Communication Disorders and Sciences (BA/BS)

Karen Durany, Director, Undergraduate Studies
541-346-2480
kdurany@uoregon.edu

The communication disorders and sciences program prepares you to understand, assess, and treat individuals who are experiencing challenges in speech, language, literacy, communication, cognition, and swallowing. Students learn to address these challenges across diverse ethnic, cultural, linguistic, social and economic backgrounds. We emphasize the ability to apply empirical evidence, logic, and a scientific perspective to the process of enhancing communication skills in meaningful and ecologically valid contexts.

The goals of the communication disorders and sciences program are based on the belief that the ability to communicate effectively is a fundamental right of all human beings. When this right is compromised, society suffers along with the individual.

Coursework in the major focuses on acquiring knowledge in the following areas:

  • anatomical-physiological bases of speech, language, and hearing
  • acoustic properties of sound and speech production
  • role of biology, cognition, environment, and culture in language acquisition
  • development of speech and language
  • speech, language, and hearing disorders across the life span
  • assessment and treatment procedures for individuals with speech, language, and hearing disorders
  • professional issues in speech-language-pathology and audiology

Program plans for the communication disorders and sciences bachelor of arts (BA) and bachelor of science (BS) degrees are located on the program website. 

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Apply information regarding the bases for human communication (e.g., biological, linguistic, and cultural bases) to evaluate clinical scenarios as a precursor to future clinical practice.
  • Demonstrate the prerequisite speaking and expository writing skills to pursue graduate study, clinical training, or work in an allied field post-graduation.
  • Analyze the social impact of communication disorders on affected individuals and families and consider how intersecting identities (e.g., race/ethnicity, SES) further influence that impact.
  • Participate in career and self-development opportunities, particularly during junior and senior years, to determine optimal post-graduation plans.

Students must earn a C– or better or P in required courses.

Communication Disorders and Sciences Major Requirements

LING 150Structure of English Words4
CDS 201Communication Disorders in Society and Media4
CDS 430Speech Pathology-Audiology as Professions2
CDS 431Beginning Clinical Methods3
CDS 442Anatomy and Physiology of Speech Mechanism4
CDS 444Clinical Phonetics and Phonology4
CDS 450Introduction to Language Development4
CDS 455Child and Adolescent Development4
CDS 457Fundamentals of Audiology4
CDS 458Audiology Disorders and Treatment4
CDS 460Developmental Disorders in Communication4
CDS 462Acquired Disorders of Communication4
CDS 470Neuroscience of Speech and Language4
Social-behavioral science course4
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Origins of Storytelling
Sexuality and Culture
PSY or SOC course
Biological science course4
Introduction to Human Physiology
Introduction to Human Genetics
Biology of Cancer
Introduction to Animal Behavior
Science, Policy, and Biology
General Biology I: Cells
General Biology II: Organisms
General Biology III: Ecology and Evolution
General Biology IV: Biochemistry and Genetics
HPHY course (excluding HPHY 211 & HPHY 212)
Physical science course4
CH or PHYS course
Statistics course4
Elementary Statistics I
Statistical Methods in Psychology
Statistical Analysis in Sociology
Area C Elective3-4
Native North Americans
Anthropology of the United States
Immigration and Farmworkers
American Deaf Culture
Introduction to Linguistics Analysis
Biopsychology
Psychology of Gender
Research Methods
Sociology of the Family
Race and Ethnicity
Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics
Spanish Pronunciation and Phonetics
Total Credits68-69

Program Plan

Students must meet with the department’s undergraduate advisor to develop an academic program plan and ensure that general university requirements and communication disorders and sciences prerequisites are met. Beginning fall term of their junior year, students must follow the program plan of courses in their prescribed sequence. Students who fail to do so will likely delay their graduation date.

Four-Year Degree Plan

The degree plan shown is only a sample of how students may complete their degrees in four years. There are alternative ways. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best path for them.

Bachelor of Arts in Communication Disorders and Sciences

Degree Map
First Year
FallMilestonesCredits
BI 121 Introduction to Human Physiology 4
WR 121Z Composition I 4
First term of first-year second-language sequence 5
Elective course 4
 Credits 17
Winter
STAT 243Z Elementary Statistics I 4
PHYS 152 Physics of Sound and Music 4
WR 122Z Composition II 4
Second term of first-year second-language sequence 5
 Credits 17
Spring
PHYS 202 General Physics 4
Third term of first-year second-language sequence 5
General education course in arts and letters 4
General education course in science 4
 Credits 17
 Total Credits 51
Degree Map
Second Year
FallMilestonesCredits
CDS 201 Communication Disorders in Society and Media 4
LING 150 Structure of English Words 4
First term of second-year second-language sequence 4
General education course that also satisfies a multicultural requirement 4
 Credits 16
Winter
Second term of second-year second-language sequence 4
General-education course in social science 4
General-education courses in arts and letters 8
 Credits 16
Spring
CDS 430 Speech Pathology-Audiology as Professions 2
Third term of second-year second-language sequence 4
General-education course in social science 4
General-education course in science 4
 Credits 14
 Total Credits 46
Degree Map
Third Year
FallMilestonesCredits
CDS 442 Anatomy and Physiology of Speech Mechanism 4
CDS 455 Child and Adolescent Development 4
General-education course in social science 4
 Credits 12
Winter
CDS 450 Introduction to Language Development 4
Elective courses 8
 Credits 12
Spring
CDS 444 Clinical Phonetics and Phonology 4
CDS 457 Fundamentals of Audiology 4
Elective courses 8
 Credits 16
 Total Credits 40
Degree Map
Fourth Year
FallMilestonesCredits
CDS 458 Audiology Disorders and Treatment 4
CDS 460 Developmental Disorders in Communication 4
Elective course 4
 Credits 12
Winter
CDS 470 Neuroscience of Speech and Language 4
Elective courses 12
 Credits 16
Spring
CDS 431 Beginning Clinical Methods 3
CDS 462 Acquired Disorders of Communication 4
Elective courses 8
 Credits 15
 Total Credits 43

Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders and Sciences

Degree Map
First Year
FallMilestonesCredits
WR 121Z Composition I 4
MATH 105Z Math in Society 4
BI 121 Introduction to Human Physiology 4
General-education course in science 4
 Credits 16
Winter
WR 122Z Composition II 4
MATH 111Z Precalculus I: Functions 4
General-education course in science 4
General-education course in arts and letters 4
 Credits 16
Spring
PSY 202Z Introduction to Psychology II 4
PHYS 152 Physics of Sound and Music 4
STAT 243Z Elementary Statistics I 4
General-education course that also satisfies a multicultural requirement 4
 Credits 16
 Total Credits 48
Degree Map
Second Year
FallMilestonesCredits
CDS 201 Communication Disorders in Society and Media 4
LING 150 Structure of English Words 4
General-education course in social science 4
General-education course in science 4
 Credits 16
Winter
General-education course in science 4
General-education course in arts and letters 4
Elective courses 8
 Credits 16
Spring
CDS 430 Speech Pathology-Audiology as Professions 2
General-education course in arts and letters 4
Elective courses 8
 Credits 14
 Total Credits 46
Degree Map
Third Year
FallMilestonesCredits
CDS 442 Anatomy and Physiology of Speech Mechanism 4
CDS 455 Child and Adolescent Development 4
Elective course 4
 Credits 12
Winter
CDS 450 Introduction to Language Development 4
Elective courses 8
 Credits 12
Spring
CDS 444 Clinical Phonetics and Phonology 4
CDS 457 Fundamentals of Audiology 4
Elective courses 8
 Credits 16
 Total Credits 40
Degree Map
Fourth Year
FallMilestonesCredits
CDS 458 Audiology Disorders and Treatment 4
CDS 460 Developmental Disorders in Communication 4
Elective course 4
 Credits 12
Winter
CDS 470 Neuroscience of Speech and Language 4
Elective courses 12
 Credits 16
Spring
CDS 431 Beginning Clinical Methods 3
CDS 462 Acquired Disorders of Communication 4
Elective courses 8
 Credits 15
 Total Credits 43