Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders

Communication Disorders (CDS) is an academic discipline that fosters the acquisition of skills and competencies in the areas of speech, hearing, language and swallowing. CBU’s undergraduate CDS major is designed to prepare students for graduate work in Speech Language Pathology or Audiology.

One of the leading national healthcare trends is the increase in hearing, speech, language and swallowing problems among the growing aging population. Furthermore, medical advances continue to improve the survival rates of premature infants as well as trauma and stroke patients. These trends will influence health care for the next generation and CBU seeks to strategically position itself to help train future healthcare providers. As a result, CBU offers the BS in Communication Disorders as an option for students who have the desire to work and serve individuals who have medical conditions related to speech, hearing, language and swallowing.

Communication Disorders Program Student Outcomes

Upon graduation from this program, the student will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an ability to assess basic communication processes.
  • Demonstrate an ability to assess basic swallowing processes.
  • Describe the anatomy and physiology of speech and non-speech breathing.
  • Describe the anatomy and physiology of phonation.
  • Describe the anatomy and physiology of articulation.
  • Describe the anatomy and physiology of hearing.
  • Describe the anatomy and physiology of swallowing.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the nature of speech, language, hearing and communication disorders.
  • Display the skills necessary in order to prevent communication and swallowing disorders.
  • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the scientific literature, understand and synthesize relevant information from it, and be able to convey this information both orally and in writing.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of standards of ethical conduct.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary professional issues.

Communication Disorders students will possess skill in oral and written or other forms of communication sufficient for entry into professional practice. 

Communication Disorders BS Program Requirements (59 units)

Lower Division Requirements

ALH 101 Introduction to Allied Health Professions

PSY 120 Life Span Development for Health Professionals

BIO 153 Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab

MAT 144 Introduction to Statistics

HSC 210 Ethics in Health Care

Lower Division Communication Disorders Requirements

CDS 101 Introduction to Communication Disorders

CDS 210 Hearing Science

CDS 220 Speech Science

CDS 230 Phonetics

Upper Division Requirements

ECH 320 Cognitive Development in Infancy and Early Childhood

ECH 365 Assessment of Young Children including Children with Disabilities

ECH 375 Early Intervention: Early Childhood Special Education

ENG 463 Language Structure and Acquisition

Upper Division Communication Disorders Requirements

CDS 310 Introduction to Audiology

CDS 320 Principles of Aural Rehabilitation

CDS 400 Special Topics in Communication Disorders

HSC 480 Research Methods

CDS 491 Internship in Communication Disorders

Upper Division Electives

Complete three (3) units from the following:

ANT 350 Language and Culture

CST 307 Deaf Ministry

HSC 305 Epidemiology

PSY 305 Developmental Psychology: Child

PSY 315 Developmental Psychology: Adolescence and Adult

PSY 338 Sensation and Perception

EDU 450 Bilingual Issues and Methods