Mar 28, 2024  
Undergraduate Record 2016-2017 
    
Undergraduate Record 2016-2017 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Speech Communication Disorders


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Program Description


The undergraduate major in Speech Communication Disorders at the University of Virginia (a) introduces students to the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology and (b) provides pre-professional learning experiences to prepare students for graduate studies in either profession by emphasizing math, biological and behavioral sciences, basic human communication sciences, and critical thinking. Students enter into this major as an internal transfer (transferring from another school within UVA) or external transfer (transferring from another school outside UVA) in the third year. No specific pre-requisite courses are required for transfer into this major.

The undergraduate curriculum prepares students to choose from three career paths at the graduate level: (1) audiology, (2) speech-language pathology, or (3) speech and hearing science. Completion of an accredited graduate program is required for American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certification, state licensure and professional practice in audiology or speech-language pathology.  Graduates with an undergraduate major in Speech Communication Disorders also go on to careers in other fields requiring good analytical and communication skills as well as a solid grounding in behavior science.

The Speech Communication Disorders major leads to a Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.). Students are expected to meet all general education requirements in their first two years, so they can concentrate on Speech Communication Disorders core courses in years three and four. There is no practicum requirement for this major.

Residence Requirement: A recipient of a B.S.Ed. degree from the Curry School must have completed at least four semesters of full-time (12 credits) study at the University of Virginia while enrolled in the Curry School of Education. Exceptions for emergency situations may only be granted with the advisor’s and dean’s permission. In addition, all students must be full-time (12 credits minimum) during all semesters, except the final one (9 credits minimum). 

The major includes at least 29 credits of approved coursework covering the nature of various communication disorders, and an introduction to the prevention, evaluation, and treatment of speech, language, hearing, and swallowing disorders. The coursework addresses normal and disordered human development and behavior across the life span and throughout culturally/linguistically diverse populations.

Though there are a number of required courses, students also have opportunities to shape coursework according to career goals, including adding a second major or a minor inside or outside of the Curry School. A faculty member from Speech Communication Disorders will serve as the academic advisor, assisting students with the selection of classes.

B.S.Ed. Speech Communication Disorders Curriculum (120 credits)


Core SCD Coursework (29 credits)


Proposed SCD Major Course Outline


First Year and Second Year: Semesters 1-4 (60+ credits)


  • First Writing Requirement1 Credits: 3
  • Second Writing2 Credits: 3
  • General education requirements in Humanities3 Credits: 12
  • General education requirements in Social Science4 Credits: 9
  • General education requirements in Natural science and Mathematics5 Credits: 15 credits
  • Cultural literacy6 Credits: 3
  • Physical Activity Credits: 3

Third Year: Semesters 5 & 6 (30+ credits)


Fourth Year: Semesters 7 & 8 (30+ credits)



Footnotes:

[1] First Writing requirements can be satisfied by: ENWR 1510, 1507/1508, (or equivalent). Exemptions from the requirement include A) Score of 720 or higher on the Writing Portion of the SAT or B) Score of a 5 on the English Advanced Placement Test.
[2] Second writing requirements may be satisfied by: earning a grade of C- or better in a class that: a) Assigns at least two writing assignments in English totaling 4,000 words (20 pages) or more independent of quizzes and final examinations; b) Is taught by a faculty member who provides extensive feedback on a student’s writing; c) Is taken at the University. Advanced placement credit, advanced standing, dual enrollment credit or credit transferred from another university will not satisfy this requirement. (Courses meeting this requirement can be found using the drop down menu on SIS in the Course Search).
[3] Humanities Requirements must include 3 credits in English Literature. Other 9 credits can be satisfied by: Literature, Fine Arts, or Philosophical, Foreign Language and Religious Perspectives.
[4] Social Science Requirements must include at least one course taken in both Psychology and Sociology Others may include History, Anthropology, Economics, Politics, African American Studies, Linguistics and Studies in Women and Gender.
[5] Natural Science/Mathematics requirements may be satisfied by: Required Math (MATH 1110 or higher);  Required Statistics (EDLF 5380); Required Physical Science; Required Biology Others may include:  Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, and Astronomy.
[6] Cultural Literacy requirements may be satisfied by: Courses in diversity in education, global studies or study abroad experiences. Any course that the College of Arts and Sciences has identified as a “Non-Western Perspective” course may satisfy this requirement. Curry has approved EDLF 3500 for this requirement.

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