The study of Communication Sciences and Disorders involves the examination of
human communication, its development and disorders. The ability to communicate
may be our most distinctive characteristic as a species. Human communication is
essential to learning, work and social interaction. Communication disorders
affect the way people talk and understand. These disorders range from simple
sound substitutions to total impairment of the ability to use language. Impaired
communication can affect every aspect of a person’s life. Students who study
communication sciences acquire a broad general background relevant to careers or
graduate study in such fields as speech-language pathology, audiology,
education, and health care.
The undergraduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the
University of Maine provides a general education in speech, language, and
hearing sciences. In addition it prepares students for graduate study in a
variety of fields and equips majors with pre-professional competencies that
should enable them to undertake master’s study recommended for entrance to the
professions of speech-language pathology and audiology. The Master’s program in
Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Maine is accredited by
the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
The Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Majors must complete three credits in mathematics or statistics, three credits
in the biological/physical sciences, six credits in the behavioral and/or social
sciences, fifteen credits in basic normal communication processes and nine
credits in non-departmental cognate areas including PSY 100. A list of
acceptable courses is available from the Department. Students taking department
courses to satisfy requirements within the Communication Sciences and Disorders
major must have a C (2.0) or better in each course.
Students also are required to complete nine semester credits in the
following areas (at least one course in two of the three areas):
- Statistics and computer science,
- Writing, and
- Language and critical thinking
These nine credits help students develop useful tools for studying
communication behaviors. A list of specific courses that may be used to
satisfy this requirement is available at the department office in Dunn Hall,
Room 336.
All students in Communication Sciences and Disorders are expected to take
advantage of the laboratory and service opportunities provided through the
department’s scientific laboratories as well as through the Conley Speech and
Hearing Center. The scientific laboratories provide opportunities for research
under faculty supervision, and the Conley Speech and Hearing Center provides
training opportunities for those preparing for careers as speech-language
clinicians and provides services for persons who are speech, language, or
hearing impaired.
The University of Maine The University of Maine
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