Catalog Home


Catalog Search


Colleges and Schools

Undergraduate Catalog
1999-2001


Department of
Communication Disorders
Major Degree Plans

General Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Disorders Suggested Program
Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders Suggested Program

Chair: Lynn S. Bliss

The mission of the Department of Communication Disorders (COMD) is to advance the understanding of normal and disordered speech, language and hearing through teaching, scholarship and service to the community. We offer pre-professional training in communication disorders for undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students, professional training for graduate students, and continuing education opportunities for professionals. The Department fosters an environment that encourages and supports students and faculty to participate in scientific inquiry regarding normal and impaired communication processes. The goal of the service component is to provide high quality speech, language and hearing services to the community which are available to individuals from all cultures, ages, and abilities on the University of Houston campus and at outreach centers.

A student with a major in Communication Disorders is preparing for a career as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist. Professional speech-language pathologists and audiologists provide diagnostic and therapeutic services to individuals who present a variety of communication disorders. For example, they treat children and adults who stutter, have articulation disorders, have language problems, have had a stroke, have lost their voice, or have a loss of hearing abilities. These diagnostic and therapeutic services are performed in a variety of settings including public schools, community clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and private practices.

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders

The Department of Communication Disorders offers a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in communication disorders (speech-language pathology and audiology). A baccalaureate degree or equivalent semester hours of approved courses in communication disorders must be completed in order to enter a master's degree program. Also, the master's degree is required for professional certification and membership in the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The department offers a Master of Arts degree in communication disorders for speech-language pathology only. For more information about admissions to the graduate program, consult with the Chair of the department.

General Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree

In addition to successful completion of the university core requirements and HFAC college requirements, students must:

  1. Complete 48 semester hours for the major consisting of the following specific courses:

    1. COMD 1333, 2338, 2339, 2376, 3371, 3381, 3383, 4384, 4385, and 4389.

    2. COMD 2350, COMM 2300 or PSYC 2301.

    3. Normal Communication Process course (3 hrs); See approved list in department.

    4. CUIN 2315 or OPTO 1300.

    5. COMM 4303.

    6. PSYC 3360 and PSYC 3361.

  2. All COMD majors will be advised by COMD undergraduate faculty advisor(s).

  3. All COMD courses must be completed with a grade no lower than C. If a C- or lower grade is earned in any COMD course (including approved alternates for COMD 2350), that course must be repeated and passed with a grade of C or better before enrollment will be allowed in any other COMD course for which the C- graded course is a prerequisite.

    1. A COMD course may be repeated only once regardless of the grade earned. In addition, only a total of two courses can be repeated.

    2. Continuance in the major after two C- or lower grades in COMD courses will be granted only on successful petition to the COMD faculty. Further enrollment will not be allowed after receipt of a third C- or below grade in a COMD course.

    3. Enrollment in COMD 4389 requires a grade point average of 2.50 in the major and completion of the following courses: COMD 1333, 2338, 2339, 2376, 3371, and 3383. Concurrent enrollment in COMD 4389 and 3371 or 3383 will be allowed with instructor permission. Student must have filed a degree plan before enrollment in COMD 4389.

  4. Students who register for advanced classes in COMD without the prerequisites will be dropped by the instructor. Neither the department nor the instructor will be responsible for tuition refunds.

  5. Courses in the major that are seven or more years old may not count toward a degree whether taken at the University of Houston or transferred to the University of Houston. A minimum of twelve hours of advanced COMD courses must be taken in residence in the department.

  6. All COMD majors must pass a speech, voice, and language proficiency test.

  7. All students should file a degree plan through the COMD department as soon as minimum requirements are met. Students should file a degree plan no later than the semester before they plan to graduate. Minimum requirements to file a degree plan includes the following:

    1. Have junior standing (60 or more semester hours) with at least a 2.00 grade point average.

    2. Have completed all of the core curriculum requirements in communication and mathematics, and at least three (3) semester hours in each core area of natural science, humanities, and social/behavioral sciences.

    3. Have completed the lower level COMD courses (including approved alternatives for COMD 2350) with at least a 2.50 grade point average.

    The communication disorders academic program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA), of the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA).

    Bachelor of Arts in Communication Disorders Suggested Program

    Courses for the core curriculum and the requirements of the College of Humanities, Fine Arts, and Communication must be selected from approved lists. Refer to the appropriate sections of this catalog. To fulfill degree requirements, students must complete a minimum of 36 hours at the advanced levels (3000 and 4000).

    First Year

    Fall Semester Hours
    ENGL 1303 Freshman Composition I 3
    COMD 1333 Introduction to Speech Pathology and Language Disorders 3
    HIST 1376 or 1377 The United States to 1877 3
    MATH 1310 College Algebra 3
    PSYC 1300 Introducation to Psychology 3
      Total 15
    Spring Semester   Hours
    ENGL 1304 Freshman Composition II 3
    POLS 1336 U.S. and Texas Constitutions and Politics 3
      Mathematics/Reasoning Core Course 3
      Natural Science Core Course 3
      Normal Communication Process Course 3
      Total 15

    Second Year

    Fall Semester   Hours
    COMD 2339 Speech, Hearing, and Language Development of the Normal Child 3
    OPTO 1300 Introduction to Health Professions  
      or  
    CUIN 2315 The Reading Process 3
      Humanities Core Course 3
      Natural Science Core Course 3
      Visual/Performing Arts Core Course 3
      Total 15

    Spring Semester   Hours
    COMD 2338 Phonetics 3
    COMD 2376 Anatomy and Physiology of the Vocal and Aural Mechanisms 3
    COMD 2350/
    COMM 2300
    		 Survey and Research Methods  
      or  
    PSYC 3401 Introduction to Methods in Psychology 3-4
    HIST 1378 or 1379 The United States since 1877 3
    POLS 1337 Government: Congress, President and Courts 3
      Total 16-17

    Third Year

    Fall Semester   Hours
    COMD 3371 Articulation Disorders 3
    COMD 4385 Speech and Hearing Systems 3
      Fine Arts Course 3
      Foreign Language (1000 level) 3-5
      Humanities Core Course 3
      Total 15-17

    Spring Semester   Hours
    COMD 3381 Audiometry 3
    COMD 3383 Language Disorders 3
    PSYC 3360 Child Development 3
      Foreign Language (1000 level) 3-5
      HFAC Requirement 3
      Total 15-17

    Fourth Year

    Fall Semester   Hours
      Elective 3
    COMD 4384 Disorders of Graphic Language and Learning Disabilities 3
      Foreign Language (2000 level) 3
      Elective (3000 or 4000 Level) 3
      HFAC Requirement 3
      Total 15

    Spring Semester   Hours
    COMM 4303 Communication Laws and Ethics 3
    COMD 4389 Clinical Procedures 3
    PSYC 3361 Psychology of Adolescence 3
      Foreign Language (2000 level) 3
      HFAC Requirement 3
      Total 15

    Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders Suggested Program

    Courses for the core curriculum and the requirements of the College of Humanities, Fine Arts, and Communication must be selected from approved lists. Refer to the appropriate sections of this catalog. To fulfill degree requirements, students must complete a minimum of 36 hours at the advanced levels (3000 and 4000).

    Fall Semester   Hours
    COMD 1333 Introduction to Speech Pathology and Language Disorders 3
    ENGL 1303 Freshman Composition I 3
    MATH 1310 College Algebra 3
    OPTO 1300 Introduction to Health Professions  
      or  
    CUIN 2315 The Reading Process 3
    HIST 1376 or 1377 The United States to 1877 3
      Total 15

    Spring Semester   Hours
    ENGL 1304 Freshman Composition II 3
    HIST 1378 or 1379 The United States since 1877 3
    POLS 1336 U.S. and Texas Constitutions and Politics 3
      Mathematics/Reasoning Core Course 3
      Normal Communication Process Course 3
      Total 15

    Second Year

    Fall Semester   Hours
    COMD 2339 Speech, Hearing, and Language Development of the Normal Child 3
    PSYC 1300 Introduction to Psychology 3
      Humanities Core Course 3
      Natural Science Core Course (with lab) 4
      Visual/Performing Arts Course 3
      Total 16

    Spring Semester   Hours
    COMD 2338 Phonetics 3
    COMD 2350/COMM 2300 Survey and Research Methods  
      or  
    PSYC 3401 Introduction to Methods in Psychology 3
    COMD 2376 Anatomy and Physiology of the Vocal and Aural Mechanisms 3
    POLS 1337 U.S. Government:Congress, President and Courts 3
      Natural Science Core Course (with lab) 4
      Total 16-17

    Third Year

    Fall Semester   Hours
    COMD 3371 Articulation Disorders 3
    COMD 4385 Speech and Hearing Systems 3
    PSYC 3360 Child Development 3
      Humanities Core Course 3
      Mathematics/Reasoning Core Course 3
      Total 15

    Spring Semester   Hours
    COMD 3381 Audiometry 3
    COMD 3383 Language Disorders 3
    PSYC 3361 Psychology of Adolescence
    (Social Sciences Core Course)    		 3
      Natural Science Core Course 3
      Visual/Performing Arts Core Course 3
      Total 15

    Fourth Year

    Fall Semester   Hours
    COMD 4384 Disorders of Graphic Language and Learning Disabilities 3
      Mathematics/Reasoning Core Course 3
      Elective (3000 or 4000 Level) 3
      HFAC Requirement 3
      Total 12

    Spring Semester   Hours
    COMM 4303 Communication Laws and Ethics 3
    COMD 4389 Clinical Procedures 3
      HFAC Requirement 3
      Natural Science Course 3
      Total 15

    Files Archived: October, 2001

    For applications and admissions information: admissions@uh.edu

    Undergraduate Catalog Online Disclaimer
    Undergraduate Catalog Online at University of Houston
    Comments to: academics@uh.edu