Undergraduate

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Explore multiple aspects of communication development—from speech and language processes to hearing and cognitive science.

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Location

Durham, NH

Courses

21*

Credit

128 hrs.*

Full-time

4 yrs.

Part-time

varies

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Communication Sciences & Disorders

The Communication Sciences and Disorders degree at UNH offers comprehensive training in understanding and treating human communication challenges. Here you'll be able to explore multiple aspects of communication development—from speech and language processes to hearing and cognitive science.

With a focus on hands-on clinical observations, research opportunities, and foundational coursework, our program prepares you for graduate studies in audiology, speech-language pathology, or related fields. Through intensive study and practical experience, you'll develop the essential skills needed to help individuals of all ages overcome communication challenges and improve their quality of life.

*Number of courses and course credit hours may vary, please reach out to your academic advisor for exact requirements.

Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders

Key Links

Tuition Costs

Contact Cards

Kathryn Greenslade

Associate Professor

Kathryn.Greenslade@unh.edu

Hewitt Hall, Durham, NH 03824

(603) 862-3287

WHAT IS COMMUNICATION SCIENCES AND DISORDERS?

A major in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) offers a rigorous foundation in the scientific study of human communication. Students explore how speech, language, hearing, and cognition develop and function across the lifespan. Courses explore topics that include language, the roles of the brain, and the speech and hearing mechanisms. The curriculum emphasizes the theoretical and research-based understanding of typical and disordered communication across the lifespan. This pre-professional degree prepares students for advanced study in fields such as cognitive science, audiology, or speech-language pathology.

WHY STUDY COMMUNICATION SCIENCES AND DISORDERS AT UNH?

As a student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) program at UNH, you will learn about speech, language, and hearing through engagement in coursework, clinical observation and research. Approximately 60 students per year are accepted into the program and this class size allows students to develop close connections with their peers and the faculty. Faculty have diverse professional and academic backgrounds and specialized expertise. They are committed to providing a supportive learning environment. Students are encouraged to fully engage in the university community and to take advantage of the organizations, study abroad programs, athletics, and other opportunities available to them.

POTENTIAL CAREERS

Speech-language pathology
Audiology
Research
Cognitive science

Curriculum & Requirements

Program Description

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. In this program, students study human communication, including how it develops and how it interacts with social and cognitive systems. Students learn about speech, language, and hearing through a unique model of education, observation, and research. This pre-professional degree will prepare you to successfully enter clinical or research graduate programs in areas such as cognitive science, audiology, and speech-language pathology.

Degree Plan

Sample Degree Plan

This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credits
COMM 420	Survey of Communication Disorders	4
PSYC 401	Introduction to Psychology	4
BMS 507	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	4
LING 405	Introduction to Linguistics	4
	Credits	16
Spring
MATH 420	Finite Mathematics	4
PHYS 409 or CHEM 411	Investigating Physics or Introductory Chemistry for Life Sciences	4
	Credits	8
Second Year
Fall
COMM 521	Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanisms	4
COMM 524	Clinical Phonetics	4
PSYC 402	Statistics in Psychology	4
	Credits	12
Spring
COMM 636	Speech and Hearing Science	4
COMM 522	Language Acquisition	4
PSYC 581	Child Development	4
	Credits	12
Third Year
Fall
COMM 504	Basic Audiology	4
KIN 706 & KIN 707	Neurology and Neurology Lab	6
COMM 798	Special Topics	4
	Credits	14
Spring
COMM 707	Language Science	4
	Credits	4
Fourth Year
Fall
COMM 741	Pediatric Speech and Language Disorders: Foundations in Clinical Decision-Making	4
COMM 723	Observation Skills in Speech-Language Pathology	2
COMM 724 or COMM 799	Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis	4
	Credits	10
Spring
COMM 742	Neurological Foundations of Communication Disorders Across the Lifespan	4
COMM 705	Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation	4
	Credits	8
	Total Credits	84

Requirements for the Program

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits

Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH

Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*

Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements

Foreign Language Requirement: No

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

Candidates for a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders must satisfy all departmental as well as UNH Discovery and Writing Intensive requirements.

Students must earn a grade of C- or better in all COMM courses.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
PSYC 401	Introduction to Psychology	4
PSYC 402	Statistics in Psychology	4
LING 405	Introduction to Linguistics	4
PHYS 409	Investigating Physics	4
or CHEM 411	Introductory Chemistry for Life Sciences
COMM 420	Survey of Communication Disorders	4
MATH 420	Finite Mathematics	4
COMM 504	Basic Audiology	4
BMS 507	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	4
COMM 521	Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanisms	4
COMM 522	Language Acquisition	4
COMM 524	Clinical Phonetics	4
PSYC 581	Child Development	4
COMM 636	Speech and Hearing Science	4
COMM 705	Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation	4
KIN 706 & KIN 707	Neurology and Neurology Lab	6
COMM 707	Language Science	4
COMM 723	Observation Skills in Speech-Language Pathology (satisfies 25 Observation Hours)	2
COMM 741	Pediatric Speech and Language Disorders: Foundations in Clinical Decision-Making	4
COMM 742	Neurological Foundations of Communication Disorders Across the Lifespan	4
Required Breadth Course
Select one course from the following:		3-4
ASL 435	American Sign Language I
COMM 744	Seminar in Advanced Child Language Acquisition
COMM 798	Special Topics
Capstone
COMM 724	Senior Capstone	4
or COMM 799	Honors Thesis
Total Credits		83-84

Student Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing required COMM courses will have an understanding of the theories underlying speech, language, and hearing disorders.
All CSD students will have a capstone experience which integrates their cumulative learning.
Students will be introduced to evidence-based practice (EBP) as it relates to the professions of speech language pathology and audiology.
The Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) undergraduate curriculum aligns with the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) standards. Students completing required COMM courses will have the foundational knowledge to meet ASHA standards.
Students completing required COMM courses will have the academic preparation to apply to either SLP or Audiology graduate programs.

Explore Program Details

Incoming Freshman

The UNH Office of Admissions reviews applications of all incoming Freshmen who wish to major in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Students are admitted to the program based on their academic records.

The Office of Admissions website contains complete campus visit information and online visitor registration. It also contains admission criteria and important dates, as well as an online application.

Office of Admissions

Transfer Students

CSD welcomes internal transfer applicants. Prior to submitting an application, students are encouraged to review the major requirements and the CSD suggested course schedule. If accepted, every effort will be made to help transfer students stay on track for their intended graduation date, but this is not guaranteed.

Guidelines:
1. A GPA of 3.0 or higher.
2. Students with a Cumulative GPA below 3.0 are welcome to apply, but must meet an additional requirement of a final grade of B or above in COMM 420 prior to an acceptance decision.
3. Each application is reviewed on an individual basis. Exceptions to the guidelines may occur at the discretion of the Undergraduate Committee.
4. Applications may be submitted any time during the academic year.

Advanced Degree Programs

Students interested in our Communication Sciences and Disorders Major major may also be interested in these advanced degree offerings: