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, Michelle Wilson, Lillywhite 150, (435) 797-9271, michelle.wilson@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 - Mason Hayes, Lillywhite 148, (435) 797-9094, mason.hayes@usu.edu

Graduate Advisor:
Mason Hayes, Lillywhite 148, (435) 797-9094, mason.hayes@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; Audiology Clinical Doctorate (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—Disability Disciplines or Neuroscience with emphasis in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology.

Objectives

Three main objectives of the Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education are (1) to train competent audiologists, educators of the deaf and hard of hearing, speech-language pathologists and speech-language pathologist assistants who are qualified to receive state licensure and national certification; (2) to provide clinical services to individuals with hearing, balance, speech, language and swallowing deficits in the university population or in the community at large; and (3) to provide research opportunities for students related to the fields of communicative disorders and deaf education.

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 or contact the Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education Honors representative, Dr. Brittan Barker (brittan.barker@usu.edu)

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 both the undergraduate and graduate level. 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 houses clinics specializing in hearing, balance, cochlear implants, speech, language, cognitive rehabilitation, assistive communication devices (AAC) and feeding and swallowing. These clinics offer a full range of care including diagnostic and treatment services to individuals across the lifespan. The department also houses the Sound Beginnings Early Intervention and Pre-School Program to support families of children with hearing loss. Finally, our department has a close relationship with the Institute for Disability Research, Policy, and Practice and their care providers.

Students have opportunites to participate in practicum off-campus. These off-campus sites include such as hospitals, schools for the deaf, long-term and rehabilitation care centers, physician’s offices, public schools and early intervention programs. Placement at out-of-state practicum sites may be offered depending on availability.

Licensure

Students are 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.

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

Graduates from the AuD program are prepared to work in any and all hearling healthcare settings such as hospitals, private practice, industry, U.S. military, research settings, elementary schools, etc. Audiology graduates are prepared to work as clinical, educational, and rehabilitative audiologists. MEd graduates specializing in 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. Graduates from MS/MA specialization in speech-language pathology are prepared to work across the lifespan in diverse medical, rehabilitation, and educational, and early intervention settings. Bachelor-degree graduates are prepared to work in educational settings as Speech-Language Pathology Assistants.

Additional Information

For more information concerning graduation requirements and course sequencing, students should meet with their departmental advisors prior to beginning classes in any COMDDE major. 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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