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Communication Sciences and Disorders, B.S.
Communication sciences and disorders (CSD) meets the educational needs of the aspiring speech-language pathologist (SLP), audiologist, and other speech- and language-related professionals.
Program Overview
The undergraduate program provides students with foundational knowledge, skills, and experiences in speech, language, and hearing. The major also provides broad exposure to a variety of disorders to communication and swallowing.
Priority deadline for fall semester is January 15. Following the deadline, applications are accepted until the program is full.
Why Study Communication Sciences and Disorders at Grand Valley?
- Unique curriculum, including broad exposure to communication and swallowing disorders.
- State-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories on a campus located in the heart of Grand Rapids medical mile.
- Dedicated and experienced faculty.
- The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (2016-2026) anticipates an 18 percent increased need for speech-language pathologists due to an aging population; the growing number of autistic children needing communication and social interventions; and improved survival rates for premature infants.
- The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (2016-2026) anticipates a 21 percent increased need for audiologists due to hearing loss and balance disorders in an aging population; early hearing loss identification in infants; and advances in hearing aid design.
Location & Format
All undergraduate students begin their academic career on the Allendale Campus. Students in this major continue their upper division studies on the GVSU Health Campus, near the Grand Rapids Medical Mile.
Format:- Face To Face
Coursework
- Audiologic rehabilitation
- Anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing mechanism
- Articulation and phonological disorders
- Cognitive and social aspects of communication
- Feeding and swallowing
- Fluency
- Neurological foundations of communication
- Receptive and expressive language
- Phonetics
- Hearing and speech science
- Voice and resonance
Core studies also include courses in biology, physics, psychology, statistics, research methods, and foundations in education and health care.
Career Options
SLPs and audiologists work in a variety of settings:
- Early intervention (daycare centers, schools, homes)
- Health care (hospitals, long-term care, home health, rehabilitation centers)
- Private practice and universities
- Public and private schools
Combined Degree Programs
This undergraduate degree can be combined with a master's degree to save you time and money, and get you into the workforce sooner. On average, students save $8,500 in our combined degree programs and take up to four fewer classes than if earning the degrees separately.
You can even build your own combined degree from programs in different disciplines to further personalize your education and meet specific career goals.
Admission Requirements
Students typically apply for admission the second semester of the sophomore year. Prerequisites include 3.0 GPA; application form; official transcript(s) from all non-GVSU colleges/universities attended. Application forms can be found on the department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) website.
Helpful Links
For More Information
College of Health Professions Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Communication Sciences and Disorders Program
gvsu.edu/csd
500 Lafayette Ave.
NE, Suite 204
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616)
331-5540
Fax: (616) 331-5550