2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog
Communication Science, BA
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Return to: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
The Department of Communication Science and Disorders offers an undergraduate major in Communication Science. The degree program focuses on the anatomical, physiological, and psychological foundations of communication, as well as the basic structure of language and the process of speech and language development. The degree program is designed to develop critical thinking skills, including the ability to evaluate scientific information. Additionally, students are exposed to evidence-based practices, introductory research and clinical methods, discussions surrounding issues of equity, justice and inclusion, and the importance of interprofessional collaboration. With a bachelor’s degree in Communication Science, graduates will have a collection of transferable skills that can be applied to a graduate program or taken directly into the workplace.
This major is particularly appropriate for students considering graduate study and a career in Speech-Language Pathology [SLP] or Audiology [AuD]. (A graduate degree is required for clinical practice in both professions.) Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology are among the most attractive and diverse healthcare and educational professions available. Projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics indicate job growth in both Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. The future of the job market is healthy due to increasing public awareness of the need for early diagnosis and intervention for communication disorders. Other factors impacting employment include increased awareness of the educational, social, and vocational benefits of programs for communication disorders and an aging population. The need for speech, language, and hearing scientists is also great; there are many research and academic opportunities for those interested in research including careers in higher education.
The degree program in Communication Science is also excellent preparation for professional or graduate programs in education-related fields (i.e., education of the deaf and hard of hearing, early-childhood, special education) or health-related professions (i.e., rehabilitation counseling, occupational therapy, physical therapy). The necessary prerequisites for these programs can be taken while completing the Communication Science degree.
Interested students should contact the Director of Undergraduate Education in Communication Science Professor Ali Lewandowski at ael89@pitt.edu.
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Admission Requirements
Requirements for students who entered the University of Pittsburgh as first-year students in or prior to Fall 2022 applying for Fall 2023 or Fall 2024 admission:
Applicants must complete the Prerequisite courses and 6 credits of coursework from the Additional Requirements listed below.
Requirements for students entering the University of Pittsburgh in Fall 2022 as first-year students, and students currently enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh and external transfer students entering the upper-level programs offered at SHRS in Fall 2024:
Prerequisites must be completed for a letter grade, minimum grade of C- (C for transfer) unless otherwise noted; with the exception of AP/IB credits and/or exemptions awarded by the University of Pittsburgh. Courses listed below are offered at the Pittsburgh Campus; courses taken at the regional Pitt campuses or external institutions must be evaluated as equivalent to satisfy these requirements.
- Seminar in Composition*, 1 course
- Writing Intensive, 1 course: ENGCMP 0400, 0450, 0530 or 0535
- Oral Communication, 1 course: COMMRC 0520 preferred; 0310, 0500, 0510, 0530 acceptable.
- College Math, 1 course: MATH 0031 or higher math required. Exemption not accepted **
- Statistics, 1 course: STAT 0200 or STAT 1000 required
- Introduction to Psychology, PSY 0010
- Biological Science, 1 course: Human Biology (BIOSC 0150, 0805, 0815) or any Human Anatomy & Physiology course
- Physical Science, 1 course: Physics (PHYS 0091 or PHYS 0110) OR Chemistry (CHEM 0110 or higher)
- Other Course Requirements (to be met before graduation)
- Social Science* OR Quantitative and Formal Reasoning*, 1 course
- Diversity*, 1 course.
- Philosophical Thinking or Ethics*, 1 course
- Literature*, 1 ENGLIT course
- Lifespan/Human Development, 1 course: HHD 0005, REHSCI 1245, or PSY 0310
- Cognitive/Neurological Foundations, 1 course: PSY 0405, 0410, 0422, 0505, 0510; or NROSCI 0080, 0081, 1000
- Cross-Cultural Awareness*, Global Issues*, or Specific Geographic Region*, 1 course from any of these three categories. May also be satisfied through Study Abroad.
*See the DSAS Catalog
**At least 6 semester hour credits in college level mathematics are required to obtain certification through the Pennsylvania Department of Education (i.e., any school-based professional in Pennsylvania).
Additional Requirements
- Complete the application for admission. Please visit the SHRS website to access information about applying.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 (based on 4.0) is required for admission. Students with a lower GPA may be admitted provisionally. 60 credits are required to begin the program. (students with a minimum of 54 credits may be eligible)
- Application Deadline: March 15th. Application review begins in January. If spots are available after the deadline applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the class is full. Applications may be submitted while prerequisite coursework is in progress.
The application includes the following elements:
- Responses to question prompts
- Resume
- Applicants enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh are not required to submit a letter of recommendation
- Transcripts from all institutions attended; Pitt students do not need to provide transcripts if they have already been submitted to the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh First-Year Guarantee
An entering first-year student may qualify for a guarantee into the graduate programs in Audiology or Speech-Language Pathology. For consideration for the Guaranteed Admissions Program, indicate intended field of study as “Communication Science” on your application when applying as a first-year student (at regional campuses, choose corresponding codes).
At the time of application to the graduate program, guaranteed students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.6 or better and a GPA of 3.75 in the core communication science major courses. A full application must be submitted on time.
Early Decision for Graduate Programs
Students pursuing an undergraduate degree in Communication Science from the University of Pittsburgh are eligible to apply Early Decision to either the graduate program in Audiology or Speech-Language Pathology. Early Decision applications should only be submitted when the University of Pittsburgh graduate program is a student’s top choice, AND the student does not intend to apply to any other graduate programs. Information about the application process and applicant qualifications are available from the Communication Science Program Director or the Academic Advisor of the Communication Science Program.
Communication Science Curriculum
SHRS requires a minimum of 120 credits for graduation.
First-years and sophomores who are interested in the major should contact the Communication Science advisor, Dave Bodnar at dab308@pitt.edu for specialized advising about the major.
Core Curriculum Requirements (47 credits)
Most of the core courses in Communication Science degree program are taken after admission at the junior year level. Four of the core courses are available at the first-year and sophomore year level or can be completed as part of the Communication Science degree program at the junior year level. Several core courses have prerequisites resulting in a sequence of courses. The course sequence is represented in the example Plan of Study. Interested students should be aware that the core courses or sequence of courses may change.
Core Courses Available to First Year and Sophomore Students
The following courses are available to students at the first-year and sophomore year level including students not formally in the Communication Science major.
Open to students of all levels:
- CSD 1232 - INTRODUCTION TO AUDIOLOGY
- CSD 1230 - INTRODUCTION TO SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY
Open to sophomores and higher:
- CSD 1020 - NATURE OF LANGUAGE OR LING 1000 - INTRODUCTION TO LINGUISTICS
- CSD 1102 - INTRODUCTION TO PROFESSIONAL AND CLINICAL ISSUES IN COMMUNICATION SCIENCE & DISORDERS
Plan of Study
This plan of study identifies the sequence of core courses offered in the Communication Science degree program. A course schedule for each semester may also include any remaining Prerequisites Requirements or Additional Requirements, minor or certificate courses, or other elective courses. Students are required to have an individual advising appointment with the Communication Science Academic Advisor every semester prior to registering for classes for the upcoming term.
Junior Fall
If not already completed -
- CSD 1020 - NATURE OF LANGUAGE
- CSD 1232 - INTRODUCTION TO AUDIOLOGY
- CSD 1111 - AURAL REHABILITATION You must have completed CSD 1232 with a C- or better to enroll in this course.
Core Courses Fall Junior Year
- CSD 1023 - ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF SPEECH
- CSD 1027 - LAB IN ANAT/PHYSIOLOGY OF SPEECH
- CSD 1233 - INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Junior Spring
If not already completed -
- CSD 1230 - INTRODUCTION TO SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY
- CSD 1102 - INTRODUCTION TO PROFESSIONAL AND CLINICAL ISSUES IN COMMUNICATION SCIENCE & DISORDERS
Core Courses Spring Junior Year
- CSD 1021 - LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
- CSD 1026 - SPEECH SCIENCE You must complete CSD 1023 with a C- or better to enroll in this course.
- CSD 1030 - LAB IN SPEECH SCIENCE
Senior Fall
If not already completed -
- CSD 1111 - AURAL REHABILITATION You must complete CSD 1232 with a C- or better to enroll in this course.
Core Courses Fall Senior Year
- CSD 1024 - ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF HEARING
- CSD 1029 - LAB IN ANAT/PHYSIOLGY OF HEARING
- CSD 1022 - TRANSCRIPTION PHONETICS
Senior Spring
Core Courses Spring Senior Year
- CSD 1025 - HEARING SCIENCE You must complete CSD 1024 with a C- or better to enroll in this course.
- CSD 1028 - LAB IN HEARING SCIENCE
- CSD 1235 - CLINICAL METHODS IN COMMUNICATION SCIENCE & DISORDERS
- CSD 1234 - WRITTING PRACTICUM FOR CLINICAL METHODS IN COMMUNICATION SCIENCE & DISORDERS
- CSD 1237 - INTRO TO NEUROSCIENCE OF COMMUNICATION
Optional Course
- CSD 1031 - GUIDED CLINICAL OBSERVATION
Related Area / Minors and Certificates / Directed or Independent Studies
No additional related area is required for this undergraduate degree.
Many students are able to complete certificate programs or minors in addition to the major requirements in Communication Science. In recent years, students have attained certificates in Conceptual Foundations of Medicine, Latin American studies, American Sign Language, and Children’s Literature and minors in Education, Neuroscience, Linguistics, Social Work and Sociology, among others. These are only a few of the many certificate programs and minors available at the University of Pittsburgh.
In some locations, employment within an educational setting requires additional courses for certification. Students considering work in educational settings should consider enrolling in education courses (i.e., IL 1257 - TEACHING ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS) as electives. Students can consult with the CSD Advising Office for more information.
Students should consult with Dave Bodnar (dab308@pitt.edu) or the Director of the Communication Science Program, Professor Ali Lewandowski (ael89@pitt.edu) about the possibility of pursuing a directed or independent study with a member of the faculty, as a formal approval process is required. Opportunities are also available for students at all levels to volunteer in a research lab with a Communication Science and Disorders faculty member.
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Return to: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
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