Additional Program Information
Communication Disorders
The Undergraduate Program offers a B.S. degree in communication disorders (CD). This degree is comparable to an undergraduate degree in speech-language pathology/audiology. Upon completion of the degree, graduates demonstrate proficiencies in speech-language pathology, speech and hearing science, and audiology in preparation for graduate study. The major goal of the program is to provide a scientific/clinically based curriculum as preparation for graduate studies. A master’s degree is mandatory as entry level into the profession of speech-language pathology (SLP).* As of 2007, the entry level for Audiology is the doctorate degree). In addition to the professions noted above, the CD undergraduate degree is also useful for students continuing their graduate studies in education, special education, and teachers of the deaf and hearing impaired, psychology, social work, and recreational therapy.
Major Requirements
Students planning to major in communication disorders must demonstrate the following: completion of at least 48 credits of the General Education curriculum with a GPA of at least 2.75; a grade of at least B in ENGL 112 or its equivalent; and a grade of at least B in COMM 110 . Students must complete six credits of a foreign language (six credits can be in American Sign Language), BIOL 110 - Introduction to Human Biology and one of the following courses (PHYS 110 , CHEM 110 ) as part of their General Education requirements. In addition, students must complete BHSC 370 - Stats Socl/Behv Sciences which is typically taken in senior year.
Proficiency in oral and written communication will be assessed during the student’s first semester. Basic competencies are continuously assessed throughout the student’s tenure as a communication disorders major. Competency in both oral and written communication is required in order to obtain a degree in communication disorders. Students who require additional assistance in oral and written communication skills may be directed to the appropriate sources including courses, the Center for Academic Excellence and Innovation or the Speech and Hearing Center.
Students planning to enter the major should contact the Mercy University Communication Disorders Undergraduate Coordinator at 914-674-7739 for an eligibility interview. All students are assigned a faculty advisor in Communication Disorders and are required to see the advisor each semester. To maintain satisfactory academic standing as a major, students need to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 in the major. A student who receives a grade below C in any major course will be required to repeat the course in order to graduate. Students may repeat a major course once. Any exceptions to Department guidelines require approval by the program director.
All students who are accepted to the program must present proof of a current physical (within the past year), MMR, PPD, Hepatitis B and Meningitis immunization. Proof of immunization is to be given prior to enrollment in CMDS 498 .
Graduate Studies
Undergraduate Communication Disorders majors planning to pursue graduate study in speech-language pathology at Mercy University have the option of early admissions. Early Admissions candidates must be enrolled in the undergraduate Communication Disorders program.
Eligible candidates have earned at least 90 baccalaureate credits, with 18 or more credits in Communication Disorders courses.
Requirements include:
- Positive recommendations from Communication Disorders faculty
- An overall GPA of 3.2 or higher
- A GPA of 3.2 or higher in at least 4 of the 6 designated prerequisite courses: CMDS 258 Intro Communication Disorders , CMDS 257 Introduction to Audiology , CMDS 264 Normal Speech/Lang Development , CMDS 240 Phonetics , CMDS 270 Speech & Hearing Science , CMDS 256 Anat/Phys Speech/Hear Mechanism .
Consistent with the normal admissions requirements, early admissions applicants must apply to the graduate Communication Disorders program through CSDCAS and submit the required supporting documents (resume, letters of recommendations from Communication Disorders faculty, official transcripts). GRE scores are optional.
Students awarded early admission are subject to the same policies that pertain to other admitted students, which includes completion of the baccalaureate degree before starting the graduate Communication Disorders program. Early admissions decisions will be rescinded if the student’s overall GPA falls below 3.2 after being accepted.
The Communication Disorders Minor
15 Credits
Students seeking a Minor in Communication Disorders should coordinate their plan of study under the guidance of their PACT mentor and the CMDS Undergraduate Coordinator.
The Communication Minor is designed for students seeking a foundation in communication, speech, language and hearing health, and child development. Students who elect to minor in Communication Disorders must complete COMM 110 and ENGL 112 with a minimum grade of B.
The following five courses are required to complete the minor:
