Florida State University 2008-2009 General Bulletin Undergraduate Edition
Department of Communication Disorders
College of Communication
Chair: Juliann Woods; Professors: Apel, Bourgeois, Goldstein, La Pointe, Wetherby, Woods; Associate Professors: Lasker, Morris, Stierwalt; Assistant Professors: Horton-Ikard, Jackson, Scott, Thomas-Tate, Wood; Associate in Communication Disorders: Hudson, McClung; Assistants in Communication Disorders: Justl, Kahn, Nimmons, Snowden; Professors Emeriti: Haas, Schendel
The mission of the department of Communication Disorders is to prepare undergraduate and graduate students to demonstrate broad-based knowledge in communication processes and disorders and to integrate theoretical knowledge and research findings with clinical practicum experiences. The program prepares speech-language pathologists to provide effective diagnostic and treatment services to individuals with a wide variety of speech, language, and hearing impairments. It prepares clinical scientists to generate new knowledge pertaining to communication processes and innovative strategies for evaluating and managing communication disorders. The mission is operationalized through clinical and instructional programs, professional and clinical service, and clinical research. The department provides education for students seeking the Bachelor of Science (BS), Master of Science (MS), Advanced Master (AM), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.
Florida State University has approved American Sign Language as a substitute for a foreign language for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. The sequence of American Sign Language courses includes: Beginning ASL (SPA 1612C), Intermediate ASL (SPA 2613C), and Advanced ASL (SPA 2614C). ASL courses may not be taken for a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) or Pass/Fail (P/F) grade. Introduction to Signing Systems (SPA 2620) may not be used to fulfill the foreign language requirement.
Students with previous experience with ASL may wish to take a placement exam administered on an individual basis. Students interested in pursuing this option should contact the academic office at (850) 644-2253. Students will not earn University credits for exempt ASL coursework they need not complete. Consult with an academic adviser to determine if American Sign Language may fulfill this requirement for specific degree programs. The department does not offer a degree in education of the deaf nor in sign language interpretation.
Students enrolled in programs of the Department of Communication Disorders at Florida State University are provided unique experiences because of the learning environment. The department is a member of the College of Communication, which provides numerous collateral educational experiences. The L.L. Schendel Speech and Hearing Clinic provides the primary teaching and research laboratory for students and faculty and provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment services to persons in the community and region with communicative disorders. This 40-room facility is the central focus of learning and service activities. Videotape laboratories, diagnostic audiology instrumentation, sound isolation rooms, non-speech systems, and a complement of other clinical resources serve for clinical instruction.
The department also maintains a number of communication science laboratories for the study of physical and psychological aspects of sound, speech, voice, and language. These facilities provide space and highly specialized equipment to students and faculty, including laboratories for study in speech and voice science, emerging language and literacy, and adult language.
In addition, the department administers the Interdepartmental Certificate Program in Developmental Disabilities. The purpose of this program is to provide upper-division undergraduate students from a variety of disciplines with knowledge regarding etiology, assessment, treatment, and policy issues related to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Students seeking certification must complete nine (9) semester hours of course work from three different departments and three (3) semester hours of practicum from an approved list of courses and practica. No more than three (3) semester hours may be taken in the student's major area of study. More than forty courses are available in the following disciplines: art education; communication disorders; family and child sciences; middle and secondary education; music education/therapy; nursing; nutrition, food and exercise sciences; physical education; psychology; social work; special education; human services and studies; and curriculum and instruction.
Computer Skills Competency
All undergraduates at Florida State University must demonstrate basic computer skills competency prior to graduation. As necessary computer competency skills vary from discipline to discipline, each major determines the courses needed to satisfy this requirement. Undergraduate majors in communication disorders satisfy this requirement by earning a grade of "C–" or higher in CGS 2082.
Requirements for an Undergraduate Major in Communication Disorders
Students normally enter the program at the junior level and must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.8 for all course work, have successfully completed Florida State University's liberal studies requirements, and have passed or been exempted from the CLAST. Admission to Florida State University does not ensure admission to the Department of Communication Disorders, nor does attainment of the minimum grade point average. Formal application to the department is required of all entering majors. Non-FSU or transfer students also must apply to the University. Normally, admission is for the Fall semester. All materials necessary for admission applications must be submitted directly to the department by March 1st. Students are recommended to include MAC 1105 and STA 2122 in their pre-major course work.
Students admitted into the Department of Communication Disorders undergraduate program will be required to become proficient in one language other than English prior to graduation. Proficiency is defined as a letter grade of "C–" or better per course in a modern or classical foreign language through the intermediate level (a language course numbered 2220 or its equivalent) or a letter grade of "C–" or better in American Sign Language courses through the advanced level (SPA 2614C). Students may not take ASL courses for S/U or P/F grades. Native speakers of another language and other students who wish to demonstrate proficiency by means other than course work should consult the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics, or for American Sign Language, the Department of Communication Disorders.
Fulfilling the language requirement for the department will partially fulfill the University requirements for a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. To earn a BA degree, a student must complete the language requirement and take an additional nine (9) semester hours in the fields of humanities or history beyond the liberal studies requirements. Please consult the "Undergraduate Degree Requirements" section of this General Bulletin for more information. If the additional nine semester hours in humanities or history are not present on the student record at the point of graduation, the student could expect to earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree.
Please note that the department's classical or modern foreign language requirement is more extensive than the University's foreign language admission requirement. It is important to understand that, although completion of two years of high school foreign language courses or two semesters of post secondary foreign language will satisfy the University's admission requirement, these courses do not satisfy the Department of Communication Disorders foreign language graduation requirement for BA/BS students.
The curriculum leading to the baccalaureate degree combines liberal arts education with pre-professional preparation for the graduate program in the department or elsewhere. At the undergraduate level, students are provided experiences relating to the basic processes of hearing, language, and speech. The junior-year course offerings focus on the basic science and developmental foundations considered prerequisite for the specialty curricula initiated during the senior year. To qualify for graduation from the major, all undergraduates in communication disorders must earn a grade of "C–" or better for each required major course and must have an overall GPA of at least 2.0 in major course work.
Speech-language pathology courses cover the nature, evaluation, and treatment of problems of articulation, language, fluency, voice, neurophysiological, and structural disorders affecting speech and language. Audiology courses are concerned with the identification, measurement, evaluation, and rehabilitation of persons with hearing impairments. Studies in communication science concern analysis and measurement of components of the production, transmission, and reception of the speech signal.
Undergraduate students learn anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanisms; sound and its perception; the development of language and communication systems; the components of the English sound system; the neurological bases of speech, language, and hearing; sign language; strategies for clinical intervention; diagnostic/evaluation strategies in speech, language, and hearing; basic concepts related to disorders in language, phonology, and fluency; and professional issues in communication disorders.
The major professional, educational, and clinical experiences occur during graduate studies leading to the Master's degree. Eligibility for the certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and state licensure are not possible until the requirements for the Master's degree are met.
The Master's of speech-language pathology program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology and prepares students to work in hospital, clinical, school, or private settings with a variety of developmental and acquired communication disorders.
Requirements for a Minor in Communication Disorders
Requirements for an undergraduate minor in communication disorders are fourteen (14) semester hours in departmental courses, with a grade of "C–" or better in each course. At least six (6) of the fourteen (14) semester hours must be completed at Florida State University. No more than eight (8) hours of sign language may count toward the minor. Sign language courses used to satisfy the foreign language requirement cannot count toward the minor. Departmental approval must be obtained to register for certain courses in the minor. The minor application can be found at http://www.comm.fsu.edu/commdis or by contacting the department's Academic Program Assistant at 644-2253. This form must be completed and signed by a student's academic adviser before it is submitted to the department. Please note that a minor in the department does not qualify a student for professional certification or licensure.
Definition of Prefixes
ASL—American Sign Language
CGS—Computer General Studies
LIN—Linguistics
SPA—Speech Pathology and Audiology
Undergraduate Courses
ASL 1140C. Beginning American Sign Language (4). This course is designed to introduce students to the vocabulary, grammar, and non-verbal aspects of American Sign Language with an emphasis on basic dialogue skills.
ASL 2150C. Intermediate American Sign Language (4). Prerequisite: ASL 1140C. This course is designed to expand the students' comprehension and production of American Sign Language with a primary emphasis on dialogue. Focus is on increased vocabulary, conceptual accuracy, verb inflections, and ASL idioms.
ASL 2160C. Advanced American Sign Language (4). Prerequisite: ASL 2150C. This course is designed to produce a fluent sign language user with high-level encoding (production), decoding (reception), and pragmatic skills (cultural rules for conversation) when signing dialogues and narratives.
ASL 2400. Introduction to Sign Language Systems (2). This course provides an introduction to the deaf culture and to sign language as a communication system, and encoding and decoding skills of Signed English and finger spelling.
ASL 2510. Deaf Culture (3). This course acquaints students with the political, cultural, educational, and social parameters of Deaf Culture. International and United States perspectives are included.
CGS 2082. Computer Use in Communication Disorders (2). Introduction to computer use for students in communication disorders. Students develop competency in use of word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software and in merging and inserting material across file types. Students learn effective ways to use search engines for scholarly material, to evaluate material from the Web and to share files.
LIN 3200. Fundamentals of Phonetics (3). A study of the acoustical and physiological aspects of speech-sound production. An orientation to the international phonetic alphabet and its use for the broad transcription of General American English.
LIN 3200L. Fundamentals of Phonetics Laboratory (1). Prerequisite: Communication-disorders major status. Corequisite: LIN 3200. Laboratory for LIN 3200.
LIN 3710. Normal Communication Development (3). Presents an overview of the cognitive, social, and neurological bases of communication development. Delineates the stages of language development for pragmatics, semantics, and syntax. Highlights the language differences of nonstandard English dialects and bilingualism and introduces language disorders.
SPA 2001. Communication Sciences and Disorders (3). This introductory course provides an overview of human communication disorders with a focus on the neuroanatomic, acoustic, biological, psychological, developmental, and linguistic principles underlying human communication disorders. It also provides an overview of the field of speech-language pathology and audiology with an emphasis on the scientific aspects of clinical assessment and rehabilitation of clients. Intended for non-majors. May not be taken for S/U or P/F grade; must be taken for letter grade only.
SPA 2020. Effective Oral Communication (3). This course surveys and applies selected techniques for generating effective oral communication using standard American English. Course topics include listening and speaking skills, vocal health, interpersonal communication, public speaking, speaking apprehension, and dialect/accent differences. Speaking activities are designed to meet the student's professional goals.
SPA 3000. Introduction to Language Development and Communication Disorders (3). Normal language and speech development. Overview of major communication disorders and their causes and the nature of hearing disabilities. Nonmajors only.
SPA 3002. Introduction to Speech, Language, Hearing Disorders and Services (3). This introductory course provides an overview of speech, language, and hearing disorders and services across the life span. Students gain knowledge of service delivery models for assessment, intervention, and prevention of communication differences and disorders through reading, observation of clinical practice, and class participation in experiential learning activities.
SPA 3201. Phonological Development and Disorders (3). Prerequisite: LIN 3200C. Types of articulation problems and their etiologies; diagnostic techniques for articulation. A laboratory is required.
SPA 3801r. Applications of Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders (1–3). This course teaches basic research concepts and skills through practical experiences. Students apply research techniques while assisting with activities in various research settings, through simulations in the classroom, and through individual projects.
SPA 3949r. Cooperative Education Work Experience (0). (S/U grade only.)
SPA 4011C. Introduction to Communication Science (4). Basic acoustics and speech acoustics including frequency, intensity, duration, and wave composition and their psychological correlates, pitch, loudness, time, and sound quality. Lectures, demonstrations, and required laboratory project.
SPA 4050r. Clinical Observation and Practice (3). (S/U grade only.) Prerequisites: SPA 3201, SPA 4302, and SPA 4400. Supervised practice in therapeutic procedures with persons with various speech-language problems. May be repeated to a maximum of three (3) semester hours. Students may enroll in more than one section during the same semester.
SPA 4056. Clinical Methods (3). This course introduces students to clinical practice of speech-language pathology. Students become acquainted with the principles of assessment, application of diagnostic information, intervention planning, intervention strategies and techniques, service delivery options, and data collections. Students also gain an understanding of team membership and are introduced to the skills necessary for team building.
SPA 4101C. Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism (4). An introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the systems underlying speech production: respiration, phonation, articulation, and resonance. The anatomy and physiology of the ear are also introduced. Lecture and laboratory experiences.
SPA 4104. Neurological Bases of Communication (3). Prerequisite: SPA 4101C. Normal neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neuropathologies affecting communication. Prior anatomy and physiology of speech mechanisms needed.
SPA 4222. Introduction to Fluency Disorders (3). Nature and causes of stuttering disorders; theory and treatment.
SPA 4255. Developmental Communication Disorders (3). Course content places disorders in perspective, defines basic theories of causation, introduces identifying characteristics, and presents an overview of procedures for evaluation and treatment. Topics include cultural and linguistic diversity, evidence-based practice, and current trends in the discipline.
SPA 4257. Acquired Communication Disorders (3). This course introduces the principles involved with diagnosis and treatment of adults with communication disorders. Students in this course develop a fundamental knowledge of voice disorders, dysphagia, head and neck cancer, neurogenic communication disorders, motor speech disorders, language disorders, and cognitive-linguistic disorders.
SPA 4302. Introduction to Clinical Audiology (3). An introduction to disorders of hearing and the measurement of hearing loss by pure-tone, speech, and impedance audiometry.
SPA 4302L. Introduction to Clinical Audiology Laboratory (1). (S/U grade only.) Prerequisite or corequisite: SPA 4302. This course is the practical application of the techniques learned in SPA 4302.
SPA 4321. Aural (Re)habilitation I (3). Prerequisite: SPA 4302. Diagnostic-evaluation and (re)habilitation techniques.
SPA 4400. Children's Language Disorders (3). Prerequisite: LIN 3710. Introduction to etiologies, behavioral observations, tests, and basic management procedures of language impairment.
SPA 4411. Acquired Language Disorders (3). Prerequisites: LIN 3710 and SPA 4104. Provides the student with the etiological, diagnostic, prognostic, psychosocial, and clinical management aspects of aphasia, apraxia, and dementia; also includes communication problems of patients with right hemisphere damage.
SPA 4431. Nature of Autism and Severe Communication Disorders (3). The purpose of this course is to provide class participants with an overview of the characteristics and etiology of autism spectrum disorders and the knowledge needed to develop effective communication and language assessment and intervention strategies for individuals with autism and severe communication disabilities.
SPA 4556r. Practicum in Developmental Disabilities (3). This course is designed to provide a field experience for undergraduate students to gain an understanding of the services available to help people with developmental disabilities. May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.
SPA 4800. Research Evaluation (3). Elements of quantitative research; application of psychophysiological research methods to human communication problems.
SPA 4905r. Directed Individual Study (1–3). May be repeated to a maximum of eight (8) semester hours. Students may enroll in more than one section during the same semester.
SPA 4930r. Undergraduate Seminar in Communication Disorders (1–3). Prerequisite: Instructor permission. A seminar to provide undergraduate students with information on critical issues in the profession or information on innovative methodologies in the remediation of communication disorders. May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.
SPA 4970r. Honors Thesis in Communication Disorders (1–6). Prerequisites: Admission to honors program and admission to the department of communication disorders. Course is available to seniors who are majoring in communication disorders and who are interested in undertaking independent and original research under the direction of a faculty member whose area of expertise matches the student's interest. May be repeated to a maximum of nine (9) semester hours.
Graduate Courses
SPA 5055r. Professional Tools in Speech-Language Pathology (1–3).
SPA 5204. Phonological Disorders (3).
SPA 5211. Voice Disorders (3).
SPA 5225. Fluency Disorders (3).
SPA 5230. Motor Speech Disorders (3).
SPA 5252. Speech Production and Swallowing Disorders (3).
SPA 5254. Acquired Neurolinguistic and Cognitive Disorders (3).
SPA 5256. Developmental Speech Disorders (3).
SPA 5305Lr. Measurement and Management of Impaired Hearing (1–3).
SPA 5322. Advanced Aural (Re)habilitation (3).
SPA 5401. Communication Intervention: Infants and Preschoolers (3).
SPA 5403. Language-Learning Disabilities in School-Age Children (3).
SPA 5432. Autism and Severe Communicative Disabilities (3).
SPA 5436. Nature of Autism (3).
SPA 5460. Foundations of Developmental Communication Disorders (3).
SPA 5462. Developmental Communication Disorders: School-Age Issues (3).
SPA 5500. Clinical Practicum in the Schools (3).
SPA 5505r. Advanced Speech-Language Pathology Practicum (1–3).
SPA 5522. Medical Speech Pathology (3).
SPA 5526L. Laboratory in Child Speech-Language Diagnostics (1–3).
SPA 5528L. Laboratory in Adult Speech-Language Diagnostics (1–3).
SPA 5553. Seminar in Clinical Differential Diagnosis (1).
SPA 5554. Counseling in Speech-Language Pathology (3).
SPA 5554Lr. Supervision and Counseling in Communication Disorders (1).
SPA 5559. Augmentative Communication Systems (3).
SPA 5562. Advanced Seminar in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (1–3).
SPA 5564. Communication and Aging (3).
SPA 5565. Seminar in Dysphagia (3).
SPA 5646. Communication for Persons Deaf and Hard of Hearing (3).
SPA 5906r. Directed Individual Study (1–3). (S/U grade only.)
SPA 5910r. Supervised Research (1–5). (S/U grade only.)
SPA 5940r. Supervised Teaching (1–5). (S/U grade only.)
SPA 5944. Speech-Language Pathology Internship (1–12). (S/U grade only.)
SPA 6140. Seminar in Experimental Phonetics (1–3).
SPA 6231r. Seminar in Neuropathologies (1–3).
SPA 6434r. Seminar on Developmental Disabilities (1–3).
SPA 6804. University Academic and Clinical Teaching Colloquium (0–2). (S/U grade only.)
SPA 6805r. Seminar in Clinical Research Methods (3).
SPA 6825r. Seminar in Speech Pathology (1–3).
SPA 6841r. Seminar in Language (1–3).
SPA 6900r. Readings for the Preliminary Examination (1–6). (S/U grade only.)
SPA 6930r. Seminar in Special Topics (1–3).
For listings relating to graduate course work for thesis, dissertation, and master's and doctoral examinations and defense, consult the Graduate Bulletin.