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Communication Disorders
After serving as a concentration within the Rehabilitation and Disability Studies Department for more than ten years, Communication Disorders achieved major status in 2005 and is accepting new students. This preprofessional program prepares students for graduate work in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology or for employment as a Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA). Speech-language pathology assistants provide treatment to individuals with communication disorders under the direct supervision of certified speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Professionals with graduate degrees in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology assess and treat individuals with communication disorders such as: fluency (stuttering), voice, aphasia, swallowing disorders, hearing loss, articulation and phonological disorders, and language disorders. They often work in hospitals, clinics, private and public schools, or private practice. In order to become a fully certified/licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) or audiologist (Aud), students must complete an advanced degree.
What do our graduates do?
- Attend graduate school in Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, or related fields, such as: Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology, Special Education, Teacher of the Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing
- 90% of our students applying to graduate programs in either SLP or Audiology have been accepted to at least one program
- CMDS grads have been accepted at: University of Massachusetts, University of Connecticut, University of New Hampshire, University of Vermont, University of Virginia, University of Arizona, University of Northern Colorado, Vanderbilt, Brigham Young, Southern Connecticut State University , Nazareth College, Worcester State, Loyola (MD), Northern Arizona State, College of St. Rose, Northeastern, Mass. General Health Institutes and Boston University
- Work as Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs), primarily in schools
- CMDS grads are employed as SLPs, Auds, and SLPAs in hospitals, public schools, private practice, private schools for children with special needs
Highlights of the SC Communication Disorders Program
- Course of study provides students with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), required undergraduate prerequisites for graduate study
- Coursework is aligned with ASHA standards
- Opportunity for supervised observation and fieldwork in a variety of settings, including: private and public schools, early intervention, hospitals, and nursing homes
- Small classes with an emphasis on individualized attention, hands-on learning, and collaborative learning
- Caring faculty with a wide variety of clinical experience
- Individualized advising for all four years
- Opportunity for service learning, community service, and leadership opportunities
Course requirements:
Undergraduate programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders are structured to provide students with a strong foundation in the biological, physical, and social sciences; mathematics; and oral and written expression. Specific courses in Communication Disorders focus on developing an understanding of the normal processes of speech, language, hearing, and communication as well as beginning study of the various disorders that affect these communication processes. Students learn to apply what they have learned through observation of speech-language and audiology services and supervised fieldwork.1. General Education Program Requirements
(Click here for General Education Requirements)
In addition to fulfilling the general education program requirements prescribed for the college, students in CMDS take an additional course in each of the following areas: science, social science, mathematics
2. Communication Disorders Program Requirements:
- CMDS 101: Introduction to Communication Disorders
- CMDS 259: Clinical Phonetics
- CMDS 273: Introduction to Linguistics
- CMDS 353: Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing
- CMDS 355: Introduction to Audiology
- CMDS 363: Speech and Hearing Science
- CMDS 368: Articulation and Phonological Disorders
- CMDS 456: Language Acquisition and Development
- CMDS 462: Aural Rehabilitation
- CMDS 457: Clinical Procedures
- RHDS 384: Practicum
- RHDS 386: Internship
- RHDS 378: Manual Communication
- RHDS 379: Advanced Manual Communication
- RHDS 430: Children with Disabilities
- HSRS 101: Introduction to Health Care and Rehabilitation
- PSYC 250: Childhood and Adolescent Development
- PSYC 221: Abnormal Psychology
- PSYC 406: Psychology of Diversity
- EDUC 100: Introduction to Education
- EDUC 162: Introduction to Special Education
