Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education

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Department Head: Karen Muñoz
Location: Lillywhite 105
Phone: (435) 797-3701
FAX: (435) 797-0221
E-mail:karen.munoz@usu.edu
WWW: comdde.usu.edu

Assistant Department Head: Teresa Ukrainetz, Lillywhite 103, (435) 797-1384, teresa.ukrainetz@usu.edu

Undergraduate Advisors Speech Language Pathology and Audiology:
Tonya Jewell, Campus Bachelors, Lillywhite 150, (435) 797-9094, tonya.jewell@usu.edu
Heather Humphreys, Online 1^st Bachelors, Lillywhite 146, (435) 797-2469, heather.humphreys@usu.edu
Brynne Davies, Online 2^nd Bachelors, Lillywhite 144, (435) 797-2460, brynne.davies@usu.edu

Undergraduate Advisor Deaf Education Composite Major:
Michelle Wilson, Lillywhite 148, (435) 797-9271, michelle.wilson@usu.edu

Graduate Advisor:
Michelle Wilson, Lillywhite 148, (435) 797-9271, michelle.wilson@usu.edu

Degrees offered: Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Arts (BA), Master of Science (MS), Master of Arts (MA), and Master of Education (MEd) in Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education; Clinical Doctorate of Audiology (AuD); Doctor of Philosophy in Disabilities Disciplines (PhD)

Undergraduate areas of focus: BS, BA—Communicative Disorders, Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Graduate specializations: MS, MA, MEd—Speech-Language Pathology; MEd—Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; MS–Communication Sciences; AuD—Audiology; PhD—Speech-Language Pathology; Audiology.

Full Details of the learning objectives, assessment plan, student outcomes, and evidence of continuous improvement for these programs of study can be found at comdde.usu.edu/assessment/student-program-assessment.

Objectives

Three main objectives of the Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education are (1) to train competent speech-language pathologists, educators of the deaf and hard of hearing, and clinical-educational audiologists qualified to receive state and national licensure; (2) to provide clinical services to individuals with speech-language deficits or hearing loss in the University population or in the community; and (3) to provide research opportunities for students relating to communication problems of individuals. The graduate programs in both Speech-Language Pathology and Clinical- Educational Audiology are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. All department programs hold Utah State Office of Education approval.

Suggested Four-year Plans

Suggested semester-by-semester four-year plans for students working toward bachelor’s degrees are available in the Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education Department.

These plans are models of the requirements and possible sequences of courses. However, students may progress through their program or have more flexibility if they have high ACT scores, CLEP credit, concurrent enrollment credit, AP credit, and/or transfer credit; or if they attend during summer semesters.

Students should consult with their advisor to develop a plan of study tailored to their individual circumstances.

University Honors Program

The University Honors Program offers students in all colleges and majors the unique opportunity to deepen their educational experience with hands-on practical applications of their academic knowledge. The Honors Program admits incoming, transfer, and existing USU students based on application. High achieving students with at least one year remaining are encouraged to apply.  See the University Honors Program catalog entry and website (honors.usu.edu) for more information.

Additional Information

For more information concerning graduation requirements and course sequencing, see the major requirement sheet, available from the Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education. Additional information may also be found at the departmental website: comdde.usu.edu/

Because many of the undergraduate COMDDE courses are taught in sequence, students should meet with  the undergraduate departmental advisor prior to beginning classes in the COMDDE major to assure that the most efficient and effective schedule is followed. Students should also confer with the undergraduate departmental advisor for information about changes in requirements or scheduling.

Graduate Programs

Admission Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders or equivalent must be completed before the student enters the  graduate program. (Students already having a bachelor’s degree in another area must either complete a second bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders or take the undergraduate Communicative Disorders courses as postbachelor’s prerequisite courses.) The time required to complete a master’s degree is determined during the first semester of study by the graduate advisor in consultation with the department faculty.

In addition to School of Graduate Studies admission requirements, students must demonstrate competency in American Sign Language, in order to be admitted to the bilingual-bicultural education of the deaf and hard of hearing program.

Applications for the graduate degrees will be considered once a year during spring semester. Students applying to the audiology and speech-language pathology programs must have completed the application process to the School of Graduate Studies by January 15th. There is a “rolling deadline” for applications to the Deaf Education graduate program. For information about application to the Bilingual-Bicultural program, contact Dr. Freeman King. For information about application to the Listening to Speech and Language program, contact Dr. Lauri Nelson.  For information about the non-clinical MS in Communication Sciences, contact Dr. Ron Gillam.

Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education Research Requirements

Several options are available for MS graduate students to complete the research or special project required for the MS degree. These options are specified in the list of requirements available in the department office, and include for the MS the traditional Plan A thesis option, as well as the Plan B project option. All graduate students (MA and MEd) also have the option of completing Plan C comprehensive examinations in lieu of a Plan A or Plan B option. 

Licensure

Each undergraduate and graduate student is advised on which classes will meet Utah State Office of Education and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association licensure requirements, as well as Utah State Professional Licensure requirements. State Office of Education licensure credentials within Utah include approval for audiology, speech-language pathology, and education of the deaf and hard of hearing. Graduation from any of these graduate programs ensures the student meet the requirements for licensure in Utah. Such licensure facilitates meeting other requirements for other states, because of reciprocal agreements that exist among some state educational agencies throughout the country.

Practicum Opportunities

Practicum experience at the graduate level is available in a variety of settings. The department maintains a Speech-Language clinic and an Audiology clinic which offer a full range of diagnostic and treatment services to individuals with speech-language or hearing disabilities across the lifespan, as well as the Sound Beginnings Early Intervention and Pre-School Program. Additionally, students are assigned to off-campus practicum sites such as hospitals, schools for the deaf, long-term and rehabilitation care centers, clinics, physician’s offices, public schools and early intervention programs. Placement in out-of-state practicum sites may be offered depending on availability.  Students may also be placed at the USU Center for Persons with Disabilities for experience in birth to age three services.  

Financial Assistance

Departmental and federal grant support is available to graduate students and is awarded on a competitive basis. See the advisor in your area of emphasis to identify financial support submission deadlines.

Career Opportunities

Audiology graduates are prepared to work as clinical, educational, and rehabilitative audiologists. Speech-Language-Pathology graduates are prepared to work in a variety of medical, rehabilitation, and educational settings. Graduates in the area of Education of the Deaf are trained to work in bilingual/bicultural or Listening and Spoken Language programs.

Additional Information

Specific details about each of the foregoing degree programs are outlined in policy and procedure documents available through the department. All requirements are subject to change; check with the department for current requirements. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education.
 

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Return to: Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services