Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

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The faculty of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offer a curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Science in Speech-language Pathology (B.S.S.P.) . The mission of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is to provide challenging academic coursework, clinical experiences, and research opportunities for students pursuing professional careers in speech-language pathology or audiology.

This program combines a broad liberal arts undergraduate curriculum with strong academic coursework and practicum opportunities as a background for the management of communication and swallowing disorders. The program in speech-language pathology prepares students for graduate study since the master’s degree is the entry level into the profession.

Certification

The M.S. degree program in speech-language pathology prepares students for certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), a license from the Oklahoma Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, and school certification in the State of Oklahoma.

The M.S. degree program in speech-language pathology is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Admission/Retention Requirements

Students qualifying for admission to the University may enter this programs. Retention requires majors to earn a grade of at least C in all program courses taken. Courses may be repeated, if necessary, to meet this requirement. Students with a grade point average lower than 3.0 in speech-language pathology courses will enroll in clinical practicum if recommended by faculty. Failure to pass the practicum course will result in non-recommendation for graduate study in speech-language pathology study. Admission to the master’s program in speech-language pathology at The University of Tulsa is not guaranteed to undergraduate majors.

Bachelor of Science in Speech-language Pathology

The bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology is a pre-professional program that provides required course work and clinical experiences for graduate school admission to complete the student’s professional education. Students majoring in speech-language pathology are encouraged to declare their major as sophomores. Major courses are sequenced to prepare students for supervised clinical practicum. Majors also complete a 12-hour minor in consultation with their advisor. Admission to the master’s program in speech-language pathology at The University of Tulsa is not guaranteed to undergraduate majors.

Learning Objectives

1. Students demonstrate comprehension of the process of typical language and literacy development in children.
2. Students demonstrate knowledge and skills related to the assessment and intervention of articulation/phonological skills in children and adults.
3. Students demonstrate comprehension of the muscles and functions of respiration and speech.
4. Students demonstrate knowledge related to the acoustic properties of speech/hearing, processes of speech production/perception and skills to utilize appropriate methods and instrumentation that measure acoustic properties of speech.
5. Students demonstrate comprehension of atypical language development and application of basic language sample analysis skills.
6. Students demonstrate knowledge of hearing screening/assessment and interpretation of audiograms.
7. Students demonstrate knowledge and methods to facilitate communication in persons who are hard-of-hearing.
8. Students demonstrate knowledge of hearing aids and cochlear implants as options for persons who are deaf/hard of hearing.
9. Students demonstrate the ability to administer and interpret standardized tests in order to diagnose a language/learning disorder.
10. Students demonstrate knowledge of therapy goals and intervention strategies in speech language pathology.
11. Students demonstrate knowledge of etiologies and characteristics of various adult communication disorders.
12. Students demonstrate comprehension/application of the ASHA code of ethics.

Programs

• Speech-language Pathology, B.S.S.P.

• Speech-language Pathology Minor

Courses

• CDAU 3181-3 Clinical Practicum in Audiology
• CDAU 3203 Introduction to Clinical Audiology
• CDAU 4073 Auditory Rehabilitation
• CDAU 4353 Auditory Options for Children Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

• CDSP 1001 Orientation
• CDSP 1013 Introduction to Communication Disorders
• CDSP 2013 Essentials of Spoken English for the International Student
• CDSP 2023 Normal Language Development
• CDSP 2053 Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing
• CDSP 3033 Introduction to Language Disorders
• CDSP 3113 Speech Sound Disorders
• CDSP 3133 Introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication
• CDSP 3183 Clinical Methods
• CDSP 3203 Phonetics
• CDSP 3281 Clinical Practicum II: Speech-Language Pathology
• CDSP 4023 Professional and Multicultural Issues in Communication Disorders (Senior Seminar)
• CDSP 4033 Infants and Toddlers at Risk
• CDSP 4063 Speech and Hearing Science
• CDSP 4143 Acquired Communication Disorders
• CDSP 4163 Evaluation of Speech-Language Disorders
• CDSP 4991-3 Independent Study

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