Academics > Majors and Areas of Study > Communication Sciences and Disorders



Dr. Nancy Antonino, Adviser and Program Coordinator

The Communication Sciences and Disorders major is an interdisciplinary curriculum which prepares students to compete for admission to graduate study and prepare for a career in the profession. Clinical practicum at area hospitals, schools, clinics, and extended care facilities plus intership opportunities at St. Paul Homes (www.stpaulhomes.org) and Children's Center of Mercer County (www.ccmcweb.com) enable students to apply theory to practice. The broad background provided by this major is an important first step in preparing students to provide quality care for the adults and children with whom they will work.

The Communication Sciences and Disorders faculty members not only present their curricula but also share a wealth of experiences through their professional affiliations: AAA (American Academy of Audiology), ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association), UPMC (UPMC Pittsburgh & Greenville), and NAFDA (National Association of Future Doctors of Audiology).

The Communication Sciences and Disorders major has the following objectives: to provide a pre-professional interdisciplinary curriculum; to prepare students for graduate study leading to certification; to introduce students to diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders in adults and children through course work and clinical practicum experiences; and to acquaint students with the characteristics, roles, and responsibilities of professionals in this challenging field.

Students majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders have an opportunity to participate in their future profession's governing organization. The Thiel College chapter of NSSHLA is among the chapters in approximately 300 colleges and universities, with a membership of approximately 11,000. Founded in 1972 the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) is the national organization for graduate and under graduate students interested in normal and disordered human communication. NSSHLA is the only official national student association recognized by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). The Thiel chapter is actively involved in increasing student and community awareness of communication disorders.

A student who graduates from Thiel with a major in CSD will:
• comprehend the biological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, linguistic, and cultural correlates of basic human communication processes and disorders including speech; receptive and expressive language in oral, written and manual modalities; hearing; swallowing; cognitive aspects of communication; and social
aspects of communication.
• know some of the rehabilitation strategies used to maximize functional communication as a member of a health care team.
• know basic medical terminology commonly used for clinical descriptions and documentation.
• understand the impact of communication disorders across the lifespan.
• demonstrate proficiency in the transcription of the Internal Phonetic Alphabet.
• possess a conversational level in sign language and finger spelling.
• demonstrate familiarity with data concerning prevention, assessment and intervention over the range of communication disorders specified in the current ASHA Scope of Practice for audiology and speech-language pathology.
• demonstrate an understanding of issues currently shaping audiology and speech-language as a profession.
• be prepared for admission into a graduate program in communication disorders.

Communication Sciences and Disorders with two pre-professional tracks: BA and BS
A major in CSD may be satisfied by completing the B.A. or B.S. requirements. The broad background provided by this major is an important first step in preparing students for successful entry into graduate school. Students interested in speech and language disorders may find the Bachelor of Arts requirements as a suitable first step in pursuing their professional goals as speech-language pathologists. Students interested in speech/ hearing sciences, hearing, balance disorders, phonology and research may find the Thiel College Bachelor of Science a suitable first step in pursuing their professional goals as audiologists.