Courses

Course Enrollment Procedures

Students are expected to abide by published course prerequisites as published in the Schedule of Courses. Students will be allowed to enroll conditionally in courses that require prerequisites if, based on their current official enrollment, they will satisfy these course requirements prior to the time courses requiring prerequisites begin.

Students wishing to take a course for which they do not have the prerequisites should consult with their assigned CSD Academic Adviser about the appropriateness of their request. If you do not have an assigned CSD Academic Adviser, please email csdinfo@psu.edu. 

An exception to published prerequisites will be considered by requesting a prerequisite override in LionPATH (download instructions). Requests are evaluated in consultation with the academic adviser and faculty member teaching the course. If approved, the student will be notified and will complete enrollment via LionPATH.

Please review the College of Health and Human Development procedures on course disenrollment for students who fail to successfully complete the enforced prerequisites.

TA, Research, and Independent Study Credits

• CSD 296: CSD Teaching Assistant Credit Request Form
• CSD 494: Undergraduate Research Credit Request Form
• CSD 494H: Honors Thesis Credit Request Form
• CSD 496: Independent Study Credit Request Form

General Education Suggestions

GQ-Quantification

Students majoring in CSD are encouraged to choose STAT 200 (4 cr) from the statistics course list of STAT 200 (4 cr), EDPSY 101 (3 cr), or PSYCH 200 (3 cr).

We have found that most graduate programs in CSD require the content covered in the 4 credit STAT 200 course and that students electing to take EDPSY 101 or PSYCH 200 may need to later take STAT 200 in order to meet graduate school prerequisites. 

Some graduate schools require students to take the GRE for admissions, and in those cases, we recommend taking MATH 21: College Algebra I (3 cr) prior to taking the GRE to refresh math concepts that will be tested on the exam.

Students who choose not to take the GRE may select any GQ of interest and can review the math course descriptions for more information. MATH 32: Math for Allied Health Professions and MATH 34: The Mathematics of Money are popular selections for CSD students.

GN-Natural Science

To gain entry into graduate programs in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology, ASHA (but not Penn State) requires a human biological science and a physical science (physics or chemistry), so GN courses should be selected accordingly. Suggested courses include:

Human Biological Science

• BISC 2: Genetics, Ecology and Evolution (3 cr)
• BISC 4: Human Body: Form and Function (3 cr)
• BIOL 133: Genetics and Evolution of the Human Species (3 cr)
• BIOL 155: Introduction to the Biology of Aging (3 cr)

Physical Science

• CHEM 1: Molecular Science (3 cr) - fall only
• CHEM 101: Introductory Chemistry (3 cr) - not offered at University Park
• CHEM 130: Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry (3 cr)
• PHYS 1: The Science of Physics (3 cr) - offered via the DLC for CSD students

GA-Arts and GH-Humanities

Students are free to choose any course of interest in these categories. See the suggested electives list for ideas.

We recommend CI 280: Introduction to Teaching English Language Learners (3 cr) to fulfill GH-Humanities, as this is a required course for future certification as a school SLP.

For students who started prior to Summer 2023, it is strongly recommended that students select 3 credits of Interdomain courses in each of these categories to best maximize the use of required credits.

GHW-Health and Wellness

Students are free to choose any course of interest in this category. See the suggested electives list for ideas.

A popular selection is CSD 100 (GHW; US): Preventing Vocal Abuse, Misuse, and Disorders (3 cr) which is offered online every summer, fall and spring semester via the World Campus. Talk to your adviser for instructions on how to schedule this course in the fall or spring semester.

CSD 111 (GHW): Preventing Hearing Loss (3 cr) is another popular selection at University Park, and is offered as an asynchronous web course.

Integrative Studies/Interdomain Courses

Students are free to choose any course of interest to fulfill this requirement. See the suggested electives list for ideas.

For students who started prior to Summer 2023, it is strongly recommended that they select courses that encompass GN-Natural Science, GA-Arts and/or GH-Humanities to best maximize the use of required credits.

CSD Suggested Electives

The CSD major includes 30-36 credits of electives which allows students to customize their studies to their interests. 

Students may choose any course of interest to fulfill elective credits and are not limited to the selections on this page.

The categories below are offered as suggestions and have been curated to emphasize the skills and knowledge needed to be successful as speech-language pathologists and audiologists. 

Students are advised to check prerequisites for all courses.

Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology

Many graduate programs now require coursework that is focused on neurology and neural bases of communication. The list of courses below may fulfill this requirement though final approval is always at the discretion of the graduate school to which you are applying.

• CSD 431: Neuroanatomical and Neurophysiological Foundations of Communication Disabilities (3 cr) – spring only
• PSYCH 260/BBH 203: Neurological Bases of Human Behavior (3 cr)
• PSYCH 455: Cognitive Neuroscience (3 cr)

Linguistics

A common graduate school prerequisite is coursework in linguistics. The list of courses below may fulfill this requirement though final approval is always at the discretion of the graduate school to which you are applying.

• APLNG 200 (GH; IL): Introduction to Language, Culture, and Social Interaction (3 cr)
• APLNG 290N (GH/GS): Critical Approaches to Applied Linguistics (3 cr)
• LING 1 (GS; US, IL): Language, Life and Society (3 cr)
• LING 100 (GS): Foundations of Linguistics (3 cr)
• LING 429/PSYCH 426: Language and Thought (3 cr)
• LING/PSYCH 457: Psychology of Language (3 cr)

Personal and Professional Development

These courses will help you develop as a professional working in the field of communication sciences and disorders

• APLNG 260 (GH/GS): Language and Technology (3 cr)
• CSD 100 (GHW): Preventing Vocal Abuse, Misuse, and Disorders (3 cr)
• CSD 111 (GHW): Preventing Hearing Loss (3 cr)
• CSD 250: Professional Issues in CSD (2 cr)
• CSD 251: Guided Observation Hours (1 cr)
• CSD 495B: Audiology Practicum (3 cr)
• CSD 497: Special Topics such as Research Principles in CSD, Theory of LangDev, etc. (3 cr)
• HDFS 101N (GS/GHW): Helping People: Introduction to Understanding Social Problems & How to Help
• HDFS 108N (GS/GHW): Art and Science of Human Flourishing (3 cr)
• HDFS 301: Values and Ethics in Health and Human Development Professions
• HDFS 497: Special Topics such as Mindfulness, Grant Writing, etc. (1 cr)
• HPA 210: Health Care Payment (3 cr)
• PHIL 3 (GH): Ethical Life (3 cr)
• PHIL 103 (GH): Ethics (3 cr)
• PHIL/BIOET 432: Medical and Health Care Ethics (3 cr)
• PHIL/PSYCH/SOC 120N (GS/GH): Knowing Right from Wrong (3 cr)

Teaching English Language Learners

If you are seeking certification as a school speech-language pathologist, you must complete 3 credits focused on the instructional needs of English language learners. The list of courses below may fulfill this requirement though final approval is always at the discretion of the graduate school to which you are applying.

• APLNG 493 (IL): Teaching English as a Second Language (3 cr)
• CI 280 (GH): Introduction to Teaching English Language Learners (3 cr)

American Sign Language

American Sign Language (ASL) is a language that will allow you to better communicate with individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. 

• CSD 218: American Sign Language I (3 cr)
• CSD 318: American Sign Language II (3 cr)
• CSD 418: American Sign Language III (3 cr)
• CSD 428: American Sign Language IV (3 cr)

Diversity Studies

Audiologists and SLPs commonly work with individuals across the lifespan and from various backgrounds, it is imperative to be sensitive to and appreciative of the lived experiences of others.

• AED 225 (GA; US): Diversity, Pedagogy, and Visual Culture (3 cr)
• AFAM 110N (GH/GS; US): Introduction to African American Studies (3 cr)
• AFAM 152 (GH; US): African American History (3 cr)
• AFR/APLNG 230N (GH/GS; IL): Language and Social Justice (3 cr)
• APLNG 220N (GH/GS; IL): Multilingual Lives: Stories of Language and Culture Learning (3 cr)
• BBH 315 (US): Gender and Biobehavioral Health (3 cr)
• CAS 271N (GH/GS; US, IL): Intercultural Communication (3 cr)
• CI 185 (GS): Principles of Social Justice in Education (3 cr)
• CMLIT 101 (GH; US, IL): Race, Gender, and Identity in World Literature (3 cr)
• COMM/WMNST 205 (GS; US): Gender, Diversity and the Media (3 cr)
• ENGL/WMNST 245 (GH; US): Introduction to LGBTQ Studies (3 cr)
• HDFS 254N (GH/GS; US): Reading Our Lives: Understanding Diversity and Human Development through Memoirs (3 cr)
• HDFS 416 (US): Racial and Ethnic Diversity and the American Family (3 cr)
• LTNST 100 (GH; US) Introduction to Latina/o Studies (3 cr)
• PHIL 8 (GH): Gender Matters (3 cr)
• SOC 5 (GS): Social Problems (3 cr)
• SOC 119N (GS; US): Race, Ethnicity, and Culture (3-4 cr)
• WMNST 100 (GS; US, IL): Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies (3 cr)
• WMNST 105N (GH/GS): Living in a Diverse World (3 cr)

Health Equity and Advocacy Studies

Worldwide, access to healthcare and therefore, levels of health are not equal. These courses examine the societal impacts of health disparities and advocacy for disadvantaged populations.

• BBH 302 (US): Diversity and Health (3 cr)
• BBH 407 (IL): Global Health Equity (3 cr)
• CMAS/HDFS 258N (GS/GHW): Introduction to Child Maltreatment and Advocacy Studies (3 cr)
• SOC 451 (GS): Health, Disease and Society (3 cr)

Disabilities and Special Education

SLPs and audiologists may often interact with individuals with disabilities or those who require accommodations. These courses will provide background knowledge to be effective in that work.

• CSD 240 (GS): Supporting Communication Through Performance (3 cr) – spring only
• EDPSY 10 (GS): Individual Differences and Education (3 cr) 
• EDPSY 11 (GS): Educational Implications of Individual Differences in Childhood (3 cr)
• ENGL 228 (GH; IL): Introduction to Disability Studies in the Humanities (3 cr)
• SPLED 400: Inclusive Special Ed Foundations: Legal, Characteristics, Collaboration, Assessment, and Management (4 cr)
• SPLED 403A: Evidence-Based Instruction for Elementary Students with Disabilities in Reading, Math, and Writing (3 cr)
• SPLED 403B: Evidence-Based Methods for Teaching Secondary Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Settings (3 cr)
• SPLED 461: Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders: Issues and Concerns (3 cr)
• RHS 100 (GS; US, IL): Introduction to Disability Culture (3 cr)
• RHS 403: Medical Aspects of Disability (3 cr)

Counseling and Interpersonal Communication

A basic understanding of counseling and communication techniques is helpful in any health-related profession where you may need to communicate difficult information.

• AA 120N (GA/GS): Introduction to Art Therapy (3cr)
• AA 130N (GA/GHW): Creative Arts Therapy Applications (3 cr)
• CAS 101N (GH/GS): Introduction to Human Communication (3 cr)
• RHS 301: Introduction to Counseling as a Profession (3 cr)

Human Development and Aging

Coursework in human development, including cognitive, social, and emotional development, provides a better understanding of clients across the lifespan.

• BIOL 155 (GN): Introduction to the Biology of Aging (3 cr)
• HDFS 229 (GS): Infant and Child Development (3 cr)
• HDFS 239 (GS): Adolescent Development (3 cr)
• HDFS 249N (GS): Adult Development and Aging (3 cr)
• HDFS 315: Family Development (3 cr)
• PSYCH 212 (GS): Introduction to Developmental Psychology (3 cr)
• PSYCH 221 (GS): Introduction to Social Psychology (3 cr)
• PSYCH 256 (GS): Introduction to Cognitive Psychology (3 cr)
• PSYCH 270 (GS): Introduction to Abnormal Psychology (3 cr)
• SOC 1 (GS): Introduction to Sociology (3 cr)
• SOC 3 (GS): Introductory Social Psychology (3 cr)
• SOC 30 (GS): Sociology of the Family (3 cr)

Health Administration and Communication

As future practitioners in the field of healthcare it is helpful to understand health organizations and health messaging and communications.

• CAS 162N (GH/GS): Communicating Care (3 cr)
• CAS 453: Health Communication Theory and Research (3 cr)
• HPA 57 (GHW): Consumer Choices in Health Care (3 cr)
• HPA 101: Introduction to Health Services Organization (3 cr)

Minors

With careful scheduling, students can use their elective credits to complete a minor in such areas as:

• Linguistics
• Psychology
• Human Development and Family Studies 
• Diversity and Inclusion in Health and Human Development
• Spanish
• Gerontology
• Special Education 
• Health Policy and Administration
• Rehabilitation and Human Services
• or any area of interest! 

 
Typically, a minor requires 18 credits, 6 of which have to be 400-level courses.

CSD majors interested in obtaining a minor should review the minor requirements in the Undergraduate Bulletin and consult with their academic adviser.