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Department of Communicative Science and Disorders

Lucy Hart Paulson, Chair

The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders prepares students for graduate study in speech-language pathology, audiology, various education specialties, business, and health care as well as such fields as developmental and cognitive psychology.  The Master of Science degree provides students with the foundational knowledge and clinical skills in the field of speech language pathology to work in medical and educational settings with clients across the life span.

Special Degree Requirements

Refer to graduation requirements listed previously in the catalog.  See index.

Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Communicative Sciences and Disorders

To graduate with a BA degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders, the student must successfully complete 1) 42 total CSD credits (with 30 of those credits in courses numbered 300 or above); 2) complete all out of department required courses (see below); 3) the University of Montana general education requirements (GER) and the Upper division Writing Expectation must be met by successfully completing CSD 430 and 440.

Required courses within Department (42 crs.):
  • CSD U 110 - The Field of CSD...................................................................................................3
  • CSD U 210 - Speech and Language Development......................................................................3
  • CSD U 221 - Fundamentals of Acoustics: Applications in Speech, Hearing& Language..............3 
  • CSDU 222 - Introduction to Audiology....................................................................................3
  • CSDU 320 - Phonological Development and Phonetics.............................................................3
  • CSDU 330 - Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanisms..........................3
  • CSD U 340 - Foundations in Speech Disorders...........................................................................3
  • CSD U 360 - Language Disorders...............................................................................................3
  • CSD U 405 - Clinical Processs..................................................................................................3
  • CSD U 411 - Neuroanatomyand Physiology for Communication................................................3
  • CSD U 420 - Speech Science.......................................................................................................3
  • CSD U 430 - Senior Capstone I....................................................................................................3
  • CSD U 440 - Senior Capstone II...................................................................................................3
  • CSDU 450 - Introdcution to Aural Rehabilitation...............................................................................3
Out of Department required courses (19-20 crs.)
  • BIOB 101N or 108N (BIOL 100N or 108N) - Discovery Biology or Basic Anatomy or Principles of Living Systems or ASTR 131N - Elementary Astronomy I or CHMY 121N ( CHEM 151N) - Intro to General Chemistry or CSD 221 N - Fundamentals of Acoustics.................................................3-4
  • LING 270S - Introduction to Linguistics...................................................................................3
  • STAT 216 (MATH 241) - Introduction to Statistics or PSYX 222 (PSYC 220) - Psychological Statistics or SOCI 202 (SOC 202) - Social Statistics ........................................................................3
  • PSYX 100S (PSYC100S) - Introduction to Psychology.................................................................4
  • PSYX 120 (PSYC 120) - Research Methods I.................................................................................3
  • PSYX 230S (PSYC 240S) - Developmental Psychology..................................................................3
Elective courses within Department:
  • CSDU 131 - American Sign Language I.....................................................................................3
  • CSDU 132 - American Sign Language II.....................................................................................3
  • CSDUG 480 - Multicultural Issues in Speech, Language and Hearing..............................................3
  • CSD U 490 - Undergraduate Clinical Practicum..............................................................................3
  • CSD U 495 - Special Topics.............................................................................................................3
  • CSD U 497 - Independent Research................................................................................................3

Suggested Course of Study

First Year A S
CSD 110 The Field of CSD 3 -
PSYX 100S (PSYC100S) Introduction to Psychology - 4
M 115 (MATH 117) Probability and Linear Math - 3
WRIT 101 (ENEX 101) College Writing I 3 -
COMM 173 Language, Culture and Society - 3
BIOB 101N (BIOL 100N) Discovery Biology 3 -
General Education/Electives 6 6
Total Credits 15 16
Second Year    
CSD 210 Speech & Language Development 3 -
CSD 221N Foundations of Acoustics - 3
CSD 222 Introduction to Audiology 3 -
CSD 330 Anat & Phys Speech Mech 3 -
PSYX 230S (PSYC 240S) Developmental Psychology 3 -
PSYX 120 (PSYC 120) Research Methods I - 3
General Education/Electives 3 9
Total Credits 15 15
Third Year    
M 216 (MATH 241) Introduction to Statistics 4 -
CSD 320 Phono Devel & Phonetics 3 -
CSD 340 Foundations Speech Disorders - 3
CSD360 Foundations of Language Disorders - 3
General Education/Electives (Students must complete 9 total upper-division credits outside of the CSD major) 9 6
Total Credits                            16 15
Fourth Year    
CSD 405 The Clinical Process - 3
CSD 411 Neuroanatomy & Physiology for Comm 3 -
CSD 430 Senior Capstone I 3 -
CSD 420 Speech Science - 3
CSD 440 Senior Capstone II - 3
CSD 480 Multicultural Issues in Speech Language and Hearing 3 -
CSD 450 Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation - 3
Electives (Students must complete 9 total upper-division credits outside of the CSD major) 9 0
Total Credits 15 15

Courses

U = for undergraduate credit only, UG = for undergraduate or graduate credit, G = for graduate credit. R after the credit indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the R.  Credits beyond this maximum do not count toward a degree.

Communicative Sciences and Disorders (CSD)

U 110 The Field of Communicative Sciences and Disorders 3 cr. Offered autumn. Introduction to the scientific study of human communi­cation and its disorders and to the professions of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.  Overview of biological systems of speech, language, and hearing and the nature and treatment of communication disorders.

U 131 American Sign Language I 3 cr. Offered autumn. Introduces the fundamentals of American Sign Language (ASL) used by the Deaf Community, including basic vocabulary, syntax, fingerspelling, and grammatical non-manual signals. Focuses on basic expressive and receptive competence.  In addition, the course provides a survey of various issues raised by examining ASL and the Deaf community.

U 132 American Sign Language II 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., CSD 131. ASL II emphasizes further development of receptive and expressive skills; use of signing space; further use of non-manual components of ASL grammar including facial expression and body postures, and introduction to conversational regulators. Discussion of regional and ethnic sign variations, and social, political and educational institutions of the Deaf community. Interaction with members of the Deaf community in both directed and non-directed activities will be featured.

U 210 Speech and Language Development 3 cr. Offered autumn. Topics include typical speech and language development, phonology, semantic, morphological, syntax, and pragmatics, along with individual differences, second language acquisition and liter­acy.

U 221N Fundamentals of Acoustics:  Applications in Speech, Hearing and Language 3 cr.  Offered spring. Provides students with a basic and working knowledge of acoustics and the physics of sound.  Provides the basis for measurement and description of speech stimuli.  Direct application to Speech Hearing and Language intervention as well as application into communicative sciences.

U 222 Introduction to Audiology 3 cr. Offered autumn. Introduction to prin­ciples of acoustics as a basis for understanding hearing assess­ment.  Development of ability to interpret audiograms as well as the results from a hearing evaluation.  Includes pure tone and speech audiometry, acoustic immittance and reflex test­ing.  Hearing screening procedures are also included.

U 320 Phonological Development and Phonetics 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., CSD210. Exploration of the sounds and sound structure of American English and some of its dialects. Introduction to the theory and practice of phonetic and phonological analysis and trained in the transcription of speech into the International Phonetic Alphabet.

U 330 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanisms 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., CSD210.  Introduction to anat­omy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanisms including the anatomical orientation and embryological devel­opment, the breathing mechanism, structures of phonation, articulators, audition and the nervous system.

U 340 Foundations of Speech Disorders 3 cr. Offered spring. Nature of various speech disorders and basic understanding of principles underlying assessment and treatment of these disorders.

U 360 Language Disorders 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., CSD210, CSD320.  Identification, assessment, and intervention for a variety of childhood and adult language disorders. Other topics include secondary conditions, potential developmental, psychosocial and educational concerns, multicultural considerations, and family roles.

U 405 The Clinical Process 3 cr. Offered spring.  Prereq., CSD 210, CSD 222, CSD 320, CSD 340, CSD 360.  The underlying principles of clinical methods and practice including:  the observation of human behavior and clinical processes, assessment of communication differences, clinical management of these differences, delays and disorders, behavior, interviewing/counseling, lesson planning, and writing skills.

U 411 Neuroanatomyand Physiology for Communication 3 cr.  Offered spring. Prereq.,CSD 330 and BIOB 101N or BIOB 160N (BIOL 100N or 110N). Focused study on the anatomy of the nervous system and how the nervous system supports behaviors inherent to communication. Students will be introduced to anatomical terms, structures, and functions. Clinical implications will be discussed as well.

U 420 Speech Science 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., CSD 330. Physiologic, neurologic, and acoustic aspects of human communication, theoretical framework for speech science, and principles of acoustics applied to speech pathology.

U 430 Senior Capstone I 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., senior status. Part one of a two course sequence where the student completes an independent project. Students will prepare a literature review, and ethics application, and a proposal in preparation for a major research project of their design.

U 440 Senior Capstone II 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq.,senior status, CSD 430. Part two of a two course sequence where the student completes an independent research project. Students research and write about a topic of their choice and present their findings at the end of the semester.

U 450 Aural Rehabilitation 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., CSD 222.  Fundamental skills in speech reading and various types of hearing aids, and the tools necessary to assess and implement auditory training. Both children and adults are included.

U 470 Clinical Observation 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., CSD 320, CSD 330, CSD 340, CSD 360.  Complete clinical observation guides to fulfill ASHA Standard IV-C by viewing live and recorded treatment and diagnostic sessions under the guidance of speech-language pathologist who holds the certificate of clinical competence.

UG 480 Multicultural Issues in Speech, Language, and Hearing 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., CSD 210, CSD 222, CSD 320, CSD 340, CSD 360.  Topics include: dynamics of community and culture; strategies to communicate with people from a variety of backgrounds; learning English as a second language; and phonological and linguistic analysis of differences between Standard English speakers and culturally diverse populations. International differences in service delivery.

U 490 Undergraduate Clinical Practicum 1-3 credits (per semester) Prereq., CSD 310, lower division CSD courses, and consent of CSD Clinical Director.  A maximum of 5 credits of clinical practicum may count toward graduation.  Allows the advanced student an opportunity to pursue independent or small group clinical practicum.  Students will be directly supervised by a certified speech and language pathologist or audiologist.

U 495 Special Topics 3 cr. Offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

U 497 Independent Research 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring.  Prereq., consent of instructor.

UG 520 Articulation and Phonological Disorders 3 cr. Offered Autumn. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and CSD 320, CSD 330, CSD 340 or equivalent course work. Theoretical perspectives on phonological and articulation disorders with emphasis on application to clinical management including evaluation, assessment techniques, and intervention strategies.

UG 525 Diagnostic Process in Speech-Language Pathology 3 cr. Offered Spring. Prerequisites: Graduate standing. Practicum in the assessment and evaluation of speech and language disorders. Emphasis on assessment tools, procedures, rationales, and interpretation.

UG 530 Voice Disorders 3 cr. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and CSD 330, CSD 340 and CSD 411 or equivalent course work.  Study of anatomy, physiology and pathology of the voice mechanism with the symptomatology and disorder complexes related to phonation. Philosophies and methods used in the diagnosis and treatment of voices disorders.

UG 535 Aural Rehabilitation 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., graduate standing, CSD 222 and CSD 450 or instr consent. Effects of hearing loss upon the educational, social and personal development of children and adults. Philosophies and methodologies for habilitation and rehabilitation of speech and language development for individuals with hearing-impairment.

UG 540 Fluency Disorders 3 cr. Offered Autumn. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and CSD 340 or equivalent course work.  Theoretical, etiological, and developmental perspectives of fluency disorders.  Principals of assessment and intervention, including integration of fluency shaping and stuttering modification techniques.

UG 545 Augmentative and Alternative Communication 3 cr. Offered variable terms.  Prereqs., graduate standing.  Topics include: AAC terminology,  design and use of multiple AAC devices (high and light tech), and implementation of treatment programs for individuals and communication partners.

UG 550 Language and Learning Disorders in Young Children 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., Graduate standing and CSD 210 and CSD 360 or equivalent course work. Theoretical perspectives, research, and clinical issues concerning disorders of language in infants, toddlers and preschoolers considering contributing factors, special populations and basic assessment and intervention principles. 

G 560 Language and Learning Disorders in School-Aged Children 3cr.  Offered spring. Prereq., graduate standing and CSD 210 and CSD 360 or equivalent course work.  Theoretical perspectives, research, and clinical issues concerning disorders of language, literacy, and learning in the school-age population (elementary through high school) considering contributing factors, special populations and basic assessment and intervention principles.

G 565 Aphasia and Related Neurocognitive Disorders 3 cr. Offered autumn.  Prereq., CSD 210, CSD 330, CSD 360, and CSD 411 or equivalent course work and graduate standing. Neural bases and medical etiologies of acquired language disorders in adults. Evaluation and treatment of cognitive, linguistic and behavioral sequelae of adults with neurogenic impairments throughout successive stages of recovery. 

G 570 Clinical Procedures I 1 cr. Offered autumn and summer.  Prereq., graduate standing, completion of undergraduate curriculum, and permission of clinical director. Advanced study of topics related to current professional and clinical issues in speech-language pathology. Discussions, demonstrations and expectations of clinical practicum. 

G 575 Clinical Procedures II 2 cr. Prereq., CSD 570. A continuation of the preparation of student clinicians for clinical practicum work. Review models and theoretical perspectives regarding communication disorders with application to the clinical processes of assessment, intervention, counseling, and efficacy of intervention.

G 600  Research Methods 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., graduate standing. Research methodologies appropriate for quantitative and qualitative studies in communication sciences and disorders. Focuses on critical reading of research papers, design, and implementation of experiments.

G 640 Swallowing & Motor Speech 3 cr. Prereq., Graduate standing, CSD 330, 340 and 411 or equivalent course work.  Neural bases of normal and disordered speech motor control, assessment and treatment of motor speech disorders of children and adults, and application of motor control research to clinical issues.

G 675 Clinical Externship 6 cr.  Offered spring and autumn. Prereq., permissions of Clinic Director and completion of at least 5 credits of CSD 575 clinical course work.  The course is an externship typically completed during a student’s final semester of graduate school.  The externship requires a commitment of 30 -40 hours a week in a school, clinic, or medical site across Montana or out of state that is approved by The University of Montana.  Online case study is also required to fulfill requirements.

G 698 CSD Research Paper 3 cr. Offered spring and autumn Prerequisites: Research Paper CSD 600, graduate standing and consent of instructor. In depth literature review of a particular field of study related to speech and language pathology.

G 699 Thesis 6 cr. Offered spring Prerequisites: CSD 600, graduate standing and consent of instructor. The primary purpose of the thesis is to allow a student to conduct a research project in a particular field of study related to speech and language pathology.

Faculty

Associate/Assistant  Professors

Al Yonovitz, Ph.D. CCC-A, MaudSA (University of Connecticut, 1973 

Lucy Hart Paulson, Ed.D., CCC-SLP (The University of Montana. 2004) (Chair)

Amy Glaspey, Ph.D., CCC-SLP ( The University of Washington, 2006)

Laurie Slovarp, M.S., CCC-SLP (Arizona State University, 2000)

Ginger C. Collins, MS, CCC-SLP(Ph.D. pending, Louisiana State University)

Clinical Faculty

Christine Merriman, M.A., CCC-SLP (The University of Montana, 1979) (Clinical Directory)

Anne Kennedy, M.S., CCC-SLP (University of Iowa, 1998)

Registrar's Office

Lommasson Center 201

Phone: (406) 243-2995

Fax: (406) 243-4807