Are you the kind of person who wants to work with patients and help them achieve their goals? This is the path for you!

Completion of an undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders provides students with opportunities to pursue a master’s degree, PhD in Speech Language Pathology, or an AuD or PhD in Audiology. The Department of Communication Disorders provides students with theoretical foundation at the undergraduate level. Curriculum includes the processes of human communication, as well as evaluation, treatment, and research.  

 The department also offers a fully-accredited Master of Arts degree in Communication Disorders. Students who earn their undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders at Southeast are eligible for priority enrollment consideration to the master’s program. 

What You’ll Do  

As a communications disorders major, you’ll be prepared for graduate study in speech-language pathology and audiology by: 

  • Working closely with faculty mentors who themselves are leaders in the field. 
  • Gaining invaluable experience by completing a clinical practicum, delivering services directly to clients in the on-campus Center for Speech and Hearing. 
  • Learning in small class settings. 

What Can You Do with a Communication Disorders Degree?

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time. 

Employment Settings of Recent Graduates

  • Inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation
  • Public Schools
  • Skilled nursing facilities
  • Early Intervention
  • Private clinics
  • Universities
  • Neonatal intensive care units

Graduate School and Program Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • Southeast Missouri State University
  • Rockhurst University
  • Maryville University
  • Saint Louis University
  • Southern Illinois UniversityEdwardsville

 

Communication Disorders Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree

Outcomes & Careers 

  • $84k 

    Median annual salary for Speech-Language Pathologist

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) earn an average annual salary of $84,140. 

     

     

     

  • 15%

    Growth Rate Healthcare occupations requiring a bachelor's degree

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a growth rate of 15% for occupations such as speech-language pathology or audiology assistants, which is faster than average.

     

     


What You'll Study

Degree Map

The communications disorders program allows you incredible hands-on professional experience providing assessment and intervention, treatment, and rehabilitation for patients. Coupling experiential learning with rigorous academic coursework. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours.

Required Courses:

  • CD211 Anatomy & Physiology/Speech Mechanism (4)
  • CD225 Phonetics (3)
  • CD230 Introduction to Communication Disorders (3)
  • CD340 Normal Speech/Language Development (3)
  • CD390 Counseling Individuals with Communication Disorders (3)
  • CD395 Introduction to the Hearing Mechanism & Audiological Assessment (3)
  • CD399 Speech & Hearing Science (3)
  • CD402 Clinical Practicum/ Communication Disorders (3)
  • CD404 Clinical Applications in Speech-Language Pathology (3)
  • CD406 Service Delivery in Communication Disorders (4)
  • CD408 Nature of Assessment & Intervention for Language & Fluency Disorders (3)
  • CD409 Nature of Assessment & Intervention for Articulation & Voice Disorders (3)
  • CD413 Preventing, Diagnosing, & Treating Language-Based Literacy Disorders (3)
  • CD464 Senior Seminar in Communication Disorders (1)
  • CD470 Introduction to Culturally Responsive Practive in Comm Disorders (3)
  • CD480 Neuroanatomy & Neurophysiology in Speech & Hearing (3)
  • CD484 Introduction to Neurogenic Disorders (3)
  • HL113 Medical Terminology (3)

Choose one of the following:*

  • CD502 Communication Technology (3)**
  • CD525 Aural Rehabilitation (3)

Additional Requirements:

  • BS103 Human Biology (3) OR BS113 Anatomy & Physiology 1 (4)
  • EN140 Rhetoric & Critical Thinking (3)
  • MA155 Statistical Reasoning (3)
  • PY101 Introduction to Psychology (3)

Choose 3-5 hours:

  • CH180 Chemistry in Our World (3)
  • Ch181 Basic Principles of Chemistry (5)
  • PH106 Physical Concepts (3)

Choose One Course:

  • CD110 Language Culture of Deaf (3)
  • SO101 Introduction to Sociology (3)

*If planning to pursue a graduate degree in Communication Disorders, it is recommended that students complete CD525 Aural Rehabilitation.

**If pursuing the Assistant Certification Program through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), students must take all CD courses. CD502 must be taken as a required elective for the Audiology Assistant or Speech Pathology Assistant Certification Program through the (ASHA) at the undergraduate level.

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
  • Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
  • Written Communication – 6 hours
  • Oral Communication – 3 hours
  • Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
  • Mathematics – 3 hours
  • Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
  • Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
    Civics examination

Freshman

Fall Semester (13-14 Hours) 
  • UI100 (1) 
  • EN100 (3) 
  • BS103  or BS113 (3-4) 
  • PY101 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
Spring Semester (15 Hours) 
  • CD110 or SO102 (3) 
  • CH180/CH181/PH106 (3) 
  • EN140 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 

Sophomore

Fall Semester (15 Hours) 
  • CD225 (3) 
  • CD230 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
Spring Semester (16 Hours) 
  • CD211 (4) 
  • CD340 (3) 
  • MA155 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Elective (3) 

Junior

Fall Semester (15 Hours) 
  • CD399 (3) 
  • CD406 (4) 
  • CD409 (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
  • Elective (3) 
Spring Semester (15 Hours) 
  • CD395 (3)
  • CD408 (3) 
  • CD480 (3) 
  • HL113 (3)
  • Elective (3) 

Senior

Fall Semester (16 Hours) 
  • CD402 (3) 
  • CD404 (3) 
  • CD413 (3) 
  • CD464 (1) 
  • CD502/CD525 (3)
  • Elective (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours) 
  • CD390 (3) 
  • CD470 (3)
  • CD484 (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • Elective (3) 

Clinical Practicum

Undergraduate majors in communication disorders are required to complete one semester of on-campus clinical practicum. One credit hour of this enrolled class consists of clinical seminars conducted during the weekly clinic meeting. These meetings cover important clinical and professional issues.

Center for Speech and Hearing

The Center for Speech and Hearing provides comprehensive diagnostic and intervention services for communication disorders for all ages. Our services are available to the general public.

Become a Redhawk.

Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

Southeast Missouri State University is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, civil, positive and respectful learning, living, and working environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors, free from harassment or discrimination in any form. Through this policy, the University provides means to address discrimination, discriminatory harassment, sexual harassment that does not fall within the scope of the University’s jurisdiction under Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, and related misconduct. The primary goals of this policy are to prevent discrimination and harassment, to provide for prompt and appropriate remedial action to be taken to address to end such discrimination and harassment when it occurs, and to prevent its recurrence.

This policy prohibiting discrimination and harassment applies to all members of the University community, and to discrimination and harassment based on any classification protected by this policy and applicable law, including race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Discrimination or harassment by members of the University community based on any of these classifications is reprehensible and will not be tolerated by the University. It subverts the mission of the University and threatens the careers, educational experience, and well-being of students, faculty, and staff.

This policy is intended to be consistent with the academic mission of the University and with the legal requirements of applicable federal and state laws prohibiting harassment or discrimination, including, but not limited to, Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, which prohibits discrimination based on sex/gender in the University’s educational programs and activities, and requires equal and fair treatment based on sex; and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Missouri Human Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam-Era Veterans Readjustment Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and all amendments to the foregoing.

This policy also prohibits retaliation against anyone who asserts a claim of discrimination or harassment, participates in a discrimination or harassment investigation, or otherwise opposes unlawful harassment. Reprisal or retaliation against an individual for making a complaint of discrimination or harassment, or for using or participating in the informal or formal complaint process, is a violation of University policy, and any such action is cause for disciplinary action.

The Assistant to the President for Equity & Diversity is responsible for maintaining operating procedures related to this policy.

Location
Office Location
Grauel 112
Mailing Address

One University Plaza, MS 2600
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701