Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Sciences

The Communication Sciences Program prepares undergraduate and graduate students to address broad issues of human communication processes and disorders through the application of cutting-edge technology and rigorous clinical training. We provide a comprehensive foundation in normal and disordered human communication and combine it with innovative interdisciplinary experiences that capitalize on the extensive resources of the university and the surrounding medical community. The department enjoys a particularly close relationship with Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center, an outstanding independent, nonprofit provider of care in speech-language pathology and audiology; in fact, the program is housed within the center. Many students pursue undergraduate study in communication disorders as preparation for further study in other fields or in conjunction with study in other fields. For example, one can combine a major in communication disorders with a major in sociology or psychology or with a minor in gerontological studies. Professionals in human services fields such as medicine, social work, nursing, or education often work with persons with communication disorders. For students interested in academic or research careers, investigation in the field of communication disorders is often done alongside investigation of normal human behavior. For example, one might study the word learning of children with normal language as well as that of children with language impairment. The major in communication sciences leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree. For many students, a BA in communication sciences is a pre-professional degree in preparation for graduate study in speech-language pathology or audiology. The undergraduate course work emphasizes the basic processes and acquisition of normal communication in children and adults. Graduate study then focuses on the study of disordered communication. (Please see the description of the Integrated Graduate Studies Program below.) Students pursuing the BA are required to take 45 credit hours of course work which includes study in communication sciences and disorders, psychology, and English/linguistics, as well as in statistics and research design. A recommended course sequence is shown below. Please note, however, that an individual student's sequence may differ from this one. For example, undergraduate students may elect to take 400- or 500-level graduate courses with departmental/instructor permission.