Communication Sciences and Disorders - Major

The Bachelor of Science in communication sciences and disorders is a pre-professional program in speech-language pathology and audiology. Students who follow the major sequence and satisfy minimum course requirements and competencies also meet the requirements established by the New York State Department of Education for initial certification as a Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities. The program prepares students for graduate study in speech-language pathology, audiology, or deaf education.

Students are provided opportunities to apply their knowledge through work in the campus Speech and Hearing Clinic, as well as through off-campus service learning opportunities. Students pursuing initial teacher certification also complete a student teaching experience.

Students seeking initial TSSLD certification must take the LAST and ATS-W tests prior to student teaching. Both tests must be passed in order to earn certification. The state of New York requires that all persons working in the school setting, including teachers, be fingerprinted prior to entering the school setting. Conversion of the Initial TSSLD certificate to professional certification requires a master’s degree in speech-language pathology.