Education in AAC
What courses in AAC are offered at the undergraduate level?
At the undergraduate level, the goal is to promote greater awareness of persons with severe
communication disorders who may benefit from augmentative and alternative communication. Students
are introduced to AAC systems and some applications for individuals who require AAC.
A total of four courses are offered at the undergraduate level:
- CMDIS 451: Introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication
- CMDIS 496: Independent Study - Research in AAC for Undergraduates
- CMDIS 218: Sign Language I
- CMDIS 318: Sign Language II
CMDIS 451: Introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication
This course introduces augmentative and alternative communication systems and techniques useful
for persons with severe communication disorders. Topics include terminology and applications of
AAC, persons requiring AAC systems, unaided and aided systems, evaluation of AAC systems, and
general issues in AAC. Students have the opportunity to learn through hands-on lab experiences
and a class project involving designing a personal communication board.
CMDIS 496: Independent Study - Research in AAC for Undergraduates
Undergraduate students who have a grade point average greater than 3.0 have the opportunity to
participate in research projects designed to improve the outcomes for individuals who require AAC.
Students work on research teams under the supervision of a faculty member. They assist with
reviewing the literature, collecting data, and analyzing results. For further information about
AAC research projects at Penn State, click here.
CMDIS 218: Sign Language I
CMDIS 318: Sign Language II
These courses provide an introduction to sign language and continued development of sign language
skills, through in-class and out-of-class practice. Courses are taught by qualified instructors
with significant expertise in sign language and the deaf community.
In addition to these courses, Penn State's Department of Communication Disorders also offers
courses in child language acquisition and disorders, phonology, principles of clinical management,
and others. For further information about these courses and other undergraduate courses offered
in the Department of Communication Disorders, click here. For a quick overview of the undergraduate program in Communication Disorders at
Penn State, click here.
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