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:
Campus Bachelors, Lillywhite 150, (435) 797-9094, comdpeermentor@usu.edu
Online 1^st Bachelors - Kristy Meeks, Lillywhite 146, (435) 797-2469, kristy.meeks@usu.edu
Online 2^nd Bachelors - Brynne Davies, Lillywhite 144, (435) 797-2460, brynne.davies@usu.edu

American Sign Language Minor - 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), Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD).

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

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

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.

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.

Graduate Programs

Admission Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in communication disorders or equivalent must be completed before the student enters the graduate program. Students already having a bachelor’s degree in another area must complete a second bachelor’s degree in communication disorders or the equivalent coursework.

Applications for the graduate degrees are considered once a year during spring semester.  Admission is on a competitive basis. 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. The application deadline for the Deaf Education program is March 1.  Deaf Education applications received after March 1 will be reviewed on a space-available basis.  For further information see individual graduate program application and admission requirements at https://comdde.usu.edu/.

Research and Practicum Opportunities

Research experiences are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Undergraduate students may assist in faculty research through a variety of mechanisms. Graduate students may choose to complete a thesis project or assist in faculty research, with specific opportunities depending on the degree and specialization.

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.

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.

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. Graduates from the MS/MA specialization in speech-language pathology are prepared to work across the lifespan in diverse medical, rehabilitation, and educational, and early intervention settings. Graduates in the area of Deaf Education are trained to work in early intervention, general education, and special education programs that serve children with hearing loss who use listening and spoken language.

Additional Information

For more information concerning graduation requirements and course sequencing, students should meet with their departmental advisors prior to beginning classes in the COMDDE major to assure that the most efficient and effective schedule is followed.  Information on the department programs, policies, faculty, research, and services can be found at https://comdde.usu.edu/ and at the individual undergraduate and graduate degree catalog pages.

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.

FACULTY - Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services  

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