2019-2020

Communication Sciences and Disorders, Bachelor of Science

Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders

College of Health and Human Services

This flexible bachelor's degree offers you an opportunity to design a plan of studies, in consultation with an advisor, to meet your individual educational needs. You may choose this degree if you plan to enter an occupation that requires a broad general education, if you are seeking career advancement or personal intellectual enrichment, or if you are considering a preprofessional plan.
 

  • To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • At least 40 units of major requirments

  • Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.

  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 120
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 114
University Honors Program Optional
Progression Plan Link View Progression Plan

Purpose Statement

The overall purpose of the Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders program is to provide students with foundational knowledge of the biological, physical, behavioral and cognitive aspects of human communication. Courses cover anatomical and physiological aspects of speech and hearing, development of cognitive and linguistic communicative functions and related disorders, and aspects of professional practice.
 
Students who complete the program will be prepared for graduate studies in speech-language pathology, audiology, speech and hearing sciences, or related disciplines and careers.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Integrate phonetic science with anatomy, physiology and speech and hearing science.
  2. Summarize normal development of motor, cognitive, social-emotional, and communicative development from birth through adolescence.
  3. Define the role of the speech-language pathologist and audiologist in clinical service delivery.
  4. Recognize the etiologies of various speech/language related disorders.
  5. Apply ethical constructs to educational and health care situations.
  6. Distinguish the roles of the speech-language pathologist and speech-language pathology assistant when working in any service delivery setting.

Major Requirements

  • You may not pursue the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Certificate in conjunction with this degree. 

General Electives

  • Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.

    You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.

    We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

  • You may take these remaining courses from any academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you. (Please note that you may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.)

Additional Information

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.