Program Overview:
The undergraduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders at The College of Saint Rose is designed to empower students with the knowledge, understanding, skills, and professional characteristics necessary to succeed in graduate studies in communication sciences and disorders or a related field and, ultimately, to effectively serve individuals with communication-related disorders and differences. The following competencies reflect the primary purpose of this program.
Upon graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, the students will:
- be prepared for graduate studies in communication sciences and disorders and/or related disciplines
- understand basic human communication and swallowing processes
- integrate liberal arts and sciences education with the program’s pre-professional, clinical education
- understand typical, disordered, delayed, and different communication systems and behaviors across the lifespan, within a framework of respect for cultural diversity
- demonstrate basic clinical skills that are consistent with evidence-based practice (EBP) and inter-professional collaboration
- assimilate classroom instruction and clinical decision-making in preparation for clinical work
- understand professional issues that face practitioners in the communication sciences and disorders
- demonstrate professional attributes consistent with the department’s clinical philosophy
- be able to use the preparation acquired in their Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) major as a foundation for work or further study in other disciplines.
Program requirements can be applied toward New York State Certification as a Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities once a degree has been granted by an accredited graduate program in communication sciences and disorders. They can also be applied toward New York State license and a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) in speech-language pathology upon completion of an appropriate graduate program. Undergraduate students are required to attend program meetings and to consult regularly with their advisors to be assured that their curriculum meets ASHA requirements as well as those of the College.
Undergraduate CSD majors must earn an minimum of C+ in all courses with a CSD prefix, including CSD 370, as well as EDU 300, EPY 350, EPY 244, EPY 370, and SED 450; and maintain a 2.75 index in the major. Students are permitted to repeat an academic course only once, and a maximum of two academic courses may be repeated in the major. However, students earning two grades of F in the major will be dismissed from the CSD program. Courses within the major that are repeated must be completed at The College of Saint Rose. Students repeating a pre-requisite course may not take the next course in the sequence until the pre-requisite has been successfully completed. Students who earn a grade of Incomplete (I) in a clinical practicum must repeat the clinical experience and earn a grade of Pass (P). Students may not count the clinical clock hours or the academic hours for which they receive an unsatisfactory grade. Please refer to the CSD undergraduate program manual for additional policies and procedures for successful completion of the program.
As part of the School of Education, the department takes part in the Professional Qualities Assessment (PQA) process, which is consistent with the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department’s belief that interpersonal communication and professionalism are key attributes for professional practice in communication disorders. Information about the PQA process will be provided to students during their first semester of study. In addition, the Communication Sciences and Disorders program is a competency-based program. Therefore, students will be involved in a sequence of field experiences, many of which are off campus. The sequence of required fieldwork is as follows:
Clinical Methods (CSD 360)
Supervised Observation (CSD 360L)
Supervised Clinical Practicum (CSD 370)
Clinical Practicum Seminar (CSD 371)
Program Contacts:
Dr. James Feeney
Chair, Communication Sciences and Disorders Department
Email: feeneyj@strose.edu
Program Webpage: Communication Sciences & Disorders, BS
Program Requirements:
Major in Communication Sciences and Disorders (73-74 credits)
EPY 370: Students can also take EPY 350 Educational Psychology (3 credits) and CSC 204 Educational Computing (3 credits) in the Liberal Education Core to satisfy this requirement.
*Students should consult with their advisor in order to select a 3 credit course in a physical science that will satisfy the above degree requirement.
All Communication Sciences and Disorders majors must meet the Liberal Education Core requirements of the College, including two courses in non-English language (the two courses do not need to be in the same language). These courses will satisfy the Study of Foreign Language and Further Disciplinary Studies requirements.
There are opportunities for students to engage in undergraduate research, including but not limited to, CSD 495: Directed Research in CSD and CSD 380: Topics in CSD.
Internship/Field Experiences/Service:
The Communication Sciences and Disorders program is a competency-based program. Therefore, students will be involved in a sequence of field experiences, most of which are off campus. The sequence of required fieldwork is as follows:
Clinical Methods (CSD 360)
This course covers the theoretical bases for treatment of individuals with communication disorders and procedures for implementing change within a therapy session. Ethical behavior, professional responsibility, and knowledge of evidence-based practice are examined in relation to the practice of speech-language pathology. Principles and techniques are taught for writing treatment plans, Individual Education Plans, behavioral objectives, lesson plans, reports and collecting data. Students participate in mock therapy sessions in class and evaluate their use of teaching procedures. Course content includes such topics as curriculum-based treatment, consultation and collaboration, family intervention, group treatment and issues related to diverse populations. The development of writing skills is emphasized over the course of the semester. Undergraduate students register for this 3 credit course and the 1 credit lab. Prerequisites: CSD 100, CSD 219, CSD 345. Fall, Spring, Summer
Clinical Supervised Observation Lab (CSD 360L)
This course will provide students with 25 supervised observation hours of diagnostic and therapy sessions with clients who have speech, language and/or hearing disorders. Fall, Spring, Summer
Undergraduate students register for this 1 credit lab, plus the 3 credit CSD 360 course. Graduate students completing pre-requisite observation hours register for this 1 credit lab.
Supervised Clinical Practicum (CSD 370)
This is a clinical experience taken in either the fall or spring semester in your junior or senior year. Students may accrue clinical hours by providing direct service to clients under the supervision of an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist. Participation in a seminar is required. Failure to accept or fulfill an obligation to an assigned clinic may be cause for dismissal from the program. Applications for placement are due at the Winkler Center according to specified deadlines. Prerequisite: CSD 360. Co-Requisite: CSD 371. Fall and Spring.
Culminating Academic Experiences:
Required Courses:
Professional Accreditation:
The College of Saint Rose, sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province, is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State. All of its degrees and programs are registered and its professional programs fully approved by the Board of Regents through the New York State Education Department.
The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.msche.org/
The professional education programs at The College of Saint Rose are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), recognized by their respective Program Associations and registered with the New York State Education Department.
Career Opportunities and Graduate Study:
With a bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders, students find employment in fields related to education, health care and communications. However, graduates must earn a master's degree in order to become a licensed, nationally certified speech-language pathologist. Students who complete the master's degree program at Saint Rose are able to find employment immediately after graduation. For specific data, please see Frequently Asked Questions.
As a Saint Rose graduate in Communication Sciences & Disorders, you will be well prepared to pursue graduate study. Many students who receive their bachelor's degrees from Saint Rose elect to apply to the College's well-regarded master's program in Communication Sciences & Disorders, where they can continue to study with the expert faculty that they have come to regard as mentors. The graduate program, leading to the Master of Science in Education degree, satisfies the academic and clinical requirements for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC), New York state licensure and New York state teaching certification. The professional education programs at The College of Saint Rose are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), recognized by their respective Program Associations and registered with the New York State Education Department.
Saint Rose Communication Sciences & Disorders undergraduates who have chosen to pursue graduate study at other institutions have been accepted to a variety of prestigious graduate programs. In fact, some Saint Rose graduates report being placed in advanced level master's study due to their thorough undergraduate preparation at Saint Rose.
Dual Degree Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD)
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD), which is part of the Lally School of Education, currently offers both separate and combined B.S. and M.S. degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Completion of the M.S. degree leads to certification as a Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities, as well as eligibility for NY State license and the certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
The department was approved in 2006 to offer a combined undergraduate/graduate dual degree program in CSD for incoming freshman as part of an ongoing effort to recruit and retain highly motivated and scholarly students who have the potential to become effective and compassionate speech-language pathologists. The program, detailed below, accelerates movement through the bachelor’s degree by one semester.
Students who are accepted into the combined, dual degree program do not receive a bachelor’s degree when undergraduate coursework is complete; rather, both the bachelor and master’s degrees are awarded when all graduate requirements are completed. Students who are accepted into the dual degree program as undergraduates, and who meet all requirements for advancement, are guaranteed acceptance into the graduate program. Also, the financial aid package provided as freshmen is maintained throughout the program.
Students who are accepted into the dual degree program will take all of the CSD classes that are required in the traditional, separate degree programs, will meet all liberal arts core requirements, and will meet all teacher certification requirements. The total undergraduate credits equal 114; 48 are CSD credits, 12 are non-CSD credits, 41 are Liberal Education Requirements, and 13 are required for teacher certification. Graduate credits total 56.
The undergraduate portion of this program is completed in seven regular semesters (no summer semesters required); the graduate portion of this program is typically completed in five to six semesters (which may or may not include summer semesters). Because a full schedule of graduate course offerings is available during summer semesters, students typically include summer semesters as part of their schedule. Students in this program must maintain a minimum grade of B in all required classes in order to remain in this program. Students who do not meet the stated standards of the dual degree program will be re-assigned to the traditional CSD bachelor's degree program.
Students who transfer in AP credits will have additional opportunities to take non-CSD courses on the undergraduate level. Students may not accelerate through the program beyond that provided by the sequence and may not begin their clinical placement early.
Applications to the dual degree program will be reviewed by the CSD admissions committee (which also reviews graduate applications). Students should approximate the following academic profile: 1200 combined SAT score, high school average of 92 in English and Science, and a strong letter of recommendation. An on campus interview is also required. The program is not available to transfer students.
Requirement for Advancement in Dual Degree
- No CSD grade less than a B
- A “pass” in their clinical placement
- Acceptable performance on the Professional Qualities Assessment (PQA) at the end of the sophomore year.
- Successful completion of an interview and a spontaneous writing sample during the first semester of study.
- Meetings with the academic advisor at least once each semester.
Note: Students who do not meet the stated standards of the dual degree program will be re-assigned to the traditional undergraduate program.
Admissions and Financial Aid Information:
The Undergraduate Admissions Office begins review of First-Year applications each fall in late September for the following Fall. Students are encouraged to submit a complete application as early as October. The Admissions Team will return a decision on complete applications within just three weeks. The College awards academic scholarships at the same time.
What Makes an Application Complete
- Online or Paper application (fee waived for all applicants!)
- Official High School Transcripts
- Official Transcripts for any College Level Courses
- SAT or ACT scores (See Test Optional FAQ's)
- Letter of Recommendation from a Counselor or Teacher
- Essay or Graded Paper
- Applicants may also apply via the Common Application Online.
- Art applicants are required to complete a portfolio review.
- Music applicants are required to complete an audition.
Admissions contact information (telephone number, admissions web pages)
Scholarships and Financial Aid
See Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid section for more information.
The Bottom Line
The total cost of The College of Saint Rose (including tuition, fees, room and board) is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast, and we award more than $34 million in Saint Rose scholarships, grants and financial aid.
Take a look at our bottom line, and view a cost comparison with a four-year public institution.
More about Financial Aid
Financial Aid is defined as any grant, scholarship, loan, or employment opportunity given with the express purpose of assisting you with education-related expenses to make your education affordable. Financial Aid is awarded on the basis of student need and the availability of funds.
The Admission and Financial Aid teams have designed a Guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid to help prospective students and families get to the bottom line and find that The College of Saint Rose is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast--while maintaining powerful academic opportunities.
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