Curriculum

Middle Tennessee State University has long been recognized as having an outstanding undergraduate program in Communication Disorders. The program includes areas of knowledge designated by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Specialized courses are appropriately sequenced to meet prerequisites, to build a foundation for enrollment in clinical practicum, and to encourage students to progress in academic course work as they develop clinical application skills.

Students who choose to major in Communication Disorders follow a curriculum in which they gradually take courses in the major while completing the University's general education requirements. When students choose the major in the junior or senior year, they may follow an accelerated curriculum. Criteria for the accelerated program include a minimum overall GPA of 2.80, completion of 5 semester hours of course work, of which 33 hours meet general education requirements. Students who have limitations in attending classes and studying are advised to follow an extended-time program. Each student's course of study must be approved by a faculty advisor who assists the student in selecting the proper courses to complete degree requirements in a timely manner.

Students pursuing the major complete CDIS 3050, 3150, 3200, 3260, 3300, 3350, 3400, 4500, 4850, 4900, and either CDIS 3450 or 4800. Students must also complete a minimum of 9 hours of supervised clinical practicum through enrollment in CDIS 4550-4600 and 4700-4730 and a minimum of 12 hours of guided electives. Students complete one minor of their choice.

Guided electives from which students may choose include ANTH 3410, CDFS 3340, CDIS 3250 (when taken prior to entering major), CDIS 4400, CDIS 4580, CDIS 4650 (3 hours), CDIS 4700-4730, CDIS 4750, CDIS 4950 (3-6 hours), COMM 3560, FOED 1110, FOED 2110, MATH 1530, MATH 2050, PSY 2300, SPY 3250, PSY 4030, QM 2610, QM 3620, SOC 4020, or SPED 3010.

The goal of the baccalaureate program is to provide an introductory education in the context of the liberal arts and sciences so that students will be prepared for graduate level professional education. A After graduation, many Communication Disorders majors continue their studies in speech-language pathology, audiology, deaf education, and related disciplines in universities that offer graduate programs.

Students who have completed a Bachelor's degree in another discipline but later decide to pursue a career in the speech and hearing profession often enroll in courses to meet graduate school prerequisites.

Students may minor in Communication Disorders by completing six of the academic (non-clinical) courses. Students from other major or minor programs may enroll in academic courses as long as they observe prerequisites in the catalog description of courses.

Online catalog 2011-2012 Communication Disorders Concentration, B.S.