Communication Sciences and Disorders
The communication sciences and disorders major has moved from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to the College of Public Health and Health Professions (PHHP) and the requirements for degree completion have changed.
About This Major
- College: Public Health and Health Professions
- Degree: Bachelor of Health Science
- Hours for Degree: 120
- Minor: Yes
- Website: cd.phhp.ufl.edu
Overview
Students should follow the plan below for course choices.
- Junior/Senior advising is available in the department. Students whose last names begin with A-M should see Betsy Vinson in 464 Dauer Hall; Students whose last names begin with N-Z should see Dr. Scott Griffiths in 339 Dauer Hall.
- Freshman/Sophomore advising is available in person in G-205 HPNP Complex, via email at advising@phhp.ufl.edu and on the phone at 352.273-6400.
The communication sciences and disorders major includes didactic and experiential activities for students to learn foundation skills necessary for success in professions such as speech-language pathology, audiology and communication sciences, all of which require graduate degrees. The undergraduate program exposes students to three major areas: audiology, phonetics and speech-language pathology. In addition, students complement core courses with electives to round out their academic skills and interests.
Upon successful completion of the major, students receive the Bachelor of Health Science degree. While the majority of students pursue graduate or professional training in a health field (e.g., speech language pathology, audiology or other graduate degree program), some students seek employment in organizations with a health component after completing the BHS.
Certified clinicians (graduate degree required) often work with a team of psychologists, teachers, families, therapists, physicians, nurses, dietitians and social workers to screen, diagnose and treat individuals ranging from infants to the elderly. Professionals typically work in schools, clinics, hospitals, other health organizations and/or private practice. Communication sciences and disorders professions offer a high degree of satisfaction to their practitioners by making a significant impact on people's lives. These are growing professions with competitive salaries.
Course Sequence
By the end of semester four, students must have completed all of the following college requirements:
- 60 credit hours
- All general education except diversity
- All math requirements
- 18,000 words of the writing requirement and
- The following courses (or their equivalents) with grades of C or higher:
- BSC 2007 or BSC 2010
- Additional biological science (3 credits); APK 2105C is recommended
- PSB 3002, DEP 3053 or CLP 3144; PSB 3002 is strongly advised
- COM 1000 or SPC 2300 or SPC 2608
- Physical science (3 credits); CHM 2045 or PHY 2004 is recommended
- PSY 2012
- Science lab (1 credit)
- STA 2023
- By the end of semester five, all students must also have completed:
- LIN 2210
- EEX 3312 (satisfies general education diversity)
By the end of the senior year, students must have completed:
- 120 credit hours, including all prerequisites
- 29 hours of core SPA coursework with grades of C or higher
- ENC 3254 with grade of C or higher; satisfies 6000 words of writing requirement
- PHC 4101 with grade of C or higher
- 60 credits at the 3000/4000 level, and
- 9 credit hours of PHHP electives
Majors should see a department adviser to create a major plan of study, which becomes the contract for graduation.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan
Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students
Semester 1
- 2.0 GPA on all college level coursework from all institutions
- Complete BSC 2007 (or BSC 2010) or PSY 2012 with minimum grade of C
- Complete 9 hours of general education coursework
Semester 2
- 2.3 GPA on all college level coursework from all institutions
- Complete COM 1000 (or SPC 2300 or SPC 2608) with minimum grade of C
- Complete BSC 2007 (or BSC 2010) or PSY 2012 with minimum grade of C
- Complete 9 additional hours of general education coursework for a total of 18
Semester 3
- 2.7 GPA on all college level coursework from all institutions
- Complete STA 2023 with minimum grade of C
- Complete 1 additional tracking psychology course (PSB 3002, DEP 3053 or CLP 3144) or 3 credits of physical science (CHM 2045 or PHY 2004 recommended) with minimum grade of C
- LIN 2210 recommended this semester if available, with minimum grade of C
- Complete science lab with minimum grade of C or S
- Complete 9 additional hours of general education coursework for a total of 27
Semester 4
- 2.7 GPA on all college level coursework from all institutions
- 2.7 critical tracking GPA based on all attempts
- Complete all critical tracking courses with minimum grades of C
- Complete all general education courses (GE) except diversity (GE-D)
- Complete the math requirement and 18,000 words of the writing requirement
Semester 5
- 2.7 prerequisite and overall GPA on college-level coursework from all institutions
- Complete EEX 3312 and LIN 2210 with minimum grades of C
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
Recommended semester plan
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| PSY 2012 General Psychology (GE-S) or BSC 2007 General Biology (GE-B) | 3 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Elective (HSC 2000 recommended) | 3 |
| Elective (SPA 2024 Human Communication Dynamics recommended) | 3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| BSC 2007 General Biology (GE-B) or PSY 2012 General Psychology (GE-S) | 3 |
| COM 1000 Introduction to Communication Studies or SPC 2300 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication or SPC 2608 Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Humanities/International (GE-H, N) | 3 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| LIN 2210 Phonetic Theory and Transcription, if available this semester | 3 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) (PHY 2004 Applied Physics 1 or CHM 2045 General Chemistry 1 recommended) or Advanced Psychology (GE-S) (PSB 3002 Physiological Psychology, DEP 3053 Developmental Psychology or CLP 3144 Abnormal Psychology) | 3 |
| STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics (GE-M, MR) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Science laboratory (GE-B or P) | 1 |
| Social and Behavioral Science (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| Advanced Psychology (GE-S) (PSB 3002 Physiological Psychology, DEP 3053 Developmental Psychology or CLP 3144 Abnormal Psychology) or Physical Science (GE-P) (PHY 2004 Applied Physics 1 or CHM 2045 General Chemistry 1 recommended) | 3 |
| Biological Science (APK 2105C Applied Human Physiology with Laboratory highly recommended (4) (GE-B) | 3-4 |
| Electives | 5 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Total | 14-15 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| EEX 3312 Exceptional People in School and Society (GE-D) | 3 |
| LIN 2210 Phonetic Theory and Transcription (if not taken in previous semester) | 3 |
| SPA 3032 Fundamentals of Hearing | 3 |
| SPA 4004 Language Development | 3 |
| SPA 4104 Neural Basis of Communication | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| PHC 4101 Public Health Concepts | 3 |
| SPA 3011 Speech Acoustics | 3 |
| SPA 3101 Speech Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| SPA 4302 Audiometry and Hearing Disorders | 3 |
| Elective, 3000 level or higher | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| ENC 3254 Professional Writing in the Discipline (GE-C) | 3 |
| SPA 4050 Clinical Observations in Speech - Language Pathology and Audiology | 2 |
| SPA 4250 Introduction to Speech Disorders | 3 |
| SPA 4400 Introduction to Language Disorders | 3 |
| Electives, 3000 level or higher | 4 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| SPA 4321 Audiologic Rehabilitation | 3 |
| Electives, 3000 level or higher | 12 |
| Total | 15 |