Undergraduate Program

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The major for clinicians of communication disorders (references number 595) requires 128 hours and leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. The program includes 44 hours of general education courses, 49 hours in the specialization areas-speech pathology and audiology, 9 hours of professional preparation for teacher certification, and 3 hours of related studies. No minor or second major is necessary. All courses follow guidelines recommended by the American Speech Language and Hearing Association.

All undergraduate students are also required to complete up to 100 supervised clinical clock hours maximum, working with people having communication disorders. The undergraduate program prepares students academically for graduate study in Communication Disorders and Audiology. A master’s degree is needed for certification in communication disorders. Licensure is also necessary in Kentucky but various states have other mandates for practicing professionals. Student teaching occurs during the final semester of graduate study.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

Speech-Language Pathology career opportunities are expected to grow faster than average through the end of calendar year, 2012. This is due to several factors including an aging baby boomer population with increased possibilities of oncoming neurological disorders with accompanying speech, language, swallowing, and hearing impairments. Employment opportunities are also increasing due to improving survival rates of premature infants and trauma and stroke patients in need of assessment and intervention. Additionally, federal legislation guarantees services to all children with disabilities. Private practice opportunities will also increase due to the increase in contracted services with schools, nursing care/rehabilitation facilities and hospitals.

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Entering Freshman are encouraged to enroll early for faculty advisement on appropriate courses. Formal admission to the major is made in the second semester of the sophomore year. An applicant must have a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.2 when applying for program admission. Notification of admission is made by letter.

Program of Studies

Beginning in a student’s sophomore year there is a prescribed sequence of undergraduate courses. The first nine hours are considered ‘foundation courses’ and may be taken before or concurrent with admission to the program. The foundation courses are offered each semester while the remaining courses are offered once a year.

Major Course Sequence for Bachelor of Science Degree

Sophomore Year

Fall (hours)

Spring (hours)

Junior Year

Summer

Fall (hours)

Spring (hours)

Senior Year

Fall (12 hours)

Spring (12 hours)