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 the professions of speech-language
pathology, audiology, and related fields. 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 coursework in biological and physical sciences, mathematics
or statistics, behavioral and/or social sciences, basic normal communication and
swallowing 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 and other
requirements 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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