Communications Sciences and Disorders

The mission of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (COSD) is to develop professionals who are ethical, knowledgeable, skillful, and capable of working independently and in collaboration with clients, families, and other professionals. The commitment of the department to this mission is reflected in the undergraduate liberal arts and sciences requirements; in the academic coursework in normal and abnormal development and behavior across the human life span; in coursework that engenders awareness of issues in culturally diverse populations; in human communication disorders, and in diagnostic and treatment methodologies; in clinical practicum requirements; and in coursework teaching research skills that support lifelong learning.

The professional practice of Speech-Language Pathology and/or Audiology requires a graduate degree from an accredited program. Individuals applying for national certification and state licensure must hold a master’s (or Doctoral) degree in the appropriate area of study, meet specific requirements in course work, practicum, and professional experience, and pass a national examination.

COSD offers an accredited graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology and a pre-professional undergraduate program. COSD offers a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. The undergraduate program requires four academic years. Students wishing to pursue a bachelor’s degree in COSD enter the Waldron College of Health and Human Services  as Pre-COSD  majors. In their first two years, students typically complete their Core Curriculum requirements. As junior and senior COSD majors, students complete major and related courses, other degree requirements, and elective courses.

In order to be admitted as COSD majors and to take most major requirements, students must have junior class standing (completion of 56 semester credit hours) and have earned an overall grade point average of 2.8.

In the last year of undergraduate study, students apply to graduate programs in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology. Completion of an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (COSD) does not guarantee acceptance into a graduate program. Admission into graduate programs is competitive. Graduate school admission requirements and procedures are available in the on-line version of the Radford University Graduate Catalog.