UWM Undergraduate Catalog 2012-2013

Appeal Procedures. Students who are refused admission to the major may appeal the decision by writing to the department chairperson and enumerating the reasons they believe their case is exceptional and merits additional consideration. If possible, the appeal should be accompanied by written support from one or more of the faculty, and should include documentation of any extenuating circumstances cited in support of the appeal. A committee composed of the entire faculty of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders will consider individual student appeals for admission to the major. Students are notified in writing of the faculty’s decision concerning the appeal.

Academic Advising. Advising for all undergraduate students is provided by the Office of Student Services, Merrill 115, and students are strongly encouraged to confer with that advisor at least once each semester. Students are also encouraged to meet with a Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders faculty member to discuss the requirements and challenges of a career as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist. Seniors should meet with their advisor to review their final year of study and discuss opportunities for graduate study.

Degree Requirements. Students must achieve the following:

Any variations from the required curriculum must be approved in writing by the undergraduate program coordinator. Students may request changes to degree requirements by processing a Program Change Request Form which is available in the Office of Student Services, Merrill 115.

Course of Study. The undergraduate preprofessional curriculum emphasizes the study of the anatomical, physical, physiological, and psychological bases of speech, language and hearing. Undergraduate courses offer students a survey of communication disorders, as well as an opportunity for clinical observation and direct management of patients with communication disorders.

Three educational options are available: (1) the Health Care Track for professional practice in a medical or rehabilitation facility, (2) the School Track for students interested in employment in a school setting, and (3) the option of completing both tracks for students who want preparation for employment in both settings.

Students working toward eventual professional certification in speech-language pathology will need transcript credit (including coursework, advanced placement credit, CLEP, or examination of equivalency) in each of the following areas: biological sciences, physical sciences, social/behavioral sciences, and mathematics. This is required by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) for certification candidates. A 3-credit course in each of these areas is advised. The department requires a course in statistics prior to matriculation into the graduate program. This course is acceptable as fulfillment of ASHA's mathematics requirement.

Departmental clinical facilities include the (1) Speech and Language Clinic, where students gain practical experience in evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of individuals with communication disabilities; (2) a community audiology clinic (Community Audiology Services); and (3) laboratories for additional study of stuttering and fluency, alternative and augmentative communication, speech acoustics, speech physiology, dysphagia, and child language.

Additional details about the major, including a recommended four-year course sequence, may be found in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program description, available in the Office of Student Services, Merrill 115.

Required Courses For Both Health Care and School Tracks

Courses

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Communication Sciences and Disorders