Communication Sciences & Disorders (COMM)

COMM 800 - Graduate Independent Study

Credits: 1-4

Faculty supervised graduate independent studies. The graduate student engages in independent study under the direction of one of the Faculty members of the department.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 801 - Principles of Assessment

Credits: 2

Principles and practice for diagnosis of speech and language disorders; examination procedures and measurement techniques.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 802 - Principles of Intervention

Credits: 2

An introduction to the clinical process. Part I emphasizes the theory and practice of interventions. Part II addresses oral and written communication involved in the clinical process, the importance of clinical writing, and common reports/documents. CSD majors only.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 803 - Ethical and Professional Issues in Communication Sciences and Disorders I

Credits: 1

Introduction to ethical and professional issues that professionals will encounter in various work settings including regulatory, billing practices, service delivery models, and the role of advocacy for client services.

Equivalent(s): COMM 876

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 804 - Counseling Clients and Families with Communication Disorders

Credits: 2

This course focuses on counseling in the area of communication sciences and disorders. Specifically, the course will examine the application of therapeutic principles in clinical settings with people who have speech, language, and hearing communication difficulties. More specifically, this course is intended to provide the student with a broad overview of contemporary counseling approaches and issues that apply to specific clients and their family members. The course involves formal lectures and group discussion.

Equivalent(s): COMM 915

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 805 - Research Methods in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Credits: 3

This course introduces students to concepts, procedures, and application of research methods in communication sciences and disorders. The course covers group, single subject, experimental, quasi-experimental, correlational, and qualitative designs with an emphasis on clinical application. CSD majors only.

Equivalent(s): COMM 917

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 811 - Brain and Behavior

Credits: 3

This course is an overview to Neuroscience/Neurology as it applies to Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD). Neuroscience is a multidisciplinary field that combines biological, chemical and psychological perspectives to better understand neuron structure and function, thought, emotion, and behavior. It integrates research approaches of a variety of disciplines, ranging from cellular and molecular neurosciences to the psychology of cognition and perception. The focus will be limited to the brain and cognition and application to CSD.

Equivalent(s): COMM 891

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 812 - Dysphagia

Credits: 3

This course addresses swallowing problems occurring in the preparatory, oral, and pharyngeal stages of the swallow. Assessment and treatment are discussed.

Equivalent(s): COMM 901

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 821 - Speech Sound Disorders

Credits: 3

Course provides students with detailed knowledge of speech sound disorders in children and adults with communication disorders. Current practices are discussed in relation to the early identification, screening, differential diagnosis, and possible etiology of speech sound disorders. Evidence-based practices across the life-span are critically reviewed related to different speech sound disorders and how different remediation approaches are needed depending on the specific problem demonstrated by a client.

Equivalent(s): COMM 900

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 822 - Stuttering

Credits: 3

This course provides students with an in-depth knowledge of stuttering from theoretical and clinical perspectives. Emphasis is placed on clinical decision making. Current practices are discussed that cover diagnosis of stuttering, differentiating it from "normal" dysfluencies, etiological considerations, and treatment options. Emphasis is placed on a psycho-social approach to intervention. Evidence based practices in stuttering are covered as well as issues associated with diverse populations.

Equivalent(s): COMM 902

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 823 - Voice Disorders

Credits: 3

Study of vocal habilitation and rehabilitaion. Focus will be on the use of voice and its modification in health and disease. Included in the course will be specific assessment and treatment approaches for clients who want to modify their vocal behavior including professional voice users, people with voice disorders, and transgender voice and communication change.

Equivalent(s): COMM 906

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 824 - Motor Speech Disorders

Credits: 3

Diagnosis and treatment of motor speech disorders in children and adults including dysarthria and apraxia of speech. Focus in the class will be on understanding perceptual and acoustic measures of speech, differential diagnosis and evidence based practice.

Equivalent(s): COMM 905

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 831 - Early Childhood Language Disorders

Credits: 3

Examination of interrelationships between early language, social, and cognitive development, with emphasis on collaborative inter-professional models of assessment and intervention. Reviews implications for special populations (e.g., intellectual and developmental delay/disorder, autism spectrum disorder, sensory impairment, and English language learners).

Equivalent(s): COMM 912

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 832 - School-Age & Adolescent Language Disorders

Credits: 3

This course addresses language acquisition in school-age children, adolescents, and young adults, and provides an overview of current language assessment and intervention issues. Topics include neurotypical development relative to developmental language delays and disorders, in the context of empirical research, clinical decision-making, and professional issues. Current evidence-based practices related to assessment and intervention are critically reviewed. Designed for future speech-language pathologists but may be relevant to others with an interest in language development and disorders.

Equivalent(s): COMM 875

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 833 - Aphasia in Adults

Credits: 3

Principles concerning etiologies, evaluation, classification, and methods of clinical management including the team approach to rehabilitation of aphasia in adults.

Equivalent(s): COMM 904

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 841 - Cognitive Communication Disorders

Credits: 2

This course addresses the nature of cognitive-communicative impairments in children and adults with acquired brain injury and links theory and practice to community reintegration.

Prerequisite(s): KIN 706 with a minimum grade of D- and KIN 707 with a minimum grade of D-.

Equivalent(s): COMM 913

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 842 - Autism Spectrum Disorders

Credits: 2

Provides an overview of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) including perspectives of individuals and their families. Current practices are discussed in relation to early identification, screening, diagnosis, and possible etiology of ASD, including and overview of medical considerations. Evidence-based practices across the life-span are critically reviewed in areas of behavior, communication, play, social interactions, and sensory-motor. Teaming approaches and transition to adult life to support a high quality of life are presented. Current "hot topics" in ASD research are presented.

Equivalent(s): COMM 916

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 843 - Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Credits: 3

An overview of how augmentative and alternative communication systems can be used to foster the participation, interaction, and inclusion of children and adults for whom speech is not a primary mode of communication. Students are exposed to a broad variety of assessment and intervention techniques, some of which involve the use of assistive technology.

Equivalent(s): COMM 914

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 844 - Seminar in Advanced Child Language Acquisition

Credits: 2

Young infants and children are in a process of continual learning. This course takes an advanced and interactive approach to understanding child language acquisition, exploring specific aspects of early language development as well as the interaction of different developmental processes. We will delve deeper into how language acquisition interacts with cognitive development, prosodic development and assessment, multilingual and multicultural populations, and populations that are developing along a different path.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

View Course Learning Outcomes

COMM 870 - Clinical Practicum

Credits: 1-3

On-campus practicum provides graduate students with the opportunity to apply advanced theoretical knowledge in clinical setting with clients demonstrating speech, language, hearing, and/or swallowing disorders. Students acquire therapy and diagnostic experience under supervision. A minimum of 3 credits is required for the M.S. degree.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 3 credits.

Equivalent(s): COMM 910

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 872 - Externship

Credits: 1-4

Application of advanced theoretical knowledge through clinical work in an off-campus clinical setting. A total of 8 credits in COMM 870 required prior to taking this course.

Prerequisite(s): COMM 870 with a minimum grade of B.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits.

Equivalent(s): COMM 911

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 895 - Special Topics

Credits: 1-3

Advanced study in specific areas; involves an independent project.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credits. May be repeated up to 2 times.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 899 - Master's Thesis

Credits: 1-6

Master's Thesis.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.

Grade Mode: Graduate Credit/Fail grading

COMM 995A - Independent Study

Credits: 1-4

Individual or group projects involving faculty-directed study of an area of communication sciences and disorders that students wish to explore in greater depth than is covered in the required curriculum.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

COMM 995B - Independent Study: Bilingual Speech-Language Pathology

Credits: 1-4

Individual or group projects involving faculty-directed study of bilingual speech-language pathology for students who wish to explore the topic in greater depth than is covered in the required curriculum.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading