Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

Return to: School of Graduate & Professional Studies

Rockhurst University offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. This degree program prepares students for graduate work in speech-language pathology or audiology. Speech-language pathology is the study of disorders of communication, including their characteristics, assessment, and treatment. Audiology involves the study of disorders of hearing, including the evaluation and rehabilitation of individuals with hearing problems.

The goals and objectives of the undergraduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders are as follows:

Program Goals:

• Providing a broad scientific base for the understanding of normal development of the basic human communication processes; and
• Providing an introduction to the study of disorders of communication, including their characteristics, evaluation, and treatment.

Program Objectives:

The undergraduate program has the primary objectives of:

• Developing students’ knowledge of the principles of biological sciences and physical sciences, mathematics and the social/behavioral sciences;
• Providing students with a broad scientific base for the development of knowledge of basic human communication and swallowing processes, including their biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and  cultural foundations;
• Introducing students to the nature, prevention, causes, evaluation and treatment of speech, language, hearing, and communication disorders and differences, and swallowing disorders, inclusive of issues pertaining to culturally and  linguistically diverse populations across the lifespan;
• Initiating students to the principles and methods of prevention, assessment, and intervention for culturally and linguistically diverse individuals with communication and swallowing disorders;
• Promoting students’ understanding of and appreciation for linguistically diverse individuals by developing basic communication skills in a foreign language;
• Helping students discover ethical principles and standards of ethical conduct in clinical decision making;
• Introducing students to the fundamentals of empirical research and its application to the discipline of communication sciences and disorders;
• Exposing students to the professional issues related to state and national certification, specialty recognition, licensure and the educational preparation of speech-language pathologists; and
• Developing students’ oral and written communication proficiencies.

The bachelor of science program in communication sciences and disorders meets the guidelines of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) as appropriate for an undergraduate program. However, to be eligible for state licensure and ASHA certification, students must earn a graduate degree from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the ASHA. Other requirements for ASHA certification include successful completion of a Clinical Fellowship Year and receipt of a passing score on the PRAXIS examination.

Students are required to earn a grade of C or better in all CSD courses (a grade of C- will not satisfy the requirement). Students are encouraged to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the major as well as an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, as most graduate programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0 for admission.

Freshman Pre-Admission Criteria for Pre-Admission into the graduate program

• Minimum high school grade point average of 3.0
• Three units of college preparatory mathematics courses
• Three units of college preparatory science courses
• Three units of English courses
• Minimum 1090 composite on the SAT, or
• Minimum 24 composite on the ACT

Requirements for Maintaining Pre-Admission Status in the CSD Program

• Achieve a 3.2 grade point average each semester and maintain a 3.2 science and cumulative GPA through the end of the RU Junior year 
• Complete the Communication Sciences and Disorders application for admission before September 1st of the Senior year
• Meet once each semester with CSD Academic Advisor

Requirements for Admission as a CSD Graduate Scholar

Rockhurst undergraduate students with outstanding academic work may apply for advance admission status through the Communication Sciences and Disorders Scholars Program.

• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.4 at the end of the Junior year
• Minimum major grade point average of 3.4 at the end of the Junior year
• Complete the Communication Sciences and Disorders application for graduate admission by May 1 of the Junior year
• Met once each semester with CSD Academic Advisor

Admission to the Graduate Program

The CSD Graduate Program accommodates multiple points of acceptance for interested students. For the Rockhurst undergraduate CSD major, these include Freshman Pre-Admission, the CSD Scholars Program, and regular acceptance during the final year of undergraduate coursework. Post-baccaulaureate students are promoted into the graduate program upon successful completion of the prerequisite coursework.

Programs

• Communication Sciences and Disorders, B.S.

• Communication Sciences and Disorders Minor

• Communication Sciences and Disorders Post-Baccalaureate Prep-Track

Return to: School of Graduate & Professional Studies