The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is dedicated to preparing its students for the successful understanding of the disorders and differences of human communication.

The discipline of communication sciences and disorders (CSD) comprises the two related fields known as speech-language pathology (SLP) and audiology (A). Speech-language pathologists evaluate and treat the full range of human communication and swallowing disorders. The disorder areas include speech sound production, expressive and receptive language, language-based literacy disorders, fluency, voice, cognitive-communication disorders, feeding, swallowing, and social communication difficulties.

Speech-language pathologists may evaluate and treat individuals of all ages, from infants to the elderly. They may work as a team with teachers, audiologists, psychologists, occupational therapists and physical therapists, or they may work in private practice. Most speech-language pathologists work in public school systems, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, health departments, government agencies, adult day care centers, home health care agencies, centers for those with developmental disabilities or research laboratories.

Essential traits for the profession include: empathy, flexibility, accountability, cultural sensitivity, scientific aptitude, critical thinking, self-reflection, the ability to collaborate with team members, and strong oral and written communication skills.

The recommended courses during high school include biology, physics, social sciences, English and mathematics, as well as public speaking, language, psychology and a world language. Undergraduates should have a strong liberal arts background with coursework in phonetics, anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanism, speech science, speech and language development, and audiology, biological sciences (e.g., human or animal biology, human anatomy and physiology, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, human genetics), physical sciences (chemistry or physics), social/behavioral sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology, anthropology or public health), and a stand-alone course in statistics. A master’s degree is required for speech-language pathologists. Most states also require that speech-language pathologists be licensed.

Audiology is a discipline that focuses on the measurement of hearing and hearing impairment, the study of the nervous system and how auditory information is processed, and the testing and analysis of auditory disorders. Audiologists are the primary health-care professionals who evaluate, diagnose, treat and manage hearing loss, auditory processing disorders and balance disorders in adults and children. They prescribe and fit hearing aids, assist in cochlear implant programs, perform ear- or hearing-related surgical monitoring, design and implement hearing conservation programs and newborn hearing screening programs, provide hearing rehabilitation training—such as auditory training, speech reading and listening skills improvement—and provide other assistive listening devices to enhance the hearing capabilities of individuals with hearing loss or other disorders of the auditory system.

The recommended courses during high school for audiologists are the same as those for speech-language pathologists. On the undergraduate level, the undergraduate curriculum requirements are the same as for speech-language pathologists. A doctoral degree (usually the AuD) is required for audiologists, and most states also license audiologists.

They work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, private practices, ENT offices, universities, K-12 schools and government, military and VA hospitals.

In addition to the undergraduate program in CSD, the department is home to a graduate program in CSD. For more information on the graduate programs, please refer to the Graduate Study section of this catalog.

Undergraduate Program Mission

The mission of the undergraduate program in communication sciences and disorders is to provide students with the scientific and cultural foundations of the development of typical human communication and communication differences and disorders across the lifespan. Students will exhibit the knowledge and skills necessary to be prepared for graduate study and meaningful and ethical work in areas related to speech language pathology, audiology, speech and hearing sciences, human services, and education, using a framework driven by evidence-based practice. Students will actively engage in the pursuit of intellectual excellence and self-formation, demonstrating the commitment, integrity and compassion necessary to be socially responsible in a culturally and linguistically diverse global society.

Student Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

• Describe the anatomical, physiological, and neurological structures and processes involved in speech, language, hearing, and swallowing functions.

• Describe characteristics of typical versus atypical communication skills across the lifespan.

• Explain the linguistic and acoustic characteristics and etiologies of prevalent communication disorders.

• Describe the social-emotional, sensory, motor, and cognitive correlates of communication across the lifespan.

• Explain scientifically driven, evidence-based principles of assessment and treatment of communication and swallowing.

Skills

• Transcribe normal and disordered speech and language production using standard disciplinary conventions.

• Demonstrate skills that contribute to the provision of providing culturally and linguistically responsive assessment and intervention services to diverse populations.

• Demonstrate effective oral communication skills to present disciplinary information accurately and clearly.

• Demonstrate effective written communication skills that conform to information literacy and disciplinary standards.

• Apply critical thinking and analysis of scientific evidence to solve clinical problems related to prevention, assessment and treatment.

• Demonstrate essential functions and professional ethics as required for engagement in clinical practicum.

Major GPA Requirement

Students must have a 3.0 GPA to begin the 200-level core courses in CSD (i.e., CSD 200, CSD 205, CSD 234, CSD 237). Students who earn any grade lower than a C (C-, D+, D, D-, F) in these core courses or more than one C in these core courses are not eligible for the CSD major.  If a student receives a grade of C- or lower in a 200-level course, they have the opportunity to retake the class (this retake policy is per the Elmhurst University Catalog) and improve their grade for entry into the major. 

To declare the CSD major, students are required to have completed the core courses (i.e., CSD 200, CSD 205, CSD 234, CSD 237) and earned a cumulative 3.2 GPA or higher.  Students are also required to earn a B or better in English 105 (Composition I) and English 106 (Composition II) or their equivalents.  Students who otherwise meet the requirements to enter the CSD major but earn a B- or any C grade in English 106 may take English 201 (Composition III) and earn a B or better to qualify to enter the CSD major.  

To remain in the CSD major, students must have a 3.2 GPA by the end of their junior year (i.e., before completing the final two semesters and/or 8 remaining credits for graduation).  Students who do not have a 3.2 GPA by this designated time must drop the CSD major and declare another major.