315 - Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology of Speech and Language 3 hrs
• CDIS 4340 - Aural Rehabilitation 3 hrs
• CDIS 4341 - Diagnostic Procedures in Communication Disorders 3 hrs
• CDIS 4351 - Language Disorders in Children 3 hrs
• CDIS 4411 - Anatomy and Physiology of Speech 4 hrs
• CDIS 5360 - Speech and Hearing Science 3 hrs

Suggested Sequence of Courses:

Required for Communication Disorders

Note(s):

The following components are required in all degrees:
General education, major, minor, and validation of completion of:

• overall semester hours - 120
• institutional semester hours - 45
• overall advanced hours - 36
• institutional advanced hours - 24

Prescribed sequence of courses, if any:
Sequence of CDIS courses for a student who enters at the undergraduate level as a freshman or transfer student:

Fall semester of junior year: CDIS 2400 , CDIS 3200 , CDIS 3320 , CDIS 3412 , Submission of admission packet to the Communication disorders undergraduate program must be made by the second Monday in October. Students cannot continue in the CDIS sequence unless admitted to the program

Spring semester of junior year: CDIS 3311 , CDIS 3343 , CDIS 4411  
Fall semester of senior year: CDIS 3362 , CDIS 4315 , CDIS 4351  
Spring semester of senior year: CDIS 4340 , CDIS 4341 , CDIS 5360  

Acceptable minor fields:
Psychology and Child Studies

18 semester hours (6 advanced) in Psychology or a discipline approved by the faculty. All CDIS majors are required to take PSYC 3381 - Statistics  even if approved for a different minor.

Requirements for Admission to the Undergraduate Program in Communication Disorders Formal application to the Undergraduate Program in Communication Disorders is required for all students working toward the Bachelor of Arts degree in CDIS. Application is made through the departmental office in Jersig 120, when the following requirements have been met:

1. Completion of or concurrent enrollment in, a minimum of 60 semester hours and the following foundation courses: ENGL 1313 , ENGL 1314 , 3 semester hours of sophomore literature, MATH 1304 , PSYC 1305  and BIOL 1421 . Completion or concurrent enrollment in the following courses in the major: CDIS 2400 , CDIS 3412  and CDIS 3320 .
2. Students are required to take a Chemistry, Physics or Physical Science course as a CDIS requirement. Available courses that meet this requirement include PHSC 1411  or PHSC 1412 , or CHEM 1401 .
   
   No grade lower than a C in any foundation course listed above. Students may not take these foundation courses Pass/Fail.
3. A cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher
4. A grade point average of 3.0 or better for all completed CDIS coursework

Procedure for Applying to the CDIS Undergraduate Program
Each candidate for admission must submit for review by the CDIS faculty a portfolio in the form of a packet with materials arranged in the following order:

1. Completed data card (form provided)
2. A current unofficial transcript showing all coursework providing evidence of a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and a minimum CDIS GPA of 3.0, with no grades lower than C for foundation courses
3. A one-page, typed description highlighting college, volunteer or community experiences that influenced the applicant’s interest in speech-language pathology
4. Names and e-mail addresses of faculty members expected to submit letters of recommendation

The candidate will request written recommendations from two instructors of completed foundation courses. The candidate will provide recommendation forms to the instructors, and the instructors will submit the completed forms directly to the CDIS Department.

Portfolios and letters of recommendation are due in the CDIS Department Office on the second Monday in October for spring semester entry into the undergraduate program. Portfolios submitted after this date may not be accepted. If students fail to meet the deadline, they may be required to reapply the following year. Late portfolios will only be accepted with special permission from the chair of the CDIS Department. Students will be informed before early registration as to their status.

Standards for remaining in the CDIS Undergraduate Program

1. A minimum overall GPA of 2.75
2. No grade lower than a C in any CDIS courses
3. A minimum CDIS GPA of 3.0
4. Students may not take specified foundation courses or courses in the minor Pass/Fail

Students who fail to meet these minimum standards for eligibility will not be allowed to continue in the CDIS Program. A student may retake a class to improve their grade only once and will not be allowed to enroll in any additional CDIS classes until they regain eligibility by meeting the standards listed above. A student who is able to regain eligibility must re-apply for admission. Applications for readmission will be accepted in both fall and spring semesters.

Contact the Biliterate Certificate Programs Office for more information.