Prerequisite Courses

The Department of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology does not offer prerequisite courses in communication sciences and disorders. Individuals applying to the department's degree curriculum without an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders must fulfill prerequisite course requirements of specific types. The courses listed below are descriptions of the 15 credits in communication sciences and disorders needed to apply as a matriculate student. Prospective applicants may take the same type of courses to those described below at any other accredited institution. A coursegrade of B or better is required for all pre-requisite courses. When applying to the Department of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology, applicants must ensure each foundation course carries at least a 3-credit load. Two credit courses will only partially fulfill the requirement. See the table at the bottom of this page for course equivalents at other CUNY schools.

The 15 credits of pre-requisite coursework in Communication Sciences and Disorders are:

Introduction to Language Science (3 credits)
An introduction to the nature of language and communication. Topics include components of the linguistic system, relationship between verbal and non-verbal communication, and language acquisition across the life span. [Note: Introduction to Language Science is the same as Language Development or Language Acquisition.] 

Phonetics of American English (3 credits)
Phonetic features of oral American English and dialectal variations of American English and non-native English speech.

Anatomy and Physiology (3 credits)
An overview of the structure of speech and the basic mechanisms involved in the production of speech sounds; a foundation for a more in-depth study of speech science and its application to clinical practice in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; Structure and organization of the ventilatory, laryngeal, supralaryngeal and orofacial mechanisms; issues in basic speech acoustics and perception.

Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology (3 credits)
Introduction to organic and behavioral correlates of human communication, its development and disorders. The influence of culture, heritage, and socioeconomic status on the disorders of voice, articulation, fluency, and language.

Introduction to Audiology (3 credits)
An overview of the field of Audiology inclusive of acoustics, anatomy and physiology of the ear, and measurement of disorders. Coursework reviews etiologies and pathologies of hearing disorders, measurement of hearing loss and how hearing loss affects communication and the development of language.

In addition to the 15 credits of prerequisite communication sciences and disorders courses listed above, applicants must also fulfill the following requirements at either an undergraduate and/or graduate level with a B or better in each course: English (6 credits), social science (6 credits), biological science (3 credits - no lab necessary), physical science (3 credits - no lab necessary), statistics (3 credits), US History or US Political Science (3 credits), Arts (3 credits), and non-English language (3 credits) requirements.

Advanced placement (A.P.) credits are accepted so long as the credits are on the college transcript.
College Level Examination Program (C.L.E.P.) are not accepted by the department.

Acceptable courses in biological sciences should emphasize a content area related to human or animal sciences (e.g., biology, human anatomy and physiology, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, human genetics, veterinary science). Acceptable courses in physical sciences should include physics or chemistry. Acceptable courses in social/behavioral sciences should include psychology, sociology, anthropology, or public health. A stand-alone course in statistics is required. Research methodology courses in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) may not be used to satisfy the statistics requirement. A course in biological and physical sciences specifically related to CSD may not be applied for certification purposes to this category unless the course fulfills a university requirement in one of these areas. (from ASHA certifcation Standard IV-A)