This flexible 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.
This degree can lead to many rewarding opportunities, such as pursuing a graduate degree in communication sciences and disorders, or employment in a related field. The undergraduate training emphasizes the fundamental processes of speech, language, and hearing as a basis for understanding differences and disorders. This program also provides a broad education that can lead to employment in related fields such as healthcare, education, and public policy.
Speech-language pathology and audiology are two professions that can be pursued following a BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD). Professionals in these fields can assess and treat speech, language, hearing, and swallowing disorders in adults and children. Employment settings are diverse, and can include schools, early education centers, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, universities, and research labs. In many of these settings, CSD services are delivered within the context of a multi-disciplinary team. Job growth in speech-language pathology and audiology is expected to increase by approximately 20% from 2016-2026, faster than the average for all occupations (www.asha.org).
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.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
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 |
| Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan | Optional |
| Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
Purpose Statement
The overall purpose of the BS 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
This major requires 49 units distributed as follows:
Take the following 49 units:
ASHA Standard IV-A requirements (13 units)
Students enrolled in this plan may not enroll in or pursue the following due to the number of overlapping units:
This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a master's degree while simultaneously completing their bachelor's degree.
While completing the Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, students can start a Master of Science in Clinical Speech - Language Pathology at NAU.
Students accepted into the Accelerated Program should complete the following requirements:
Major Requirements
This major requires 61 units distributed as follows:
Take the following 61 units:
ASHA Standard IV-A requirements (13 units)
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.
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.