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Communication Sciences and Disorders
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Major in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Overview

The undergraduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders is a pre-professional program. A master's degree is the entry-level degree for the field of speech-language pathology. A clinical doctorate is the entry-level degree for the field of audiology. These advanced degrees are required for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's Certificate of Clinical Competence and Illinois Licensure.

All students receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders will have the option to pursue either advanced degree, since all proposed required coursework in the undergraduate Communication Sciences and Disorders major meets the prerequisite coursework for either graduate degree (M.S. in speech-language pathology or Au.D.).

Why Study Communication Sciences and Disorders?

Speech-language pathologists are involved in the prevention, evaluation, and treatment of persons with communication disorders. Speech-language pathologists assess and treat patients who have speech, language, voice, fluency, or oral motor disorders. They also assist people who wish to improve their communication skills through changes in vocal pitch, quality, or accent. Speech-language pathologists utilize special instruments and tests to develop individualized treatment plans for patients. Also, they counsel and refer clients to other professionals, teach, conduct research, and administer programs in speech-language pathology. The profession provides the opportunity to work in a variety of work settings including schools, community centers, health maintenance organizations, hospitals, clinics, hospices, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers.

Audiologists are involved with people who have hearing, balance, and related ear problems. They examine individuals of all ages and identify those with the symptoms of hearing loss and other auditory, balance, and related sensory and neural problems. They then assess the nature and extent of the problems and help the individuals manage them. Using audiometers, computers, and other testing devices, they measure the loudness at which a person begins to hear sounds, the ability to distinguish between sounds, and the impact of hearing loss on an individual's daily life. In addition, audiologists use computer equipment to evaluate and diagnose balance disorders. Audiologists interpret these results and may coordinate them with medical, educational, and psychological information to make a diagnosis and determine a course of treatment.

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Observation

In adherence to Standard V-C of the 2020 ASHA Standards and Implementation Procedures for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in SLP, students must spend 25 hours in guided clinical observation. Students must track and maintain their individual record of guided clinical observations in order to ensure that the 25 hours observation requirement is fulfilled. Some of these hours will be completed as part of CSD 332.

Please note that for these observation hours to count as guided, the practicing SLP must: 1) be ASHA certified, 2) have had their CCC for at least 9 months, and 3) have completed a minimum of 2 CEU hours in supervision. Both ASHA certification and completion of the supervision standards can be determined from an individual search by name on the ASHA website.

Hours observed of professionals who don’t meet these requirements will not count as guided observation hours.

Students will be required to provide documentation of the completion of 25 guided observation hours of ASHA certified professionals prior to beginning any graduate program or clinical experience in CSD.

Students can earn observe hours by:

  • Initiating contact with ASHA certified professionals outside of Illinois State University. Guided observation hours should be tracked on the following form linked below.
  • Subscribing to the Master Clinician Network to view recorded sessions of speech/language/hearing therapy. There is an annual access fee associated with this service. You will need to work with an ASHA certified SLP to acknowledge and approve these hours before you use this platform.

Download the Guided Clinical Observation form