Department of Communication Disorders

Location: Tate Page Hall # 111
Phone: (270) 745-4541
Fax: (270) 745-3441
Website: www.wku.edu/communicationdisorders

Dr. Joseph Etienne, Head

Associate Professors: L. Bland, B. Brindle, R. Dressler , J. Etienne
Instructors: J. Barefoot, L. Hutchison, M. L. Moore, D. Parsley, J. Shackelford, J. Smith
Professor Emeritus:  S. Cooke
Optional Retiree: F. Kersting

Program Accreditation: Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Major in Communication Disorders
The major for clinicians of speech and communication disorders (reference number 595P prior to being accepted to the program and reference number 595 after being officially accepted to the undergraduate program) requires 120 hours and leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. The program includes approximately 44 hours of general education courses, 55 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.

Prior to selecting general education courses, you must obtain approval from your communication disorders department academic advisor.

Those interested should have sophomore status, a 3.2 GPA or better, and apply for official admission to the program. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better must be maintained throughout matriculation.

Applications for admission are accepted until February 15. Students admitted during March of any given year may begin major coursework during the Fall semester following admission. Due to the clinical practicum component of this major, enrollment to the undergraduate program is limited.

Students may obtain an application for admission from the department. At the time of application, students will  complete a one page application form and submit a transcript verifying a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.20.

Required courses for the major are:

1. Specialization Areas - CD 280, 290, 347, 405, 478, 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, 488, 489, 490, 491, and 495.
2. Professional Preparation for Teacher Certification - EDU 250; EXED 330; PSY 310, Related Studies: PSY 423 (or faculty approved substitution). Students should consult the department regarding specific requirements for Category D of general education, Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

All undergraduate students are also required to complete up to a maximum of 50 supervised clinical clock hours 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 national certification in speech and communication disorders. Licensure is also necessary in Kentucky but other states have various mandates for practicing professionals.

When planning a program of study, each student should be aware of the University’s academic requirements and regulations contained in this catalog in the chapter “Academic Information.” Specific attention should be given to the subsections in the chapter entitled (a) Academic Programs, (b) General Education Requirements, and (c) Academic Requirements and Regulations. Students should be aware that some academic programs may require additional scholastic regulations and standards not specified in the catalog. To obtain a copy of these regulations, students should contact the department head.

Students will be required to undergo criminal background checks and provide proof of a recent physical examination, professional liability insurance, and a Tuberculin Skin Test prior to beginning any clinical experiences , which must be updated annually. Students may be required to undergo drug testing and submit proof of health insurance, CPR training, and other immunizations prior to beginning off campus experiences. Additionally, there may be certifications, training seminars, or other requirements specified by an institution that a student must meet in order to be eligible for training at an educational or health care institution. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all University and/or institutional requirements are met as a condition of participating in clinical experiences. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all institutional and/or facility requirements are met as a condition of participating in the on and off-campus experiences; students may be responsible in part or in full for any costs incurred to meet such requirements. Students are also responsible for transportation to and from off-campus experiences.