Communication Sciences and Disorders

Undergraduate

Terry Baggs, Chair

Don Morris Center, Room 119
ACU Box 28058
Abilene, Texas 79699-8058

Phone: 325-674-2090
Fax: 325-674-6272
Email: twb07c@acu.edu
Web: https://acu.edu/academics/health-behavioral-sciences/communication-sciences-disorders/

Faculty

Shealynn Abston, College Assistant Professor
Terry Baggs, Associate Professor
Brenda Bender, Associate Professor
Lory Chrane, Instructor
Brooke Clarke, Instructor and Clinical Coordinator
April Davis-Jones, Instructor and Clinical Coordinator
Monica Garcia, Instructor and Clinic Director
Michelle Peek, Assistant Professor
Hollie Reese, College Assistant Professor
Dara Rodriguez, Instructor and Clinical Coordinator
Ellen Shutt, Instructor

The Communication Sciences and Disorders Department offers a Bachelor of Science degree in communication sciences and disorders.

Introduction

The goal of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is to prepare students to pursue graduate study in communication disorders (e.g., speech-language pathology or audiology). Four years of undergraduate education, followed by at least two additional years of graduate study are required to practice as a Certified Speech-Language Pathologist or Audiologist. Speech-language pathologists and audiologists are required by most states to earn a graduate degree from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology residential and satellite location at Abilene Christian University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

Additional Admission Requirements

The declaration of Communication Sciences and Disorders as a major does not ensure admission to the Communication Sciences and Disorders program. In addition to the requirements for all degrees (see the General Education section of this catalog), the student must apply for and be granted admission to the Communication Sciences and Disorders program after taking three of the four following courses in the degree program (CSD 225 , CSD 319 , CSD 330 , and CSD 381 ).

The Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) at Abilene Christian University requires a minimum of 5 to 6 semesters to complete. Students are designated as Pre-CSD majors until they have been admitted to the UG CSD program.

Students apply for admission to the CSD major when they:

Are enrolled in or have completed 45 semester hours of credit towards the degree at ACU;
Have a minimum overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0;
Have completed three of the four following courses in the major with a 3.0 GPA for those courses (CSD 225 - Phonetics , CSD 319 - Speech Science , CSD 330 - Language Development and Disorders , and CSD 381 - Anatomical and Physiological Processes of Communication ).

The Undergraduate Admissions Committee will review applications and make recommendations to the department chair. A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 must be maintained to remain in the major.

Once admitted as a CSD major, the remaining coursework is sequenced in a manner determined by the faculty to best prepare students for future courses. As such, it is required that these courses be taken in the designated sequence. In the event of an extenuating circumstance, courses may be taken out of sequence with faculty approval. Students will not be allowed to complete required courses in the CSD major prior to their final semester at ACU.

Information on applying for admission to the program is given to all students when they declare their major.

Other Departmental Requirements

In order to remain in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program, a student must:

Maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or better;
Have a “C” or better in all majors classes;
Recommendation for continuing the program from the CSD Admissions and Review committee.

Students who do not continue to meet the above requirements will be dropped from COMP classes. Any exemptions or modifications to the above requirements due to special circumstances must be requested through the chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. All requests will be reviewed and must be approved by the CSD Admissions and Review committee.

Study Abroad Expectations

All students are encouraged to participate in ACU’s Study Abroad program. Classes offered at Study Abroad sites vary depending on the site. Academic advisors can assist students in planning ahead for their Study Abroad experience and should be consulted during the freshman year.

Graduate

Terry Baggs, Chair

Erica McLean, Director, Abilene Division
ACU Box 28058
Abilene, Texas 79699-8058
Don Morris Center, Room 119

Phone: 325-674-2420
Fax: 325-674-2552
Email: elc09c@acu.edu
Web: www.acu.edu/grad

Brenda Bender, Director, Dallas Division
16633 Dallas Parkway, Suite 800
Addison, TX 75501

Phone: 469-398-2793
Email: brenda.bender@acu.edu

Faculty

Shealynn Abston, College Assistant Professor
Terry Baggs, Associate Professor
Brenda Bender, Associate Professor
Lory Chrane, Instructor
Brooke Clark, Instructor and Clinical Coordinator*
April Davis-Jones, Instructor and Clinical Coordinator*
Monica Garcia, Instructor and Clinic Director
Michelle Peek, Assistant Professor*
Hollie Reese, College Assistant Professor
Dara Rodriguez, Instructor and Clinical Coordinator*
Ellen Shutt, Instructor*

*These instructors are primarily located in Dallas.

Introduction

Abilene Christian University’s Communication Sciences and Disorders Department offers a Master of Science (MS) degree in Speech-Language Pathology. This is a 52-hour non-thesis program consisting of 44 hours of academic preparation and 8 hours of clinical practicum. Passing a comprehensive examination is required. A student may complete an approved research project in lieu of comprehensive examinations.

The mission of the Communication Sciences and Disorders department is to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills for effective ministry to persons with communication, cognitive, and swallowing disorders from a Christ-centered perspective. Students and faculty are involved in the provision of diagnostic and treatment services to the community; research into the causes, prevention, and effects of communication disorders; and advocacy for persons with communication disabilities. The training program endeavors to produce speech-language pathologists with professional competency and conduct consistent with the highest national standards.

Abilene Christian University’s MS degree in Speech-Language pathology is offered on both the Abilene and Dallas campuses. Classes at both campuses are offered in a traditional face-to-face format. The applicant will complete an application for their campus preference in the CSDCAS application.

The Abilene campus presents the coursework in a traditional 2-year sequence/timeline. Enrollment is limited to applicants who are full-time students. A Bilingual Emphasis Program is also available on the Abilene campus for students who already have advanced proficiency in a second language. This program will enable them to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to practice as bilingual speech-language pathologists and includes focused coursework, clinical experiences, and mentoring by a licensed bilingual speech-language pathologist.

The Dallas campus presents the coursework in a traditional 2-year sequence/timeline as well as a 3-year sequence/timeline. Applicants interested in intensive coursework and clinical training should apply for the 2-year course sequence. Students complete 12-15 credit hours each long semester which includes a community-based clinical rotation. Applicants wanting to pursue a graduate degree but needing to work 20 hours per week or more (full-time employees) should apply for the 3-year course sequence. Students in this course sequence will carry 7-10 credit hours in fall and spring semesters (with the exception of the final semester). Students are required to complete coursework and clinical rotations across 2 summers, taking 4-5 credit hours each summer. Students on the 3-year sequence are required to complete 2 full-time clinical rotations of 8-10 weeks in length. A leave of absence from work may be necessary to meet clinical training requirements. Students on the 3-year sequence are considered full-time students per the university catalog even though they are taking fewer credit hours per semester than 2-year sequence students.

Admission Requirements

Enrollment for the 2-year course sequence is limited to applicants who will be full-time students. Applicants who need to work 20 or more hours per week and who are interested in pursuing a graduate degree in speech-language pathology should apply for the 3-year course sequence/timeline.

The admission requirements for the MS program in Speech-Language Pathology are:

A completed application through CSDCAS and a completed ACU application for admission with a nonrefundable application fee.
An official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) of all previous colleges attended. The transcript must indicate an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent.
A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
A minimum GRE score of 288 (combined verbal and quantitative).
Three letters of recommendation

At least two of the recommendations must come from professors/faculty in the field and relate to the applicant’s potential academic success.
Applicants who have worked in a full-time capacity may utilize their supervisor for one of these recommendations.
CSDCAS will also provide a rating scale.

Complete a 300-500 word personal essay (prompt in the CSDCAS application).
A current resume that includes information regarding: college education and activities to date, employment to date, and community/church involvement. High school activities should not be included.
A two-year commitment is required from all applicants accepted in the 2-year course sequence/timeline. A three-year commitment is required from applicants accepted in the 3-year course sequence/timeline.
All application materials must be received by CSDCAS the preceding February 1 for the fall semester. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. An application is considered incomplete if any of the required elements have not been received by CSDCAS.

Only completed applications, verified by CSDCAS will be reviewed by the CSD faculty. A personal interview will be required. Additional information regarding the nature of the interview will be provided when an interview is scheduled.

The Communication Sciences and Disorders Admissions Committee makes holistic judgments based on the evaluation of an applicant’s ability and readiness for graduate work. The Committee may recommend probationary admission for an applicant who does not meet all admission criteria but is deemed to have the potential for success and contribution to the program mission.

Programs

Master of Science

Speech-Language Pathology, MS (CSD)

Bachelor of Science

Communication Sciences and Disorders, BS (COMP)

Courses

Communication Sciences and Disorders