West Virginia University
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Program Objectives
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is committed to the preparation of students interested in graduate study and eventual
careers in speech-language pathology or audiology. The pre-professional undergraduate program emphasizes education in the following: GEC; basic
speech and hearing sciences; anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing systems; normal development and behavior in speech, swallowing,
hearing, and language; awareness of cultural diversity and its relationship to communication; and an introduction to communicative disorders.
Career Prospects
The professions of speech-language pathology and audiology are exciting fields wherein professionals provide services to individuals with
communication disorders. The demand for certified practitioners is continually increasing; consequently, job prospects remain very good. The preprofessional undergraduate program and graduate study in either speech-language pathology or audiology enable graduates to seek employment in
a variety of settings and work with individuals of all ages. They may also pursue academic and research careers in the discipline of communication
sciences and disorders.
FACULTY
CHAIR
• Robert F. Orlikoff - Ph.D. (Columbia University)
PROFESSORS
• Carolyn P. Atkins - Ed.D. (WVU)
Speech-language pathology, Speech improvement, Public speaking, Effective communication
• Mary Ellen Tekieli Koay - Ph.D. (University of Oklahoma)
Speech-language pathology, Neurophysiology, Neuropathologies, Clinical supervision
• Norman J. Lass - Ph.D. (Purdue University)
Speech and hearing science, Speech perception, Speech acoustics, Experimental phonetics
• Robert F. Orlikoff - Ph.D. (Columbia University)
Speech-language pathology Speech and voice physiology, Voice disorders, Evidence-based practice
• Vishakha W. Rawool - Ph.D. (Purdue University)
Audiology, Auditory electrophysiology, Otoacoustic emissions, Acoustical reflex, Aging, Pediatrics, Clinical supervision
• Dennis M. Ruscello - Ph.D. (University of Arizona)
Speech-language pathology, Language, Articulation, Cleft Palate-Craniofacial disorders, Clinical supervision
• Kenneth O. St. Louis - Ph.D. (University of Minnesota)
Speech-language pathology, Fluency, Voice, Clinical supervision
ASSISTANT PROFESSORS
• Jeremy J. Donai - Ph.D. (Texas Tech University)
Audiology, Psychoacoustics, Amplification, Hearing aids
• Michelle W. Moore - Ph.D. (University of Pittsburgh)
Speech-language pathology, Child language disorders, Literacy, Phonological disorders
CLINICAL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
• Karen Barr Haines - M.S. (WVU)
Speech-language pathology, Augmentative communication, Clinical supervision
TEACHING ASSISTANT PROFESSORS
• Ashleigh J. Callahan - Ph.D. (James Madison University)
Audiology, Vestibular evaluation/rehabilitation, Hearing conservation
• Gayle B. Neldon - Ed.D. (WVU)
Audiology, Amplification, Clinical supervision, Program coordinator
CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR
• Leslie C. Graebe - M.S. (WVU)
Speech-language pathology, Clinical practice, Clinical supervision
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Communication Sciences and Disorders
TEACHING INSTRUCTOR
• Janet J. Petitte - M.S. (WVU)
Audiology, Hearing aids, Clinical supervision
PROFESSOR EMERITUS
• Charles M. Woodford - Ph.D.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR EMERITUS
• Conrad Lundeen - Ph.D.
ASSISTANT PROFESSORS EMERITAE
• Lynn R. Cartwright - Ed.D.
• Cheryl L. Prichard - Ed.D.
Pre-Speech Pathology and Audiology
ADMISSION
Normally, students are first admitted to the pre-SPA program of study and matriculate as such during the freshman and sophomore years. Pre-SPA
students are assigned an advisor in the College of Education and Human Services Center for Student Advising and Records in 710 Allen Hall. To qualify
for admission, incoming freshmen must present an overall high school GPA of 3.0 or higher, 1050 or higher on the SAT, or 23 on the ACT.
Students who transfer into pre-SPA during the freshman or sophomore year from either another major at WVU or from another university must present a
grade point average of 3.0 for all undergraduate coursework taken prior to the time of transfer.
REQUIREMENTS
Students are considered pre-SPA until they have met the requirements specified below and have applied and been accepted into the SPA degree
program.
1. Completion of at least fifty-eight academic hours, including a grade of C or better in each of the following:
English 101 and 102 (or equivalent English 103), Statistics 211 (or Economics 225), Linguistics 101, a physical science course (preferably physics
or chemistry), a biological science course (preferably Biology 101), Psychology 101, Mathematics 126 (or higher), a course fulfilling GEC Objective
3, and a foreign language (101 and 102, or equivalent)
2. Completion of SPA 200 and SPA 270 with a minimum grade of B [and, for Freshmen declaring Pre-SPA at the beginning of college study,
completion of SPA 199]
3. A minimum of 80% on the SPA Qualifying Examination
4. An overall GPA of at least 3.0.
These requirements are subject to change. Interested students should contact the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders for
information on current requirements.
B.S. Degree Program in Speech Pathology and Audiology
ADMISSION
After completing all pre-SPA requirements listed above, a student must apply for admission to the degree program by completing an application form
obtained from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders in 805 Allen Hall. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain an application form
and submit it to the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders between the deadline dates of February 15 and March 1. No applications
will be accepted after March 1. After the application has been reviewed and verified, the student will receive a letter summarizing the department’s
admission decision. Students will be ranked according to their overall GPA for all undergraduate coursework. The forty-five students with the highest
GPA will be admitted to the B.S. degree program at the beginning of the junior year. Students who are not admitted must declare another major
immediately and officially transfer to that department.
Following admission to the degree program, the student must continue to meet GPA standards set by the department in order to continue in the program
and graduate with a degree in speech pathology and audiology.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
A total of 128 academic credit hours, including all SPA requirements, is required for the bachelor of science in speech pathology and audiology. The
following are specific requirements:
West Virginia University
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1. Successful completion of the General Education Curriculum (GEC) including all pre-SPA required courses;
2. Successful completion of seventeen hours of supporting area courses relating to natural sciences, normal/abnormal growth and development, and
related issues;
3. Successful completion of a minimum of fifty-six hours of academic coursework in SPA;.
4. Successful completion of minimum requirements in clinical practicum; and
5. Maintenance of an overall GPA of at least 3.0 and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for all courses taked toward the SPA major.
SENIOR CAPSTONE
All students in the B.S. in speech pathology and audiology program must complete a capstone experience before graduation. SPA majors select and
research a topic of personal interest within the discipline and, in addition to developing a capstone paper, present evidence of their scholarship in both
oral and poster form.
GENERAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM
Please use this link to view a list of courses that meet each GEC requirement. (http://registrar.wvu.edu/current_students/
general_education_curriculum)
NOTE: Some major requirements will fulfill specific GEC requirements. Please see the curriculum requirements listed below for details on which GECs
you will need to select.
General Education Curriculum
ENGL 101
& ENGL 102
Composition And Rhetoric
and Composition And Rhetoric
or ENGL 103
Accelerated Academic Writing
3-6
GEC 2A - Mathematics
3-4
GEC 2B - Natural and Physical Science
7-8
GEC 2C - Additional GEC 2A, B or C
3
GEC 3 - The Past and Its Traditions
3
GEC 4 - Issues of Contemporary Society
3
GEC 5 - Artistic Expression
3
GEC 6 - The Individual in Society
3
GEC 6F - First Year Seminar
1-3
GEC 7 - American Culture
3
GEC 8 - Western Culture
3
GEC 9 - Non-Western Culture
3
Total Hours
38-45
Major in Speech Pathology & Audiology Requirements
A minimum GPA of 2.75 is required in all courses
SPA 199
Orientation-Speech Path/Audiol
1
SPA 200
Intro - Communication Disorder (with grade of B or better)
3
SPA 270
Effective Public Speaking (with a grade of B or better)
3
SPA 274
Manual Communication
3
SPA 276
Intermed Manual Communication
3
SPA 320
Speech Science
4
SPA 322
Phonetics
3
SPA 324
Language Acquisition
3
SPA 326
Articulation and Cleft Palate
3
SPA 340
Hearing Science
4
SPA 342
Hearing Screening Programs
3
SPA 390
Clinical Observation/SLP
1
SPA 391
Clinical Observation/Audiology
1
SPA 422
Voice And Stuttering
3
SPA 424
Language Disorders
3
SPA 440
Audiological Assessment
3
SPA 442
Aural Rehabilitation
3
4
Communication Sciences and Disorders
SPA 460
Professional Writing/Speaking
3
SPA 482
Clinical Practice/SLP
3
SPA 483
Clinical Practice/Audiology
3
SPA 485
Clinical Study & Application
1
GEC Objectives (3, 5, 7, 8, and 9)
15
Electives
11
Foreign Language
6
ENGL 101
Composition And Rhetoric
3
ENGL 102
Composition And Rhetoric
3
Choose one from the following (GEC Objective 2A):
3
MATH 126@
MATH 129
Pre-Calculus Mathematics
Choose one from the following (GEC Objective 2A):
STAT 211
Elemntry Statistical Inference
ECON 225
Elemntry Busness/Economcs Stat
3
CS 101
Intro-Computer Applications
4
PSYC 101
Introduction to Psychology
3
LING 101
Introduction To Language
3
Physical Science Requirement
Choose one from the following (GEC Objective 2B):
BIOL 101
& BIOL 102
& BIOL 103
& BIOL 104
General Biology
and General Biology
and General Biology Laboratory
and General Biology Laboratory
BIOL 115
Principles of Biology
Choose one from the following (GEC Objective 2B):
CHEM 111
Survey of Chemistry
CHEM 112
Survey of Chemistry
CHEM 115
Fundamentals of Chemistry
CHEM 116
Fundamentals of Chemistry
CHEM 117
Principles of Chemistry
CHEM 118
Principles of Chemistry
PHYS 101
Introductory Physics
PHYS 102
Introductory Physics
PHYS 105
Conceptual Physics
PHYS 107
Physics Of Music
PHYS 108
Light Vision And Color
PHYS 111
General Physics
PHYS 112
General Physics
GEOG 106
Physical Geography Laboratory
GEOG 107
Physical Geography
GEOG 110
Environmental Geoscience
GEOG 111
Environmental Geoscience Lab
GEOG 150
Digital Earth
GEOL 101
Planet Earth
GEOL 102
Planet Earth Laboratory
ASTR 106
Descriptive Astronomy
4
4
Normal Human Development
Choose one from the following:
3
CDFS 110
Families Across the Life Span
CDFS 211
Infant Development
CDFS 212
Early Childhood Development
CDFS 316
Child Development Practicum
West Virginia University
CDFS 412
Adolescent Development
CDFS 413
Contmpry Issues-Family Relatns
CDFS 415
Family Interaction/Communicatn
PSYC 241
Intro to Human Development
PSYC 343
Child/Adolescent Development
PSYC 345
Adulthood and Aging
5
Abnormal Human Development
Choose two from the following:
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CHPR 170
Health of the Individual
COMM 308
Nonverbal Communication
COMM 408
Adv Study in Nonverbal Comm
COMM 317
Communication And Aging
DISB 380
Disability and the Family
DISB 385
Disability and Society
PHIL 331
Health Care Ethics
PSYC 202
Research Methods in Psychology
PSYC 232
Sex Roles and Behavior
PSYC 251
Intro to Social Psychology
PSYC 281
Intro to Abnormal Psychology
PSYC 302
Behavior Principles
PSYC 351
Topics in Social Psychology
PSYC 364
Psychology of Adjustment
PSYC 382
Exceptional Children
PSYC 423
Cognition and Memory
PSYC 424
Learning and Behavior Theory
PSYC 425
Perception
PSYC 474
Behavior Modification
RDNG 421
Developmental Reading
RPTR 145
Recreatn Srvcs-Specl Populatns
SOWK 147
Human Diversity
SOWK 151
Introduction to Social Work
SOWK 300
Social Welfare Policy/Servcs 1
SOWK 494
Seminar
SOCA 223
Death And Dying
SOCA 360
Women & Men In Society
SPED 304
SPED in Contemporary Society
Total Hours
128
Suggested Plan of Study
First Year
Fall
Hours Spring
Hours
SPA 199
1 ENGL 102
3
Foreign Language
3 Select one of the following:
3
ENGL 101
3
STAT 211
GEC Objective 2A
3
ECON 225
PSYC 101
3 Foreign Language
3
GEC Objective (select from objectives 3, 5, 7, 8, or 9)
3 GEC Objective 3
3
LING 101
16
3
15
Second Year
Fall
GEC Objective 2B
Hours Spring
4 GEC Objective 2B
Hours
4
6
Communication Sciences and Disorders
GEC Objective (select from objectives 5, 7, 8, or 9)
3 SPA 276
3
SPA 200
3 GEC Objective (select from objectives 5, 7, 8, or 9)
3
SPA 270
3 Normal Human Development course
3
SPA 274
3 Elective
3
16
16
Third Year
Fall
Hours Spring
Hours
SPA 320
4 SPA 324
3
SPA 322
3 SPA 326
3
SPA 342
3 SPA 340
4
Abnormal Human Development course
3 SPA 460
3
SPA 390
1 SPA 391
1
GEC Objective (select form objectives 5, 7, 8, or 9)
3 Abnormal Human Development course
3
17
17
Fourth Year
Fall
Hours Spring
Hours
SPA 440
3 SPA 422
3
SPA 482
3 SPA 424
3
CS 101
4 SPA 442
3
Electives
6 SPA 483
3
SPA 485
1
Elective
16
2
15
Total credit hours: 128
COURSES
SPA 170. Speaking to Communities. 3 Hours.
Focuses on guided direction to improve the student’s conversational and public speaking skills through a variety of presentational formats to external
audiences via community outreach. Code switching among dialects will be introduced and discussed.
SPA 199. Orientation-Speech Path/Audiol. 1 Hour.
Designed to meet the First Year Experience core objectives for pre-spa students. This course serves as an orientation to the professions of speech
pathology and audiology as well as departmental degree programs, requirements, and personnel.
SPA 200. Intro - Communication Disorder. 3 Hours.
Survey of speech, language, hearing, and swallowing disorders. Introduction to the discipline of communication sciences and disorders and the
professions of speech- language pathology and audiology.
SPA 270. Effective Public Speaking. 3 Hours.
Designed for improvement of the student’s speech based upon theory and demonstrated performance of voice and diction skills and public-speaking
skills for effective communication in a variety of speaking situations.
SPA 274. Manual Communication. 3 Hours.
PR: Consent. Development of skills needed to communicate in sign language. The manual alphabet, basic number concepts, and the basic vocabulary
of traditional American signs.
SPA 276. Intermed Manual Communication. 3 Hours.
PR: SPA 274 or consent. Improve skills needed to communicate in sign language. Includes increasing sign language vocabulary, practicing finger
spelling, and communicating with signs.
SPA 278. Communication Disorders. 3 Hours.
(For non-majors.) Survey of normal processes and disorders of speech, language, and hearing in children and adults. Intended for students and
teachers in early childhood, elementary, secondary and special education; language arts specialists; child development specialists; psychologists; and
rehabilitation specialists.
SPA 280. Communication Disorder-Film. 3 Hours.
Analysis of selected films to explore the socio-emotional and functional impact of impaired speech, language, hearing, and cognition and the ways in
which society views people with communication disorders.
SPA 293A-Z. Special Topics. 1-3 Hours.
PR: Consent. Investigation of topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses.
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SPA 305. Rural Issues in Sp-Lang Path. 2 Hours.
Presentation and discussion of issues related to the practice of speech-language pathology in rural school systems.
SPA 320. Speech Science. 4 Hours.
PR: SPA 200 or consent. Detailed discussion of the speech production process, including acoustic, anatomical, and physiological aspects of speech
production.
SPA 322. Phonetics. 3 Hours.
PR: SPA 200 or consent. Standard speech sounds of the English language. Use of phonetic symbols for recording speech sounds. Classification
systems presented.
SPA 324. Language Acquisition. 3 Hours.
PR: SPA 320 and SPA 322. Normal processes involved in the acquisition of language, including the development of phonological, semantic,
morphological, pragmatic, and syntactical systems. Application of these processes to the diagnosis and treatment of language disorders.
SPA 326. Articulation and Cleft Palate. 3 Hours.
PR: SPA 322. Characteristics and etiology of articulatory and phonological disorders; survey of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Characteristics of
articulation and resonance, and survey of evaluation and treatment considerations for cleft palate.
SPA 340. Hearing Science. 4 Hours.
PR: SPA 320. Detailed discussion of auditory processing in the speech perception process, including acoustic, anatomical, and physiological aspects of
speech perception.
SPA 342. Hearing Screening Programs. 3 Hours.
PR: SPA 200 or consent. Disorders of hearing; screening programs from birth through geriatrics; introduction to industrial programs.
SPA 362. Parent Programs Comm Disorders. 3 Hours.
PR: ENGL 101 and ENGL 102 and SPA 200 or consent. For majors only. Students will learn to organize and implement parent involvement programs in
a variety of settings, interview parents, conduct conferences, utilize appropriate materials and interact effectively with parents of children communication
disorders in various clinical settings.
SPA 370. Augmentative/Alternative Comm. 3 Hours.
Discussion of augmentative/alternative communication options for persons who are unable to meet their daily needs through natural modes of verbal,
manual, or written communication. Demographics, assessment, and treatment of candidates for AAC interventions.
SPA 388. International Experience/CSD. 3 Hours.
Faculty-led exploration of professional practices and perspectives related to communication sciences and disorders in foreign countries and cultures.
Offered only through study abroad. Additional fees required.
SPA 390. Clinical Observation/SLP. 1 Hour.
PR: SPA 200 or consent. Introduction to clinical procedures and issues in speech-language pathology, including professional ethics, certification
requirements, assessment/treatment process variables, clinical observations, behavioral objectives, cues, and feedback.
SPA 391. Clinical Observation/Audiology. 1 Hour.
PR: SPA 200 or consent. Introduction to clinical procedures and issues, including professional ethics, certification requirements, assessment/treatment
process variables, clinical observations, behavioral objectives, cues, and feedback.
SPA 393A-Z. Special Topics. 1-6 Hours.
PR: Consent. Investigation of topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses.
SPA 420. Exploring SPA Clinical Settngs. 3 Hours.
PR: SPA 324 and SPA 326. Overview of governmental regulations, ethical considerations, relevant technology, and administrative/ programmatic
matters germane to the clinical practice of speech-language pathology and audiology in various settings including schools, medical and rehabilitation
facilities, and private practice.
SPA 422. Voice And Stuttering. 3 Hours.
PR: SPA 200 and SPA 326. Basic knowledge about and understanding of voice disorders and stuttering; relevant theories, facts, research findings, and
clinical practice related to the epidemiology, etiology, course, prevention, diagnosis, and remediation.
SPA 424. Language Disorders. 3 Hours.
PR: SPA 324. The nature and etiology of child and adult language disorders are described. Assessment and remediation procedures are examined.
SPA 440. Audiological Assessment. 3 Hours.
PR: SPA 340 and SPA 342. Application of basic audiological techniques, including puretone and speech audiometry, masking, and immittance testing.
SPA 442. Aural Rehabilitation. 3 Hours.
PR: SPA 440 or consent. Communication and hearing impairment; aural rehabilitation evaluation; remediation including amplification, auditory and visual
training, and ALD.
SPA 460. Professional Writing/Speaking. 3 Hours.
PR: (ENGL 101 and ENGL 102 and SPA 270) or consent. (For majors only.) Designed for improvement of students’ professional skills, specifically oral
and written. Emphasis is placed on report writing, letter writing, resume writing, listening, interviewing, group problem solving, leadership, persuasion,
and public speaking.
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Communication Sciences and Disorders
SPA 482. Clinical Practice/SLP. 3 Hours.
PR: Consent. Orientation to clinical methods for evaluation and treatment of speech-language disorders. (Graded pass/fail.).
SPA 483. Clinical Practice/Audiology. 3 Hours.
PR: Consent. Orientation to clinical methods for evaluation and treatment of hearing disorders. (Graded pass/fail.).
SPA 485. Clinical Study & Application. 1 Hour.
SPA seniors will meet in weekly seminars with a faculty mentor to develop and orally present clinically-oriented research poster.
SPA 493A-Z. Special Topics. 1-6 Hours.
PR: Consent. Investigation of topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses.
SPA 495. Independent Study. 1-6 Hours.
Faculty supervised study of topics not available through regular course offerings.