Undergraduate Information
This degree is a pre-professional program that provides students with basic knowledge of human communication and communicative disorders in preparation for graduate study in audiology, speech-language pathology, speech and hearing science, or related health science or communication fields.
In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission to the university, applicants should have:
- Standing in the upper third of their high school class
- A grade point average of approximately 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Evidence of a strong background in science and mathematics
- A combined SAT score of approximately 1100 or higher
Academic Requirements
The academic requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders include the following:
1. Restrictive Major Requirement (RMR).
To remain in the major or to transfer into the major, students must complete the following prerequisite courses with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least a 3.0 across the eight courses and a minimum grade of "C" or better in each course; CSD 101, CSD 106, WRT 1XX, MAT 1XX, CSD 203, CSD 207, ENG230/LIN230, and WRT 2XX. Students may not use more than a total of three repeats across the CSD courses to satisfy RMR (CSD101, CSD106, CSD 203, and CSD 207).
2. Letter Grade Requirement
Grades of "C-", "D", or "F" earned in major CSD courses must be raised to a "C" or better. A major course in which a student earns a grade of "C-", "D", or "F" must be repeated the next time the course is offered.
3. GPA Requirement
A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and a 2.5 GPA in the major courses are required for all communication sciences and disorders majors to complete the degree program.
The course requirements for the BA are divided into five areas as follows:
A total of 120 semester hours of coursework is needed for graduation.
| Requirements | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| General | 48 |
| Foreign Language/Culture | 12 -15 |
|
Related Areas:
|
18 |
|
Communication Sciences and Disorders |
33 |
| Electives | 9-16 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I enter the program if I don't meet admission requirements as an incoming first-year
students?
Yes. The department accepts WCU students who wish to transfer into the major from another major or students who have not yet declared a major. To transfer into the major, internal transfer students are required to meet the Restrictive Major Requirement (see description above) before being accepted into the department as a major.
In addition to internal transfer students, the department also accepts students who wish to transfer into the major from another college or university. External transfer students must apply for admission to the major through the university admissions office. The Restrictive Major Requirement that applies to internal transfer students also applies to external transfer students.
Can I work as a speech-language pathologist once I get my B.A. degree?
No. The bachelor's degree is a pre-professional degree and will not qualify you for a position as a speech-language pathologist (SLP). You will need to complete a master's degree program to work in the profession.
Are there minimum grade restrictions that I must meet?
Yes. To remain in or to transfer into the major, you must meet the Restrictive Major Requirement (see description above). As you continue through the program, you must also meet the Letter Grade Requirement (see description above). To graduate, you must maintain a grade point average (GPA) of at least a 2.5 overall and in your major courses to qualify for the degree. In reality, you will need a much higher GPA since admission to graduate programs is very competitive.
Who should I call if I have questions about admission to the program?
Please call the University Admissions Office at: 610-436-3411. You can also contact the department directly at: 610-436-3401.
Program Outcomes
What are the average GPA scores of students who graduate and complete the degree requirements for the B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders?
Below are the statistics for students who graduate:
| Type of Score | Scores |
|---|---|
| Average Undergraduate Cumulative GPA | 3.66 |
| Range of GPA Scores | 3.1-4.0 |
| Standard Deviation | 0.21 |