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Undergraduate Programs in CSD

Undergraduate Program FAQs

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) is considered one of the premier programs in the United States for training health care professionals and consumers of research in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. The Department offers an undergraduate program in CSD and a graduate training program in Speech-Language Pathology (M.S. and Ph.D) and Audiology (Ph.D). The following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the CSD undergraduate program have been divided into four areas:

FAQs about the Profession
FAQs about the CSD Undergraduate Program
FAQs from Students in the CSD Major
FAQs about Graduate Schools

FAQS ABOUT THE PROFESSION

Q. What is a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)?
SLPs are health care professionals who provide intervention, diagnostic, and therapeutic services to children and adults having a communication disability such as a speech and/or language disorder. SLPs are employed in school systems, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private practices, and in numerous other health related systems. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) provides more information on their website by going to Students then Career Information.
Q. What is an Audiologist?
Audiologists are health care professionals who provide intervention, diagnostic, and therapeutic services to children and adults having a hearing disability. Audiologists are employed in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private practices, and in numerous other health related systems. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) provides more information on their website by going to Students then Career Information. The American Academy of Audiology (AAA) also provides information on their website concerning careers in Audiology.
Q. What are requirements for becoming a SLP or Audiologist?
The requirements for a SLP include an undergraduate and graduate (Master’s) degree in CSD, a paid work experience called a Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) following the Master’s degree, and passing a national examination. Once these requirements are completed, an individual is eligible for a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in SLP issued by ASHA and a state license to practice Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology. The Master’s Degree must be obtained from a graduate program accredited by ASHA to obtain CCC. If a student does not have an undergraduate degree in CSD, the Master’s Degree program is typically three rather than two years.
Currently, an Audiologist must have a Doctoral Degree (Au.D. or Ph.D.). The Au.D. will require 75 semester hours of post-baccalaureate credit hours and becomes effective for persons who apply for ASHA certification after December 31, 2006. The requirement for a Au.D. is necessary for persons who apply for ASHA certification after December 31, 2001.
Q. Where can I find out more about the profession of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology?
One of the best sources is the Internet. The search engine key words would include speech pathology, language pathology, audiology, and speech-language pathology. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national association responsible for many aspects of the profession including certification, public awareness, governmental issues, developing guidelines for practice, publications, and setting standards for the professions of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. The American Academy of Audiology (AAA) is a professional organization devoted to the profession of Audiology. AAA develops guidelines for scope of practice, public awareness, governmental issues, and practice policies for Audiologists. Another site for students thinking about going into Audiology is the National Association of Future Doctors of Audiology.
Q. What are the employment opportunities for a SLP or Audiologist?
SLP and Audiology are listed in the top 10 health care professions in the United States. The job market for both SLPs and Audiologists has been holding steady for the last five years and is expected to hold steady or slightly decline over the next five years. However, the job market is then expected to rapidly increase as the “baby boomer” generation retires.
Q. What is the average salary of a SLP or Audiologist?
Opportunities should be particularly favorable for those with an ability to speak a second language, such as Spanish. The median annual earnings for speech language pathologists were $57,710 in May of 2006 according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Q. Will I be able to get a job as a SLP or an Audiologist with just a Bachelor’s degree in CSD?
The job market is extremely limited for someone with only a Bachelor’s degree. This occurs because people with only a Bachelor’s degree do not have sufficient academic or clinical training. A Master’s degree in CSD is the minimal entry level degree to work as an SLP and a doctoral degree as an Audiologist (Au.D. or Ph.D.) in the profession because every state requires that SLPs and Audiologists be licensed to practice. Among other things, the requirements for license include a Master’s degree. Students thinking about a career as a SLP must be prepared to obtain a Master’s degree in CSD. Students thinking about a career in Audiology must be prepared to obtain a Doctoral degree in Audiology.

FAQS ABOUT THE CSD UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM

Q. Where can I find out more about the Penn State Undergraduate Program in CSD?
Further information about the CSD undergraduate program can be found at http://csd.hhdev.psu.edu/ and also available by contacting Robert Prosek, (814) 863-2021, RAP6@psu.edu, Connie Kossan (814) 863-2290, CIK4@psu.edu, or Deborah Kern (814) 865-3584, DAK16@psu.edu.
Q. How many credits and how long does it take to complete the CSD undergraduate major?
The major requires a minimum of 120 credits (where a minimum of 45 credits are for General Education courses and a minimum of 57 credits are used to complete course work in the CSD major). Students can finish the degree requirements in four years (8 semesters, no summer school) by taking 15-16 credits per semester.
Q. What courses should I take if I want to explore CSD as a major?
Students wishing to explore CSD as a possible major should consider taking one or more of the following courses:
  1. PSU 014.200 First-Year Seminar in Communication Sciences and Disorders, 1 credit (can only be taken during first year; counts as the First-Year Seminar Requirement if no other First-Year Seminar has been taken)
  2. CSD 146 Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders, 3 credits
  3. CSD 230 Introduction to Audiology, 3 credits
  4. CSD 245 Professional Programs and Relationships, 2 credits
  5. CSD 269DF Deafness and Society, 3 credits
  6. CSD 100 GHA Prevention of Vocal Abuse (1.5 credits effective Spring semester 2003 and can count as a General Education Requirement in the area of Health and Physical Activity)
  7. CSD 101 GHA Prevention of Hearing Loss (1.5 credits effective Spring semester 2003 and can count as a General Education Requirement in the area of Health and Physical Activity)
Q. How and when should I become a CSD major?
Students should set up an appointment with Connie Kossan, (814) 863-2290, CIK4@psu.edu the CSD Pre-Major Advisor. Ms. Kossan assists undergraduates to change majors or helps DUS students declare a CSD major. Most students declare CSD as their major after they have completed at least 28 credits. Typically, this would be at the end of Spring semester of their first year or the beginning of Fall semester of their second year. Students who declare CSD as their major after their 5th semester and have not taken CSD courses typically will not be able to finish the major in four years and may have to go an extra semester or year.

FAQS FROM STUDENTS IN THE CSD MAJOR

Q. How do I find out my CSD academic advisor?
Students can go to eLion or contact Deborah Kern, (814) 865-3584, DAK16@psu.edu. For immediate advising assistance, students should contact Robert Prosek, (814) 863-2021, RAP6@psu.edu.
Q. When should a Commonwealth College student relocate to University Park?
Commonwealth College Campus students should relocate to University Park by the beginning of Spring semester of their second year or Fall semester of their third year. If a student relocates Fall semester of their third year they must have 58 to 62 credits to graduate in four years. Commonwealth College Campus students should take as many General Education Requirement courses as possible at their campus especially ENGL 202A or C. Further, students must contact Connie Kossan, (814) 863-2290, CIK4@psu.edu, at least one semester prior to relocating to University Park for advising and assistance in course scheduling at University Park.
Q. How do I know what CSD courses to take?
Students must have regular meetings with their advisor to develop their course schedule. Since several CSD courses have to be taken in a sequence and several CSD courses have prerequisites, it is possible that a student’s entire academic plan can be determined at the first meeting with their advisor. However, students are responsible for meeting with their advisor to review their work and develop course schedules.
Q. What is the difference between prescribed and additional courses in the CSD major?
Prescribed courses in the major are those courses that each student must take. The CSD major has 16 prescribed courses. Students must also take additional courses; however, students can select a course within a topic area. The CSD major has four topic areas (statistics, learning theory, child development, and family development). Consequently, students are required to take four additional courses; that is, one from each topic area.
Q. Do I have to take CSD courses in any special order?
Yes. Several CSD courses have to be taken in a sequential order. This occurs because several CSD 300 level courses are prerequisites to CSD 400 level courses and because some CSD courses are only given once per year either Fall or Spring semester.
Q. Can I take a CSD course if I do not have the prerequisite course work?
No. CSD instructors will ask you to leave the class if you do not have the prerequisite course(s).
Q. What courses should I take as electives?
Students should select their electives with the advice of their advisor. Typical electives include CSD 218 American Sign Language I, CSD 318 American Sign Language II, SPLED 400 and 402, CN ED 403 or 404 and 409, courses in Human Development and Family Studies, BioBehavioral Health, and/or Psychology. The more courses that at student has in physical and natural sciences, biology, and genetics the better off they will be when applying to graduate school.
Q. Are CSD courses offered at Penn State Commonwealth Campus locations?
No. Courses in the CSD major are only offered at the University Park campus.
Q. Are CSD courses offered in the summer?
Some CSD courses may be offered. Students should check with their advisor concerning summer course offerings during the middle of Spring semester. Students can also check the list of courses given by the department for any semester or summer session by going to the registrar’s homepage http://www.registrar.psu.edu/. It should be noted that summer courses can be canceled at the last minute because of low enrollment.
Q. Can a course count as a General Education Requirement as well as a Requirement for the Major?
Yes. This is a common practice called “double-dipping” or “double-counting.” For example, PSYCH 100 can count as a Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Science as well as a Prescribed Course in the CSD major. HDFS 129 or PSYCH 212 can count as a Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Science as well as an Additional Course in the CSD major. EDPSY 101 or STAT 200 can count as a Gen Ed Quantification as well as an Additional Course in the CSD major. It should be noted that even though one course can be used to complete two requirements, students do not receive double the credits for the course. Every time that one course counts for two requirements (i.e., “double-dipping”), the number of elective credits will increase by the number of credits of the “double-dipped” course.
Q. Do I have to take Natural Science courses that includes a laboratory?
No. Typically, CSD majors take BI SCI 002, BI SCI 004, a Physical Science, and another Natural Science course to fulfill the Natural Science Gen Ed requirement. For certification, ASHA requires 1 Biological Science (BIO or BI SCI) and 1 Physical Science (GEOSC, METEO, PHYS, CHEM), so students should select courses from these areas. However, CSD students are strongly encouraged to take as many science courses as possible, especially in the area of human biology and anatomy and physics.
Q. What courses in the CSD curriculum require a “C” or better?
University policy requires that each Department must designate several courses in its major as “C” or better courses. The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders has decided that all CSD courses are "C" or better.  This means that any CSD course in which a student earns a "D" or "F" must be repeated.
Q. What happens if I get a “D or F” in a CSD “C” or better course?
Students who receive a "D" or "F" in a CSD course must repeat the course to earn a grade of "C" or better. All CSD courses are "C" or better. If the student retakes the course and obtains a “C” or better grade, the credits earned for retaking the course will be applied to the students GPA and the number of credits needed for graduation; however, the credits obtained the first time the course was taken will not count towards the number of credits needed for graduation. This occurs because the same course was taken twice and the Penn State duplicate course rule applies. Further, the first grade and the retake grade will not be averaged into one grade. Each grade will appear on the student’s transcript. If a CSD major receives a grade of F, D, or even a C in a CSD course, it should serve as a very strong warning that the student’s overall GPA and GPA in the major might not be high enough to meet graduate school requirements.
Q. Do I have to complete course work within the College of Health and Human Development?
No. CSD majors do not have to complete credits of course work within the College of Health and Human Development that are not CSD courses. However, students typically take HDFS 129 and 229 to complete additional requirements for the major.
Q. Do I have to complete the Penn State Intercultural and International Competence (GI) requirement?
Yes. Taking CSD 269(GI) fulfills this University requirement.
Q. Do I have to complete the Penn State Writing Across the Curriculum requirement?
Yes. Taking both CSD 395W and 459W fulfills this University requirement.
Q. Which CSD courses are offered every semester?
Typically, all CSD curses are offered every semester. There are some exceptions, however, so it is up to you to contact an advisor.
Q. Should I obtain a minor?
A minor is not necessary, but it can be very helpful. About 15-20% of CSD undergraduates obtain a minor in areas like Human Development and Family Studies, Gerontology, Psychology, Health Planning, Spanish or a related area. Students interested in obtaining a minor should meet with their CSD advisor as soon as possible to make sure that they have enough elective credits that can be used to complete a minor. Typically, minors require 18 credits in the minor area where 6 of the 18 credits must be in 400 level courses.
Q. Can I study abroad?
Yes. However, students must plan well in advance and consult with their CSD advisor. Within the CSD program, students can study abroad any Summer session or Spring semester of their Junior year. If the study abroad is done Spring semester of the Junior year, students must have completed CSD 146, 301, and 331 prior to going abroad. Students typically take several of their General Education courses during their study abroad.
Q. Can I take a CSD course(s) at another University and have it transferred to Penn State?
Yes. The Department has a policy concerning the rules and procedures for transferring a course(s) taken at another University into the CSD major. These rules and regulations must be followed. Students should meet with their advisor or Robert Prosek, (814) 863-2021, RAP6@psu.edu, prior to taking a course at another University to see if it would transfer into the CSD major.
Q. Can I take a General Education course(s) at another University and have it transferred to Penn State?
Yes. Students should meet with Connie Kossan, (814) 863-2290, CIK4@psu.edu, to be sure that the General Education course they wish to transfer will be accepted by Penn State.
Q. Should I do volunteer work or an internship with a SLP or Audiologist?
Yes. The more you know about the profession and observe the work of SLPs and Audiologists the better. However, undergraduate students cannot do speech-language therapy or audiology since it is against the law in almost every state. Volunteer work of any type is very good to list on a resume when applying for graduate school.
Q. Should I get to know CSD faculty and the type of research they are doing?
Yes. The CSD faculty strongly encourages students to visit with them during their office hours. Several CSD faculty allow students to do an independent study on their ongoing research projects.
Q. When and where can I obtain a copy of my Penn State Degree Audit?
The latest degree audits and other information are available on eLion.
Q. Should I join the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA)?
Yes. NSSLHA members have monthly meetings concerning topics in CSD, can receive ASHA journals at a very reduced cost, and are entitled to a reduction ASHA membership fee. Also, this is a very good way to meet students already in the major. A listing of NSSLHA meeting times is on the bulletin board outside 110 Moore. For more information contact Eileen Kowalski, (EMK15@psu.edu, (814) 863-3118), or Kelly Webb (KDW5@psu.edu, (814) 863-3115.)
Q. Should I join the Penn State Sign Language Organization (PSSLO)?
Yes. The PSSLO welcomes all students regardless of sign language ability and has regular meetings. Joining the PSSLO is a very good idea for students who want to work with the hearing impaired and deaf. Further, this is a good way to meet students in different majors who have an interest in sign language. For more information contact Sommar Chilton, SAH152@psu.edu, (814) 865-6110..
Q. Should I be concerned about my overall GPA and GPA in the CSD major?
Yes. At the end of each semester, students must constantly evaluate their overall GPA and GPA in the CSD major. This occurs because entrance into graduate school is very competitive and GPAs are a major criteria used by graduate schools. As a general rule, the higher the GPA the more likely it is that a student will be admitted to a graduate school. Students with a GPA less than 3.0 or those who have received a C or C+ in CSD courses must be realistic in their expectations for grade improvement, chances of getting into a graduate school, and are strongly encouraged to talk with their advisor.
Q. Will I be able to get a job as a Speech-Language Pathologist or Audiologist with just a Bachelor’s Degree in CSD?
The job market for someone with a Bachelor’s Degree in CSD is extremely limited. This occurs because students with a Bachelor’s Degree do not have sufficient training. A Master’s Degree in CSD is considered as the minimal entry level degree to work in the profession of Speech-Language Pathology or a Doctoral degree for an Audiologist (Au.D. or Ph.D.). Also, in many states it is against the law to practice without a state license which requires a Master’s Degree.
Q. Can I obtain a Pennsylvania Department of Education Teaching Certificate in Speech-Language Pathology for working as a Speech-Language Pathologist in a Pennsylvania school system?
No. CSD undergraduate students graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree are NOT eligible for a Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) teaching certificate. The only students recommended for a PDE teaching certificate are those who have completed the CSD Master’s Degree program and several other requirements. If an undergraduate student wants to be a public school SLP following their Master’s Degree they should consider taking the following courses as electives SPLED 400 and 402, and HD FS 129 and 229.

FAQS ABOUT GRADUATE SCHOOLS

Q. How do I find out information about graduate schools in CSD?
The best source is a website devoted to listing ASHA accredited graduate programs.
Q. What are the requirements for admission into a graduate school in CSD?
Every graduate program has their own requirements. Students should request admission materials from a graduate program they may plan to attend, read the materials very carefully, and determine if they meet or exceed the admission requirements before applying. As a general rule, most graduate programs require a cumulative GPA, GPA in the major, and/or last 60 credits GPA >3.00 (some graduate schools require a GPA >3.2 to 3.5), Graduate Record Examination scores greater than the 50th percentile on the verbal and quantitative sections and a 4.5 on the writing section, excellent letters of recommendation, and a well written and strong personal statement. Even though a student may have credentials that meet or exceed the requirements of a graduate program, this will not ensure acceptance by that graduate program.
Q. Which graduates schools are the best?
Students should talk to their advisor and several CSD faculty members to get their opinions. U.S. News and World Report (click education, then graduate school rankings, then health, then Audiology or Speech Pathology).
Q. Where can I find out more about the Penn State Graduate Program in CSD?
Information about the CSD graduate program can be found at http://csd.hhdev.psu.edu/.
Q. When do I apply for admission into a graduate program?
Typically, students request information from several schools during the summer prior to or early Fall semester of their senior year. Students then decide on which graduate programs they are going to apply to and start the application process during the Fall semester of their senior year. Typically, all applications are completed by the end of Fall semester or the very beginning of the Spring semester of the senior year and well in advance of the graduate programs’ due date.
Q. When do I take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)?
Typically, students can get an online GRE Information Bulletin or hardcopy from the information booth in Kern Building or at the Career Center located on the 4th floor of Boucke. The bulletin lists test dates and other information about the GRE. Students should select test dates so that, if necessary, they can re-take the GRE if they are not satisfied with their scores. That is, a student might elect to take the GRE in the summer prior to their senior year so that they can re-take the GRE if necessary during Fall semester of their senior year. The GRE is a very important requirement for many graduate programs. Thus, it is strongly recommended that students use GRE study guides or attend GRE study classes prior to taking the GRE.
Q. Does Penn State accept its own undergraduates into the graduate program?
Yes, provided students met the admission requirements and have credentials that are equal to or exceed applicants from other undergraduate programs.
Q. What can I do if I do not get accepted into a graduate school in CSD?
An undergraduate degree in CSD is a solid foundation for graduate work in other areas including education, special education, counseling, social work, health and human development, vocational rehabilitation, health policy and administration, etc. Further, if a student does not get accepted into a graduate school in CSD, they might wish to sit-out a year, take more undergraduate courses to improve their GPA or re-take the GRE, and then re-apply to graduate schools in CSD or a related profession.