Communication Sciences and Disorders, BS

The Communication Sciences and Disorders Program offers a Bachelor of Science degree, which provides the pre-professional foundation for graduate study. The student who plans to become a professional speech-language pathologist or audiologist will receive preparation in human communication sciences and disorders as well as a broad educational experience in the liberal arts and sciences.

Requirements

Preparatory Coursework

Based on individual placement results, some students may be required to complete preparatory coursework before enrolling in the courses listed here. This may include English language or composition preparation, developmental math, introductory chemistry, and/or student support courses for students participating in the First Year Bridge program. 

General Education Requirements (GER)

UW-Milwaukee has General Education Requirements that must be met in order to earn a bachelor’s or associate degree. They include at minimum 30 credits (10 courses) in six categories that are designed to assure basic student competencies and provide a broad body of knowledge as a context for specialization.

Some degree requirements may fulfill GERs. Please review the requirements and consult with your academic advisor.   

Degree Requirements

Students must achieve the following:

1. Satisfactory completion of 120 credits;
2. Satisfactory completion of the required courses in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Program, and those required outside the program;
3. Satisfactory completion of the University General Education Requirements;
4. A cumulative 2.75 GPA or better in all credits earned at UWM. Students should note that admission to graduate programs in speech-language pathology and audiology is highly competitive. To be competitive with other Graduate School applicants, it is recommended that students maintain a GPA greater than 3.5; and
5. Completion of the last 30 credits in residence at UWM.

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General Education Requirements (GERs): This course satisfies a UWM GER requirement. Students who have not completed the appropriate GER requirement prior to taking the course in the major will have an open elective available in order to reach 120 total credits. Students that meet the GER requirement through a different course must still take this course for the major, and will not gain an elective.

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Non-Western History or Contemporary Culture and Minority Group Relations (Act 31) statutory requirements can both be met by taking one class. Program may allow fulfillment of Act 31 with a workshop.

Suggested Plan of Study

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Electives should be used to meet general education requirements as needed.

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COMSDIS 220, COMSDIS 230, and COMSDIS 240 must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 for admission to the major.

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These courses meet a subset of the requirements for Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for School Certification in Speech-Language Pathology.

Admission to the Major

To be accepted as a communication sciences and disorders major you must have:

1. A cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better in at least the first 58 credits taken;
2. A GPA of 3.0 or better in COMSDIS 220, COMSDIS 230, and COMSDIS 240;
3. Completion of an application form for admission to the major;
4. Endorsement by the faculty of the student's written application.

Students will receive written notice of the admission decision. A meeting with your advisor to discuss the program of study is required immediately following admission to the major.

Appeal Procedures

Students who are refused admission to the major may appeal the decision by writing to the department chairperson and enumerating the reasons they believe their case is exceptional and merits additional consideration. If possible, the appeal should be accompanied by written support from one or more of the faculty, and should include documentation of any extenuating circumstances cited in support of the appeal. A committee composed of the entire faculty of the Communication Sciences and Disorders Program will consider individual student appeals for admission to the major. Students are notified in writing of the faculty's decision concerning the appeal.

Communication Sciences and Disorders BS Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Communication Sciences and Disorders, BS Program will be able to: 

• Identify the anatomy and explain the physiology of the respiratory, phonatory, articulatory, resonatory, and auditory systems as they relate to communication processes. 
• Explain the typical development of speech and language from toddlerhood through adolescence. 
• Distinguish between normal and delayed/disordered speech and language function using formal and informal assessment strategies. 
• Create developmentally appropriate, evidence-based therapeutic interventions that target diagnosed communication impairments in preschool and school-aged children. 
• Compare and contrast the etiologies and characteristics of adults with neurologic impairments such as dementia, aphasia, traumatic brain injury, right hemisphere damage, and motor speech disorders. 
• Critique principles of intervention for adults with neurologic impairments and communication disorders. 
• Explain the nature of counseling, compare and contrast approaches to counseling, outline the emotional aspects of communication disorders, and identify multicultural considerations in counseling individuals with communication disorders. 
• Recognize the boundaries between counseling activities that are appropriate for professionals in communication disorders, compared to issues that are better addressed by other professionals. 
• Identify ethical and unethical professional behavior observed during provision of clinical services. 

Careers

Individuals who have an educational background in Communication Sciences and Disorders have a variety of employment and career opportunities available to them upon completion of the Bachelor's Degree. For those interested in working with children and adults with disabilities, positions may be found in schools, agencies, health-care facilities, and government. The Communication Sciences and Disorders undergraduate major also provides a good preparation for graduate and certification training in human service-related fields.

Examples of Jobs for Undergraduate Majors

• Care Coordinator for high-risk children and families
• Case Manager for individuals with developmental disabilities
• Job Coach
• Activity Assistant 
• Life Skills Instructor
• Rehabilitation Technician (assists rehabilitation professionals in healthcare settings)
• Classroom Aide
• Special Ed Educational Assistant
• Autism Line Therapist
• In-home Behavioral Support Specialist
• Substitute Teacher
• Childcare Teacher (certification required)
• Peer Recovery Specialist (certification required)

Jobs Requiring Additional Education (graduate degree or post-baccalaureate certification)

• Speech-Language Pathologist
• Audiologist
• Social Worker
• Occupational Therapist
• Manager, Day Services Program
• Special Education Teacher
• Reading Specialist
• Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
• Manager, Autism Therapy Agency

Accelerated Program Option

This program is offered as part of an accelerated graduate program. For more information, see Accelerated Graduate Degrees.

Communication Sciences and Disorders, BS/Communication Sciences and Disorders, MS

This accelerated graduate degree involves the following bachelor's and graduate degrees: Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. There are 2 forward-shared credits and 20 backward-shared credits for a total of 22 shared credits.

Eligible Forward-Shared Courses

Two graduate-level credits taken in undergraduate status may forward share to the graduate degree.

Eligible Backward-Shared Courses

Twenty graduate credits may be backward shared. 

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Minimum High School GPA of 3.5; no math or English deficiencies. Some AP transfer credits are recommended.

Advancement to Major

• Minimum GPA of 3.00 in COMSDIS 220, COMSDIS 230, COMSDIS 240 

In addition to the above requirements, admission to the accelerated program requires:

• COMSDIS 220, COMSDIS 230, and COMSDIS 240 may only be taken once 
• Grades of B or higher in all COMSDIS courses
• Overall GPA 3.0 or higher

To maintain standing in the accelerated BS/MS program, students cannot retake any course and must maintain grades of B or better in all COMSDIS courses. If a student does not meet these standards, they may exit the accelerated program and enter the four-year undergraduate CSD program. In addition, a student may elect to exit the accelerated program and enter the four-year undergraduate program at any time.

Graduate School Admission Requirements

Admission to the Graduate School and professional phase of the MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders program occurs in January of the third year. Students will be guaranteed admission to the professional phase if the following admission requirements are met:

• Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• Submission of an essay explaining why they are well-suited for the profession of speech-language pathology.
• Completion of the following prerequisite courses:
  • BIO SCI 202 & BIO SCI 203
  • Physics or Chemistry
  • KIN 270
  • PSYCH 101
  • COMSDIS 220, COMSDIS 230, COMSDIS 240, COMSDIS 350, COMSDIS 351, COMSDIS 380, COMSDIS 470, and COMSDIS 480
  • CHPS 245
• A successful interview that shows the applicant's ability to:
  • articulate cohesive and appropriate responses to questions related to plans for success in graduate school and career goals.
  • reflect upon and articulate personal attributes.
  • communicate in a clear, articulate, and professional manner.
• Students will apply directly to the UWM Graduate School and not apply through the Communications Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application System (CSDCAS).
• No GRE is required.
• Application to the Graduate School will be completed following an affirmative decision by the MS CSD Admissions Committee in January of the Junior year.

Sample Plan of Study

The sample plan below illustrates how students can progress through their undergraduate degree and transition into an Accelerated Graduate Degree (AGD). It provides an example of when undergraduate and graduate-level coursework may be completed and how shared credits can be applied toward both degrees. This is a sample plan, not a required course sequence, and your plan may vary. Work with your undergraduate advisor to develop an individualized plan and confirm all Accelerated Graduate Degree requirements.

Honors in the Major

Honors in the major are granted to students who earn a GPA of 3.500 or above on a minimum of 30 completed credits at UWM.

College of Health Professions and Sciences Dean's Honor List

GPA of 3.500 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.

Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction

Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.

Commencement Honors

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).

Final Honors

Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.