Nov 10, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Communication Sciences and Disorders - Major


The major in communication sciences and disorders provides a strong foundation in communication and basic speech and hearing sciences. As part of a pre-professional program in speech-language pathology and audiology, students explore the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of speech, hearing, and language to prepare for graduate study in speech-language pathology, audiology, and other fields. Students who meet program requirements may apply to do closely-supervised clinical work in the on-campus Speech and Language Clinic or in off-campus experiential learning opportunities.

Certification as a Teacher of Students with Speech & Language Disabilities (TSSLD) is the credential needed to work as a speech-language pathologist in schools in New York State. Undergraduate CSD students who fulfill prerequisites and meet GPA requirements may complete some of the preparatory coursework and clinical experiences required for this credential. Student teaching and other related coursework for initial TSSLD certification is completed in the Nazareth University graduate program in speech-language pathology.


Direct Admit B.S./M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology  

A Direct Admit combined BS/MS in speech-language pathology is available to highly qualified undergraduate students who are also seeking the graduate degree. Application to this accelerated program takes place in the junior year.  A minimum major GPA of 3.5, successful completion of six credits of clinical coursework, and demonstration of professional skills and college-level writing are required for admission. Graduate coursework begins in the last semester of the senior year, allowing students to complete the B.S. and M.S. degrees in 13 semesters, rather than the 14 semesters required by the traditional undergraduate and graduate programs combined. 

Student Accounts and Financial Aid Note:  During the first four years of this program, full-time enrolled students will be charged full-time undergraduate tuition and fees and they will continue to receive all eligible Nazareth University undergraduate scholarships. All federal financial aid (Direct Loans, Parent PLUS loans, PELL grant, SEOG, Perkins, etc.) and NYS financial aid (NYS TAP, NYS Merit, etc.) eligibility will be based solely upon undergraduate coursework required for undergraduate degree completion, particularly during the spring semester of the senior year. After the completion of the senior year, and after a BS.CSD degree has been conferred, the student will be charged graduate tuition and fees and they will be eligible for graduate federal student aid only; Nazareth University undergraduate scholarships will no longer be awarded.


Student Learning Outcomes

  1. CSD undergraduates demonstrate knowledge of basic human communication and swallowing processes, including the appropriate biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural bases.
  2. CSD undergraduates demonstrate knowledge of communication and swallowing disorders and differences, including the appropriate etiologies, characteristics, and anatomical/physiological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, linguistic, and cultural correlates.
  3. CSD undergraduates who participate in clinical experiences demonstrate knowledge and skills related to prevention, assessment, and intervention for individuals with communication disorders.

Core Curriculum Requirements


All Nazareth students complete Core Curriculum coursework as part of their degree requirements. The Core provides a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences while guiding students to pose and explore their own intellectual questions. See Academic Policies and Procedures  for specific core curriculum requirements. 

Communication Sciences and Disorders Core


The following courses are required for all Communication Science and Disorders majors. 

Communication Sciences and Disorders Senior Experience


As a part of the Senior Experience, students participate in two senior courses and a senior seminar, which is the capstone for all CSD majors. These courses promote the integration of liberal arts and the major by encouraging critical thinking, problem-solving, reflection on academic experiences, and discussion of ethics, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Graduate School and Teacher Certification Preparatory Coursework


The two sections below detail specific coursework required at the undergraduate level for students seeking admission to graduate programs in speech-language pathology and/or New York State Teacher Certification.

  • ASHA Requirements - Admission to graduate programs in speech-language pathology is competitive and requires completion of selected courses at the undergraduate level, which are listed in this section.
  • Clinical Track - Includes preparatory coursework and some of the clinical experience necessary for initial certification as a Teacher of Students with Speech & Language Disabilities (TSSLD), the credential needed to work as a speech-language pathologist in schools in New York State. 

ASHA Requirements


Applicants to graduate programs in speech-language pathology must have demonstrated knowledge of statistics as well as the biological and physical sciences.

Clinical Track


Students who fulfill prerequisites and meet GPA requirements participate in clinical experience at the undergraduate level. The clinical track includes preparatory coursework and some of the clinical experience necessary for initial certification as a Teacher of Students with Speech & Language Disabilities (TSSLD), the credential needed to work as a speech-language pathologist in schools in New York State. Student teaching and other related coursework for initial TSSLD certification is completed in the Nazareth University graduate program in speech-language pathology. A major GPA of 3.0 and other requirements must be met for participation in CSD*360 and 362L (students seeking to appeal eligibility for CSD*360 and CSD*362L should contact the department chair). 

Note - students accepted into the direct admit program must complete all coursework listed in this section, and in addition, must earn at least a B in CSD*359, CSD*360, AND CSD*362L.

Sample Program


FRESHMAN YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
CSD 103 Public Speaking     3 CSD 101 Introduction to the Professions of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology   1
CSD 132 Speech and Language Acquisition   3 CSD 201 Phonetics    3
ENGW 101 Exposition   3 ENGW 102 Argument and Research   3
ACS 101 Academic and College Success   1 PEQ 3
PEQ (FYS course) 3 PEQ plus lab 4
PEQ 3 Health & Wellness course (any semester) 0
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 16 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 14
 
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
Language Other than English (may require lab) 3 Language Other than English (may require lab) 3
Second Science (may require lab) 3-4 CSD 231 Anatomy of the Speech Mechanism   3
PEQ 3 CSD 333 Speech Pathology I   3
PEQ 3 CSD 333L Introduction to Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders   1
Integrative Studies (IS) course 3 PEQ 3
    PEQ 3
    EDU 475 Health Education, Child Abuse, and Violence Prevention Workshop   0
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 15-16 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 16
 
JUNIOR YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
CSD 232 Speech Science   3 CSD 335 Methods of Speech-Language Evaluation   3
CSD 334 CSD Speech Pathology II   3 CSD 335L Language Analysis Lab   1
CSD 359 Fundamentals of Therapeutic Methods   3 CSD 437 Hearing Problems and Testing   3
PSY 221 Development I: Infancy and Childhood   3 CSD 252 Psycholinguistics   3
SPF 204 History and Philosophy of Education   3 CSD 360 Application of Therapeutic Methods   2
Integrative Studies (IS) course 3 CSD 362L Methods Sp-Lang Tx Lab   1
EDU 485 Harassment, Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Discrimination in Schools: Prevention and Intervention (DASA Training)   0 Integrative Studies (IS) course/DEIB designated course 3
    CME 050 Core Milestone Experience   0
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 18 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 16
 
SENIOR YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
CSD 454 Seminar: Language Disorders in Children     3 CSD 457 Senior Seminar: Becoming an Engaged Professional   3
CSD 438 Aural Rehabilitation   3 Statistics 3
Electives 6-9 Electives 6-9
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 12-15 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 12-15