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Curriculum
The Communication Science curriculum offers students an introduction to the main career paths in the fields of audiology and speech-language pathology, and a depth of speech, hearing and language production courses.
Students will explore:
- Linguistics and language development
- Anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing
- Speech and hearing science
- Communication and swallowing disorders
Core Courses Available to First-Year and Sophomore Students
- Open to all Pitt students:
- Introduction to Audiology – Offered fall term only
- Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology – Offered spring term only
- Open to sophomores and higher:
- Nature of Language – Offered fall term only
- Introduction to Professional and Clinical Issues in Communication Science and Disorders – Offered spring term only
Example Plan of Study
This example plan of study includes all the required coursework for the Communication Science program.
Year 1
Fall Term
If not already completed:
-
- Nature of Language
- Introduction to Audiology
- Core Courses
- Aural Rehabilitation
- Students must have completed Introduction to Audiology with a C- or better to enroll in this course.
- Anatomy and Physiology of Speech
- Lab in Anatomy and Physiology of Speech
- Introduction to Research
- Aural Rehabilitation
Spring Term
- If not already completed –
- Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology
- Introduction to Professional and Clinical Issues in Communication Science and Disorders
- Core Courses
- Language Development
- Speech Science
- Students must complete Anatomy and Physiology of Speech with a C- or better to enroll in this course.
- Lab in Speech Science
Year 2
Fall Term
- If not already completed:
- Aural Rehabilitation
- Students must have completed Introduction to Audiology with a C- or better to enroll in this course.
- Aural Rehabilitation
- Core Courses
- Anatomy and Physiology of Hearing
- Lab in Anatomy and Physiology of Hearing
- Transcription Phonetics
Spring Term
- Core Courses Spring Senior Year
- Hearing Science
- Students must complete Anatomy and Physiology of Hearing with a C- or better to enroll in this course.
- Lab in Hearing Science
- Clinical Methods in Communication Science and Disorders
- Writing Practicum for Clinical Methods in Communication Science and Disorders
- Intro to Neuroscience of Communication
- Hearing Science
- Optional Course
- Guided Clinical Observation
Related Area Minors, Certificates and Directed or Independent Studies
No additional related area is required for this undergraduate degree.
Many students are able to complete certificate programs or minors in addition to the major requirements in Communication Science. In recent years, students have attained certificates in Conceptual Foundations of Medicine, Latin American studies, American Sign Language and Children’s Literature. Minors included, education, neuroscience, linguistics, social work and sociology, among others. These are only a few of the many certificate programs and minors available at the University of Pittsburgh.
In some locations, employment as a speech-language pathologist within an educational setting requires additional courses for certification. Students considering work in educational settings should consider enrolling in education courses (i.e., IL 1257 – Teaching English Language Learners) as electives. Students can consult with the CSD Advising Office for more information.
Students should consult with Undergraduate Advisor Dave Bodnar (dab308@pitt.edu) or the Director of the Communication Science Program Professor Ali Lewandowski (ael89@pitt.edu) about the possibility of pursuing a directed or independent study with a member of the faculty, as a formal approval process is required. Opportunities are also available for students at all levels to volunteer in a research lab with a Communication Science and Disorders faculty member.
