Communication Sciences and Disorders
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
The Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders provides the pre-professional courses required for graduate study in either speech-language pathology or audiology. The entry level for practice as a speech-language pathologist requires a master's degree in speech-language pathology. A doctorate of audiology (AuD) is required to practice audiology. Upon completion of the advanced degree in either field and the licensure/certification requirements, a person may work in a variety of settings, including schools or other education agencies, medical clinics or other medical/nursing facilities, health agencies, or private practice.
Admissions Requirements
Students who wish to change their major to Communication Sciences and Disorders after completing coursework at work a Baylor may do so during the eligibility period, from the end of a full semester once final grades are posted through the 5th class day of the following term. Transfer students and students who wish to change their major to Communication Sciences and Disorders after completing work at Baylor must have a minimum GPA of 2.5. All CSD students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in CSD coursework.
Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD)
CSD 1305 American Sign Language I (3)
Introduction to American Sign Language and Deaf culture: grammar, lexicalized signs, numbers and basic conversational language.
CSD 1308 Survey of Speech Pathology and Audiology (3)
An introduction to the nature and causes of speech, language, and hearing disorders and speech-language pathology as an educational and clinical field.
CSD 1V9R Research (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor
Undergraduate research undertaken under the supervision of a faculty member. May be taken for a maximum of 6 hours.
CSD 2101 Professional Career Development (1)
Resume and cover letter writing, interviewing, networking, and presenting professional self. Exploration of career options, including assessments, internships, job search process, and graduate school admission specific to Communication Sciences and Disorders.
CSD 2301 American Sign Language III (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Minimum grade of C in CSD 1306
Development of intermediate skills with a focus on expressive language: grammar, non-manual markers, classifiers, lexicalized signs, and storytelling.
CSD 2302 American Sign Language IV (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Minimum grade of C in CSD 2301 or passing score on the ASL placement exam
Continuation of CSD 2301: conversation, composition, grammar review, cultural readings, and ASL literature.
CSD 2311 Introduction to Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders (3)
Introduction to Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders is designed to teach students the fundamentals of research within the field. This course is intended to provide students with an understanding of what research is, what it is used for, how it is conducted, how it is reported, and how to read it. Students will explore research databases and other sources of research and learn how to search for appropriate journal articles. This course will introduce key research concepts including research questions, hypotheses, variables, sampling methods, and data collection techniques. This course will provide student with an understanding of the ethical behaviors required to conduct research with human subjects. Students may learn about current research being conducted in the field of CSD and how to get involved in research during the undergraduate program.
CSD 2312 Civil Discourse for Health Professions (3)
This course focuses on preparing students to be global citizens and stewards in their roles as healthcare professionals.
CSD 2318 Language Development (3)
Linguistic theory and language development in children who are typically developing.
CSD 2351 Introduction to Phonological Science (3)
Pre-requisite(s): For CSD majors only
Introduction to the phonological rules and processes of American English and an examination of descriptive, physiological, and acoustic phonetics.
CSD 2356 Anatomy and Physiology (3)
A study of the anatomy and physiology of speech.
CSD 2V9R Research (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor
Undergraduate research undertaken under the supervision of a faculty member. May be taken for a maximum of 6 hours.
CSD 3301 Introduction to Clinical Audiology (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Must have completed and earned a "B" or better in each of the following courses: CSD 1308, 2318, 2351, and 2356
Hearing sciences and approaches for evaluating hearing: anatomy and physiology of the ear, the decibel, ear pathology, pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and acoustic-immittance audiometry.
CSD 3302 Language Disorders in Children (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Must have completed and earned a "B" or better in each of the following courses: CSD 1308, 2318, 2351, and 2356
Basic principles of intervention and assessment for children with language impairments.
CSD 3308 Introduction to Speech Sound Disorders (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Must have completed and earned a "B" or better in each of the following courses: CSD 1308, 2318, 2351, and 3357
Disorders of articulation and phonologic processes, including etiology, methods of assessment, and techniques for remediation.
CSD 3310 Principles of Interpreting (3)
The profession of interpreting, including Code of Ethics, certification criteria, roles and responsibilities of an interpreter, and compensation.
CSD 3311 American Sign Language V (3)
This course builds on students’ receptive and expressive skills in American Sign Language, challenging them to engage with more complex constructs within the realms of general discourse, performance narrative, and academic discussion.
CSD 3312 Deaf Culture (3)
A study of Deaf Culture, with special attention to historical and contemporary perspectives of the Deaf community: history, values, identity and enculturation, family, community, religion, language, arts, and education.
CSD 3313 Linguistics of American Sign Language (3)
This course will focus on specific aspects of linguistics and cognition that occur in a visual language as compared/contrasted to/with a spoken language.
CSD 3314 ASL Literature and Arts (3)
Pre-requisite(s): CSD 3311
This course provides an overview of different genres of American Sign Language literature and art. Drama, fiction, folklore, humor, painting, short stories, and other forms of literature and arts relative to the Deaf community will be explored.
CSD 3358 Speech Science (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Must have completed and earned a 'B' or better in each of the following courses: CSD 1308, 2318, 2351, and 2356
Basic sciences underlying speech and hearing: physics of sound, the decibel, instrumentation, speech production, speech perception, and audition.
CSD 3359 Neuroscience in Communication Sciences and Disorders (3)
This course is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to the neuroscience of speech, language, and swallowing and hearing. The student will learn about the relationship of neurological structures and functions and how this knowledge applies to the assessment and intervention of communication and swallowing disorders.
CSD 3362 Community and Culture in CSD (3)
Relates cultural background to normal development of speech and language. Topics include sound system acquisition, syntax, pragmatics, and professional issues and concerns.
CSD 3V9R Research (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor
Undergraduate research undertaken under the supervision of a faculty member. May be taken for a maximum of 6 hours.
CSD 4249 Clinical Application of Speech-Language Pathology (2)
Pre-requisite(s): CSD 4477 or concurrent enrollment
Clinical application of approaches for identifying, assessing, and treatment of individuals with communication disorders.
CSD 4305 Technology and Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Completed and earned a "B" or better in CSD 1308, CSD 2318, CSD 2351, and CSD 3357 and must have completed and passed CSD 4301, CSD 4358
This course is designated to provide a comprehensive introduction to the technology used in the science of studying speech, language, hearing, and swallowing. Current technology used during research and clinical practice in the field of communication sciences and disorders will be presented.
CSD 4308 Disorders of Speech and Swallowing (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Must have completed and earned a "B" or better in each of the following courses: CSD 1308, 2318, 2351, and 3357
Etiologies, characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of speech and swallowing.
CSD 4309 Medical Speech-Language Pathology (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Must have completed and earned a "B" or better in each of the following courses: CSD 1308, 2318, 2351, and 3357
Etiologies, characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders associated with medical speech pathology.
CSD 4312 Advanced Clinical Audiology (3)
Pre-requisite(s): CSD 4301 and must have completed and earned a "B" or better in CSD 1308, 2318, 2351, and 3357
Routine and advanced audiologic measures, including masking and evoked-potential tests. Practical clinical experiences.
CSD 4322 ASL/English Interpreting I (3)
Pre-requisite(s): CSD 2302
An introduction to the process of interpreting and development of required skills: communication theory, non-verbal communication, intralingual skills, translation to and from written English texts, and consecutive interpreting.
CSD 4323 ASL/English Interpreting II (3)
A continuation of ASL/English Interpreting I. Continued development of necessary interpreting skills, with an emphasis on simultaneous interpreting.
CSD 4352 Diagnostic Methods (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Must have completed and earned a "B" or better in each of the following courses: CSD 1308, 2318, 2351, and 3357
A study of diagnostic methods used in speech and language pathology, including interviewing, taking case histories, testing, and counseling. Evaluation of the standardization, reliability, and validity of existing tests. Practical application is required.
CSD 4368 Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation (3)
Pre-requisite(s): CSD 4301 or consent of instructor; and must have completed and earned a "B" or better in each of the following courses: CSD 1308, 2318, 2351, and 3357
Methods for rehabilitating persons with hearing impairment: evaluating communicative needs, amplification devices, auditory-visual training, and modes of communication for the deaf and hearing impaired.
CSD 4477 Clinical Methods (4)
Pre-requisite(s): CSD 3308; and must have completed and earned a "B" or better in each of the following courses: CSD 1308, 2318, 2351, and 3357; Students must be classified as Seniors to enroll in this course
Methods for treating individuals who have communication disorders. Observation of therapy conducted in the Baylor Speech, Hearing, and Language Clinic is required.
CSD 4V85 Special Problems in Communication Sciences and Disorders (1-6)
Pre-requisite(s): Fifteen semester hours in Communication Sciences and Disorders
A conference course providing additional study in communication sciences and disorders. May be repeated once for credit.
CSD 4V86 Health Science Leadership: Community Engagement and Service-Learning (1-3)
Pre-requisite(s): Minimum GPA of 3.5, junior or senior hours, and consent of instructor following application and interview process; Must demonstrate flexibility and enjoy working with children
Intensive integration of academic study and service-learning experiences with the community. Approval to take this course must be obtained from the faculty member and the CSD Chair. Selection preference will be based on seniority and personal interviews. Application deadlines and information can be located on the Baylor CSD website, under the Current Students tab. This course may be repeated once with faculty approval.
CSD 4V87 Health Science Leadership: Applied Research (1-3)
Intensive integration of academic study with an active research project under the supervision of a Communication Sciences & Disorders faculty member. Approval to take this course must be obtained from the faculty member and CSD Chair. This course may be repeated once if research continues.
CSD 4V98 Health Science Leadership: Community Engagement and Service-Learning (1-3)
Intensive integration of academic study and service-learning experiences within a community. Approval to take this course must be obtained from the faculty member and the CSD Chair.
CSD 4V9R Research (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor
Undergraduate research undertaken under the supervision of a faculty member. May be taken for a maximum of 6 hours.