Department website: http://medicine.wvu.edu/communications-sciences-and-disorders/communication-sciences-disorders-bs/
Degree Offered
- Bachelor of Science
Nature of the Program
The undergraduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders is committed to the preparation of students interested in understanding the foundations of communication for typical and disordered speech, language, and hearing across the lifespan. Leading to the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree, this undergraduate program emphasizes education in liberal studies; anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanisms; development of speech and language skills; awareness of cultural diversity and its relationship to communication; phonetics; and a broad introduction to communication sciences and disorders.
Undergraduates with a BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders can pursue graduate school in speech-language pathology, audiology, public health care, public policy, education, and special education. Other options after the BS program include jobs as speech-language pathology or audiology assistants, hearing aid sales, in communications, in public affairs and policy for persons with disabilities, and in other education and health-related jobs related to advocacy and communication for persons with disabilities.
The demand for certified practitioners is continually increasing; consequently, job prospects remain very good. The undergraduate program and subsequent options in graduate study enable graduates to seek employment in a variety of settings and work with individuals of all ages as well as to pursue academic and research careers in the discipline of communication sciences and disorders.
Administration
Chair
- Jayne Brandel - PhD, CCC-SLP (University of Kansas)
Associate Professor
Vice Chairs
- Nancy Aarts - PhD, CCC-A (Northwestern University)
Associate Professor and Vice Chair, Audiology
Faculty
Associate Professors
- Nancy Aarts - PhD, CCC-A (Northwestern University)
Vice Chair, Audiology - Jayne Brandel - PhD, CCC-SLP (University of Kansas)
Chair - Ashleigh Callahan - PhD, CCC-A (James Madison University)
- Alex Hollo - PhD, BCBA-D (Vanderbilt University)
- Kimberly Meigh - PhD, CCC-SLP (University of Pittsburgh)
Coordinator of Clinical Services
Assistant Professors
- Molly Abitbol - MS, CCC-SLP (Nova Southeastern University)
- Christa Babjack - MA, CCC-SLP (Western Michigan University)
- Christina Dastolfo-Hromack - PhD, CCC-SLP (University of Pittsburgh)
- Heather Forbes - PhD, CCC-SLP, BCBA-D (University of Kansas)
- Anna Gravelin - PhD, CCC-SLP (Bowling Green State University)
- Almara Hutchinson - MA, CCC-SLP (Radford University)
Coordinator of Clinical Education - Megan Israelsen - PhD, CCC-SLP (Utah State University)
- Eric Johnson - PhD, AuD, CCC-A (Ohio State University, University of Utah)
- Kenneth Morse - PhD, AuD, CCC-A (Syracuse University)
- Tracy Toman - MS, CCC-SLP (West Virginia University)
- Leah Valensi - AuD, CCC-A (Syracuse University)
Professors Emeriti
- Mary Ellen Tekieli Koay - PhD
- Norman J. Lass - PhD
- Dennis M. Ruscello - PhD, ASHA Honors
- Kenneth O. St. Louis - PhD
- Charles M. Woodford - PhD
Associate Professors Emeriti
- Leslie Graebe - MS
- Conrad Lundeen - PhD
Teaching Associate Professors Emeriti
- Karen B. Haines - MS
- Gayle B. Neldon - EdD
Assistant Professors Emeriti
- Lynn R. Cartwright - EdD
- Cheryl L. Prichard - EdD
Admissions for 2025-2026
Freshman Admission
To be eligible for direct admission to the Communication Sciences and Disorders program, students must have an overall high school GPA of 3.0 or a 23 Composite ACT or 1150 SAT or 45 ALEKS placement score. Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis if the applicant's GPA or test scores are below the published requirements for automatic direct admission. Students who are not directly admitted are admitted to the Center for Learning, Advising and Student Success where they can work toward meeting eligibility.
Early Assurance Program
The Early Assurance Program (EAP) provides a pathway for well-qualified CSD first-time freshmen to enter the Master's of Speech-Language Pathology or Doctor of Audiology program following completion of a CSD baccalaureate degree and meeting all other requirements outlined below.
To qualify, students entering WVU from high school must:
- Be admitted to WVU as a Communication Sciences and Disorders major.
- Have a high school GPA of 3.7 or higher.
- Have an ACT score of 26 or higher or a SAT score of 1230 or higher.
EAP students who meet the following requirements will continue into the graduate CSD program of their choice (Master's of Speech-Language Pathology or Doctor of Audiology) following completion of their baccalaureate degree:
- Maintain 30 credit hours each academic year.
- Maintain an overall GPA of 3.3 or higher and a prerequisite GPA in CSD courses of 3.7 or higher (evaluated at the end of each academic year).
- Successfully complete all admission requirements (in effect at the time you apply) for their intended graduate program.
Students who do not meet the EAP criteria for continuation outlined above or who withdraw from the EAP program during their undergraduate studies, but who still meet the minimum admission requirements for the Master's of Speech-Language Pathology or Doctor of Audiology programs are encouraged to apply using the traditional application process.
Transfer Admission
Students transferring must have an overall GPA of 2.8 to be considered for admission. This requirement applies to students who are external to WVU and current WVU students wishing to change their major. For more information, please contact us at somadvising@hsc.wvu.edu.
Major Code: 8360
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A minimum GPA of 2.8 is required in all coursework applied to the degree. | ||
| University Requirements | 36 | |
| Communication Sciences and Disorders Program Requirements | 23 | |
| Communication Sciences and Disorders Major Requirements | 61 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
University Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Foundations (GEF) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 (31-37 Credits) | ||
| Outstanding GEF Requirements 5, 6, 7, and 8 | 12 | |
| CSAD 191 | First-Year Seminar | 1 |
| General Electives | 23 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Communication Sciences and Disorders Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A minimum grade of C- is required for all coursework applied to the Communication Sciences and Disorders Program Requirements, except where noted. | ||
| ENGL 101 | Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric (GEF 1) | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Composition, Rhetoric, and Research (GEF 1) | 3 |
| Select one of the following (GEF 2): | 4 | |
| General Biology 1 and General Biology 1 Laboratory | ||
| General Biology 2 and General Biology 2 Laboratory | ||
| Principles of Biology and Principles of Biology Laboratory | ||
| Conceptual Physics and Conceptual Physics Laboratory | ||
| MATH 124 | Algebra with Applications (GEF 3) | 3 |
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology (GEF 4) | 3 |
| CS 101 | Intro to Computer Applications (GEF 8) | 4 |
| Select one of the following (GEF 8): | 3 | |
| Elementary Business and Economics Statistics | ||
| Elementary Statistical Inference | ||
| Total Hours | 23 | |
Communication Sciences and Disorders Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A minimum grade of C- is required for all coursework applied to the Communication Sciences and Disorders Major Requirements, except where noted. | ||
| A minimum GPA of 2.8 is required for all coursework applied to Communication Sciences and Disorders Major Requirements. | ||
| Normal Human Developement (select two from the following): | 6 | |
| Families Across the Life Span | ||
| Introduction to Parenting | ||
| Infant Development | ||
| Development in Early and Middle Childhood | ||
| Adolescent Development | ||
| Stress in Families | ||
| Adolescent Problems and Disorders | ||
| Family Interaction and Communication | ||
| Best Practices in Pre-K Movement | ||
| Introduction to Helping Professions | ||
| Phonology | ||
| Syntax | ||
| Medical Terminology | ||
| Introduction to Human Development | ||
| Multiculturalism in Psychology | ||
| Prenatal and Infant Development | ||
| Child and Adolescent Development | ||
| Adulthood and Aging | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Families and Society | ||
| Human Behavior in the Social Environment | ||
| Abnormal Human Development (select one of the following): | 3 | |
| Health of the Individual | ||
| Nonverbal Communication | ||
| Communication and Aging | ||
| Disability and the Family | ||
| Disability and Society | ||
| Health Care Ethics | ||
| Sex Roles and Behavior | ||
| Introduction to Social Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Psychological Disorders | ||
| Behavior Principles | ||
| Topics in Social Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Adjustment | ||
| Exceptional Children | ||
| Cognition and Memory | ||
| Learning and Behavior Theory | ||
| Perception | ||
| Applied Behavior Analysis | ||
| Human Diversity | ||
| Introduction to Social Work | ||
| Social Welfare Policy and Services 1 | ||
| Sociology of Gender | ||
| Special Education in Contemporary Society | ||
| Major Area Courses | ||
| CSAD 200 | Introduction to Communication Disorders | 3 |
| CSAD 222 | Phonetics and Phonology | 3 |
| CSAD 234 | Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing | 4 |
| CSAD 236 | Language Science | 3 |
| CSAD 285 | Introduction to Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders | 3 |
| CSAD 320 | Speech Science | 3 |
| CSAD 330 | Foundations of Clinical Practice in CSD | 3 |
| CSAD 334 | Neuroscience in Communication Sciences and Disorders | 3 |
| CSAD 336 | Language Acquisition 1 | 3 |
| CSAD 340 | Hearing Science | 3 |
| CSAD 426 | Introduction to Speech Disorders | 3 |
| CSAD 442 | Aural Rehabilitation | 3 |
| CSAD 342 | Introduction To Audiology | 3 |
| CSAD 485 | Professional Applications in Communication Sciences and Disorders | 3 |
| or CSAD 496 | Senior Thesis | |
| Content/Practica Electives | 9 | |
| International Experience/Communication Sciences and Disorders | ||
| Language Disorders | ||
| Language Acquisition 2 | ||
| Audiological Assessment | ||
| Speech and Language Assisting | ||
| Speech and Language Practicum | ||
| Audiology Practicum | ||
| Special Topics (up to 3 credits) | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Research (up to 3 credits) | ||
| Total Hours | 61 | |
Senior Capstone
All students in the B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders program must complete a capstone experience before graduation. Majors will engage in a variety of written, oral, and analytical activities related to the field and will develop an oral/PowerPoint presentation which will be graded by faculty members.
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| CSAD 191 | 1 | CSAD 222 | 3 |
| CSAD 200 | 3 | CSAD 234 | 4 |
| ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 | ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 |
| BIOL/PHYS Requirement (GEF 2) | 4 | PSYC 101 (GEF 4) | 3 |
| MATH 124 (GEF 3) | 3 | GEF 5 | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | ||
| 17 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| CSAD 236 | 3 | CS 101 (GEF 8) | 4 |
| CSAD 285 (GEF Course) | 3 | CSAD 330 | 3 |
| CSAD 320 | 3 | CSAD 336 | 3 |
| STAT 211 or ECON 225 (GEF 8) | 3 | CSAD 340 | 3 |
| GEF 6 | 3 | Normal Human Development | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| CSAD 334 | 3 | CSAD Elective | 3 |
| CSAD 342 | 3 | GEF 8 | 3 |
| GEF 7 | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| Normal Human Development | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| CSAD 426 | 3 | CSAD 442 | 3 |
| CSAD Elective | 3 | CSAD 485 | 3 |
| Abnormal Human Development | 3 | CSAD Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 2 | ||
| 14 | 12 | ||
| Total credit hours: 120 | |||
Major Learning Outcomes
Communication Sciences and Disorders
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is committed to the preparation of students interested in working with individuals with communication disorders. Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders at West Virginia University, the student will be able to:
- Explain acoustic, psychoacoustic, and neurological principles of speech, language, and hearing as they relate to the anatomy of the speech, language, and hearing systems.
- Transcribe and analyze speech, language, and hearing across the lifespan to classify capabilities as typical or atypical.
- Identify basic concepts related to evaluation and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders during clinical observations.
- Communicate information regarding communication disorders in oral and written format while incorporating principles of evidence-based practice.