Fact Sheet 07: Communicative Disorders

Revised August 2007

Communicative Disorders

The department's goal is to provide you, as a student, with a firm theoretical foundation in the processes of normal communication, an understanding of the disorders that frequently impair normal communication, the theoretical information concerning the evaluation and remediation of communicative disorders, and an opportunity to implement theory in closely supervised clinical practice.

Furthermore, the department strives to develop you as a professional who is broadly educated and who possesses the ability to think analytically, critically, and in a manner that allows you to excel at problem solving. We also seek to promote your development as a competent provider of clinical services.

We hope to instill in you an appreciation for life-long learning and personal development along with a positive sense of self-worth. As a result, you should acquire a respect for the quality of life, individual and cultural differences, and ethical behavior.

Career Opportunities

In keeping with the objectives and standards of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), graduates of the bachelor of arts program who do not immediately pursue advanced studies are qualified for employment in related health fields. To be employed as a speech-language pathologist, you must have a master's degree or doctorate.

Completion of the B.A. degree program prepares you to pursue graduate study that will fulfill the requirements for a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from ASHA or graduate study in a related science or communication field. The majority of our master's degree students are offered professional positions before they graduate.

Graduates have been accepted for admission to advanced degree programs at the following colleges and universities:

Boston University
Columbia University
James Madison University
Pennsylvania State University
Temple University
University of Colorado
University of Iowa
University of Wisconsin

Undergraduate Degree

Bachelor of Arts in Communicative Disorders. This preprofessional degree program provides you with a basic knowledge of human communication and communication disorders in preparation for graduate study in audiology, speech-language pathology, speech and hearing science, or related health science or communication fields.

Special Study Opportunities

The Department of Communicative Disorders is an active participant in the National Student Exchange Program.

Typical Courses

Anatomy of Speech and Hearing Mechanisms
Articulation and Phonological Disorders
Fluency and Voice Disorders
Hearing Disorders
Language Disorders
Speech and Hearing Science
Speech and Language Development

Facilities

The facility in which the Department of Communicative Disorders is housed contains departmental offices, a reading room, a distance learning classroom, computer/speech science laboratory, and the West Chester University Speech and Hearing Clinic. The clinic comprises therapy rooms with observation capability, clinician work areas, an audiological test suite, and a client conference room.

The department operates the Speech and Hearing Clinic as a teaching and training facility. The clinic provides diagnostic and therapeutic services for children and adults with speech and hearing problems. Clinical services are available to individuals from the University and from the surrounding community.

Special Entrance Requirements

It is recommended that you, as an applicant to this program, meet the following requirements, in addition to those general requirements for University admission:

Class rank in the 70th percentile or above
Strong Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores
Completion of two years of algebra, biology, and a second science such as chemistry or physics

Related Student Activities

National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA)

Advanced Degree

Master of Arts in Communicative Disorders

Faculty

A complete listing of faculty and their academic qualifications for this program can be obtained from the contact person listed below.

For More Information

Professor Michael Weiss, Chairperson
Speech and Hearing Clinic
201 Carter Drive
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-3401