Communication Disorders - Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders (Online)

The Communication Disorders curriculum provides specialized preparation for students who would like to work as Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLP-A) and those who plan to enter a graduate program in speech-language pathology or audiology. Students supplement their academic study of typical communication development, communication disorders, and clinical management with observation of the clinical experience in the department’s Edgar R. Garrett Speech and Hearing Center and/or via alternative clinical education such as virtual patients. Students must maintain a grade of B or better in all Speech Language Hearing Sciences (SPHS) courses and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher, to remain in the program.

The undergraduate program fulfills all educational requirements needed for certification as Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLP-A) by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Details regarding certification are available from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and for those seeking a license as Apprentice in Speech-Language (ASL) in New Mexico, information can be found on the website of the New Mexico Regulations & Licensing Department.

Professional employment opportunities for speech-language pathologists and audiologists are numerous within settings such as school systems, community clinics, medical centers, hospitals, private practice, residential programs, and schools for individuals with disabilities.

Program Requirements

Required coursework (120 credits; minimum 48 upper-division credits)

Electives to meet the 120 minimum credit hours for this degree can either come from any minor that a student chooses to pursue or any other elective courses not counting elsewhere towards the degree. Recommended minors for this degree are Linguistics, Spanish, or Counseling and Educational Psychology.

Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements, Viewing a Wider World requirements, and elective credits to total at least 120 credits with 48 credits in courses numbered 300/3000 or above. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.

Prefix Title Credits
General Education
Area I: English and Communication
English Composition - Level 1
ENGL 1110GComposition I4
English Composition - Level 2
ENGL 2210GProfessional and Technical Communication Honors3
or ENGL 2221G Writing in the Humanities and Social Science
Oral Communication
COMM 1115GIntroduction to Communication3
Area II: Mathematics
MATH 1220GCollege Algebra (or higher) 13
Area III/IV: Laboratory Sciences and Social/Behavioral Sciences
PSYC 1110GIntroduction to Psychology3
BIOL 1130GIntroductory Anatomy & Physiology (non-majors)4
PHYS 1125GPhysics of Music4
Area V: Humanities
ENGL 1410GIntroduction to Literature3
or PHIL 1145G Philosophy, Law, and Ethics
Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts
Choose one of the following:3
Orientation in Art3
History of Art I3
Music Appreciation: Jazz3
Music Appreciation: Western Music3
General Education Elective
SOCI 1110GIntroduction to Sociology3
Viewing a Wider World Courses (must be from two different colleges) 26
Human Relations Training3
A second VWW course must be outside the College of HEST and available through the NMSU Online Campus
Departmental/College Requirements
SPHS 2110Introduction to Communication Disorders3
SPHS 4510Phonetics3
SPHS 4520Audiology3
SPHS 4610Language Acquisition3
SPHS 4620Speech and Hearing Science3
SPHS 4710Speech Disorders Across the Lifespan3
SPHS 4715Language Disorders Across the Life Span3
SPHS 4720Anatomy and Physiology of Speech Mechanisms3
SPHS 4810Clinical Methods and Procedures3
SPHS 4820Neural Bases of Communication Disorders3
SPHS 4830Aural Rehabilitation3
Non- Departmentals Requirements (in addition to Gen.Ed/VWW)
CEPY 1120GHuman Growth and Behavior3
CEPY 4150Psychology, Multiculturalism and Counseling3
FCST 2110Infancy Through Middle Childhood in the Family3
FCST 2135Adolescent Development and the Family3
or FCST 2140 Adult Development and Aging
MATH 1350GIntroduction to Statistics3
PHLS 3220Foundations of Public Health3
PHLS 4620VCross-Cultural Aspects of Health3
PSYC 3110Experimental Methods0,4
PSYC 340Cognitive Psychology3
PSYC 375Psychology and the Brain3
Second Language: (see below)
SIGN 1110American Sign Language I 33
or SPAN 1110 Spanish I
SIGN 1120American Sign Language II 33
or SPAN 1120 Spanish II
Electives, to bring total credits to 120 415
8 credits must be upper-division
Total Credits120-124
1

MATH 1220G College Algebra is required for the degree but students may need to take any prerequisites needed to enter MATH 1220G first.

2

See the Viewing a Wider World section of the catalog for a full list of courses.

3

SPAN 1110 Spanish I/SPAN 1120 Spanish II or an advanced Spanish course

4

Elective credit may vary based on prerequisites, dual credit, AP credit, double majors, and/or minor coursework. The amount indicated in the requirements list is the amount needed to bring the total to 120 credits and may appear in variable form based on the degree. However students may end up needing to complete more or less on a case-by-case basis and students should discuss elective requirements with their advisor.

A Suggested Plan of Study for Students

This roadmap assumes student  placement in MATH 1220G College Algebra  and ENGL 1110G Composition I . The contents and order of this roadmap may vary depending on initial student placement in mathematics and English. It is only a suggested plan of study for students and is not intended as a contract. Course availability may vary from fall to spring semester and may be subject to modification or change.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Semester 1Credits
FALL
SPHS 2110 Introduction to Communication Disorders 3
PSYC 1110G Introduction to Psychology 3
ENGL 1110G Composition I 4
MATH 1220G College Algebra 3
 Credits13
Semester 2
SPRING
SPHS 4610 Language Acquisition 3
BIOL 1130G Introductory Anatomy & Physiology (non-majors) 4
ENGL 2210G
Professional and Technical Communication Honors
or Writing in the Humanities and Social Science
3
First Course in Second Language Series (ASL or SPAN) 3
 Credits13
Semester 3
SUMMER
COMM 1115G Introduction to Communication 3
ENGL 1410G
Introduction to Literature
or Philosophy, Law, and Ethics
3
Next Course in Second Language Series (ASL or SPAN) 3
 Credits9
Second Year
Semester 1
FALL
MATH 1350G Introduction to Statistics 3
SOCI 1110G Introduction to Sociology 3
SPHS 4510 Phonetics 3
SPHS 4715 Language Disorders Across the Life Span 3
 Credits12
Semester 2
SPRING
SPHS 4620 Speech and Hearing Science 3
Choose one from the following: 3
Orientation in Art
History of Art I
Music Appreciation: Western Music
Music Appreciation: Jazz
CEPY 1120G Human Growth and Behavior 3
 Credits9
Semester 3
SUMMER
SPHS 4520 Audiology 3
SPHS 4830 Aural Rehabilitation 3
 Credits6
Third Year
Semester 1
FALL
CEPY 3210V Human Relations Training 3
PHYS 1125G Physics of Music 4
PSYC 3110 Experimental Methods 0-4
FCST 2110 Infancy Through Middle Childhood in the Family 3
 Credits10-14
Semester 2
SPRING
PSYC 375 Psychology and the Brain 3
SPHS 4710 Speech Disorders Across the Lifespan 3
SPHS 4810 Clinical Methods and Procedures 3
PHLS 4620V Cross-Cultural Aspects of Health 3
 Credits12
Semester 3
SUMMER
PHLS 3220 Foundations of Public Health 3
CEPY 4150 Psychology, Multiculturalism and Counseling 3
 Credits6
Fourth Year
Semester 1
SPHS 4720 Anatomy and Physiology of Speech Mechanisms 3
Upper Division Elective Course(s) 6
VWW - Viewing a Wider World Course 1 3
 Credits12
Semester 2
SPRING
PSYC 340 Cognitive Psychology 3
SPHS 4820 Neural Bases of Communication Disorders 3
Upper Division Elective Course 2
FCST 2135
Adolescent Development and the Family
or Adult Development and Aging
3
 Credits11
 Total Credits113-117
1

The VWW Course must be outside the College of Health, Education and Social Transformation and be facilitated through the NMSU Online section offerings see the Viewing a Wider World section of the catalog for a complete list of VWW Courses and refer to the Course Schedule for the available campus offerings.