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The program offers a four-year pre-professional bachelor's degree in communication disorders for students who wish to pursue graduate study in speech language pathology or audiology. Students may choose to obtain a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Art degree. The primary difference between the two degrees is the foreign language requirement for the BA degree. Both degrees include 47 hours in the area, which means students are not required to declare a minor. 

Before initiating formal training and experience in clinical practice, students in the Communication Disorders must directly observe 25 hours of speech/language evaluation or therapy. These observation activities are completed in conjunction with program courses. Undergraduate students begin training in elementary clinical skills in the first semester of the senior year (CDI 475 or CDI 476) where they participate in mentoring activities with clinician-trainees in the graduate program. 

The undergraduate program is organized to give students the broadest possible background in studies of general education, human behavior, and communication sciences and disorders. The program outline includes courses required to complete University Studies requirements, and Communication Disorders Program requirements. Although a minor is not required with a CDI area of study, students are encouraged to use electives to develop areas of interest that will support and augment their study of human communicative behavior. Students are encouraged to discuss the selection of elective courses with their advisor. Students should also keep in mind that admission to speech-language pathology programs across the country is highly competitive. Academic problems should be discussed with the student‘s advisor in a timely manner.

Declaring Communication Disorders

Students may declare communication disorders as a major at any time. However, students must be admitted to the undergraduate program prior to taking many of the program‘s required courses. To declare an area in communication disorders (CDI), incoming students should indicate it as their choice on their admission paperwork. Current students should meet with their advisor or make an appointment to meet with an undergraduate advisor in the CDI program.

Admission to the Undergraduate Communication Disorders Program

Students cannot enroll in any 400-level CDI courses until they have been admitted to the undergraduate communication disorders program. All students who have an overall grade point average or 3.0 or better will be admitted once they have completed 40 semester hours. 

Once admitted to the program, the student must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 and an area GPA of 3.0. Any student whose GPA falls below this minimum will not be allowed to take further CDI courses until the GPA meets the requirement or until the students has met with the program's retention committee.

Note: All students must follow the most current Bulletin when they declare communication disorders. Students are responsible for knowing program requirements and maintaining contact with their advisor.

Megan Smetana — msmetana@murraystate.edu