Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Dr. Kimberly Green, Department Chair
Academic Complex, Room 104C
Phone: 270-745-4541; Fax: 270-745-3441
Website: http://www.wku.edu/communicationdisorders
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) offers an undergraduate major in Communication Disorders, a graduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology, a minor in American Sign Language, and a Deaf Studies Certificate. Additionally, the pre-SLP program consists of a series of courses that prepare students without an undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders to apply to graduate programs in Speech-Language Pathology.
The undergraduate Communication Disorders program provides broad-based instruction to prepare students for graduate study in speech-language pathology, audiology, and related fields. Students who complete the undergraduate program receive a Bachelor’s of Science in Communication Disorders and must complete a master’s degree to practice speech-language pathology and a Doctorate of Audiology (AuD) to practice audiology.
The graduate degree program in Speech-Language Pathology prepares students for the clinical practice of speech-language pathology. A certified speech-language pathologist works with both children and adults to evaluate and diagnose disorders associated with speech, language, cognition, communication, and swallowing. The Speech-Language Pathology graduate program has two cohorts, one offered on the Bowling Green Campus and one distance-learning cohort that is primarily offered online but with one required summer clinical experience on the Bowling Green Campus.
The minor in American Sign Language provides students with communication competency in a visual language and an understanding of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing culture. A Deaf Studies Certificate will broaden a student’s knowledge of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals, with an emphasis on Deaf Culture. The Deaf Studies Certificate will not qualify students to become licensed interpreters.
Students in the pre-SLP program must have an undergraduate degree from a field other than communication disorders at the time they begin taking courses in the pre-SLP program. The pre-SLP program is a fully online distance-learning program.
Students considering a major in Communication Disorders, a graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology, a minor in American Sign Language, a Deaf Studies Certificate, or the pre-SLP program, should contact the appropriate program director for admission timelines, requirements, and advisement.
Faculty
Associate Professor
Kimberly J. Green EdD (Educational Leadership, Postsecondary Leadership), Western Kentucky University, 2015
Assistant Professor
Jenny M. Burton PhD (Communication Disorders and Sciences), University of Cincinnati Main Campus, 2019
Amy E. Engelhoven PhD (Communication Disorders and Sciences), University of Arkansas Main Campus, 2016
Ashley C. Fox PhD (Educational Leadership and Organizational Development), University of Louisville, 2010
Clinical Assistant Professor
Sara R. Poynter MS (Communication Disorders), Western Kentucky University, 2013
Kaitlyn S. Rippy AUD (Audiology), Vanderbilt University, 2021
Brittney R. Vickous MS (Communication Disorders), Western Kentucky University, 2011
Clinical Associate Professor
Leigh Anne Roden EdD (Educational Leadership, P-12 Leadership), Western Kentucky University, 2011
Instructor I
Holly B. Bryant MAE (Counseling), Western Kentucky University, 2015
American Sign Language (ASL)
ASL 101 American Sign Language I 3 Hours
Principles, methods, and techniques for communicating with individuals who sign. Topics include expressive and receptive sign skills, manual alphabet, numbers, and sign vocabulary. Off campus experiences are required. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to designated or assigned sites.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
ASL 102 American Sign Language II 3 Hours
Continuation and expansion of principles, methods and techniques for communicating with individuals who sign. Off-campus experiences are required. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to designated or assigned sites. Fulfills World Language with a grade of C or better. Note: Permission of instructor maybe required.
Prerequisite(s): (CD 101 with a minimum grade of C or CDCC 101C with a minimum grade of C or ASL 101 with a minimum grade of C or High School 2 years ASL)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
ASL 201 American Sign Language III 3 Hours
Development of intermediate expressive and receptive ASL skills and cultural features of the language and community. Off-campus experiences are required. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to designated and assigned sites. The class will be conducted without voice to enhance comprehension of the language. Fulfills World Language with a grade of C or better. Note: CLEP test may be required.
Prerequisite(s): (CD 102 with a minimum grade of C or CDCC 102C with a minimum grade of C or ASL 102 with a minimum grade of C)
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
ASL 301 American Sign Language IV 3 Hours
The fourth in the four semester sequence which continues training in American Sign Language (ASL) and study of the Deaf Community. Expressive, receptive, and affective skills will be the primary focus with an emphasis on receptive skills. The class will be conducted without voice to enhance comprehension of the language. Fulfills World Language with a grade of C or better.
Prerequisite(s): (CD 201 with a minimum grade of C or ASL 201 with a minimum grade of C)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
ASL 302 Deaf Culture in America 3 Hours
Provides analysis of the sociological, cultural and political impacts of deafness and compares various dynamics between Deaf and Hearing cultures in the United States. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SC
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024
ASL 303 International Deaf Studies 3 Hours
Expands the student's global understanding and knowledge of language, culture, education, law, technology, services provided and careers for the deaf and hard of hearing in other countries. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-LG
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
ASL 306 American Sign Language Classifiers 3 Hours
Provides an in-depth analysis of classifiers in ASL through discussion and demonstration of the three different categories in ASL: representative classifiers (noun and its action), descriptive classifiers (size-and-shape, perimeter, patterns and textures), and instrumental classifiers (manipulative and handle). Students will learn to comprehend and produce classifiers from all three categories. The class will be conducted in American Sign Language to enhance comprehension.
Prerequisite(s): ASL 301 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of C
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
ASL 309 ASL Specialized Vocabulary 3 Hours
Supplements a student's American Sign Language (ASL) conversational skills by introducing terms and phrases which are found in specialized settings. The class will be conducted in American Sign Language to enhance comprehension.
Prerequisite(s): ASL 301 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of C
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
ASL 401 Fingerspelling 3 Hours
This course will serve to supplement a student's American Sign Language (ASL) conversational skills. Receptive and expressive fingerspelling course content will serve to further strengthen the student's use of this language. In addition, the course will also focus on aspects and applications of incorporating numerals into use of ASL in a variety of contexts. The class will be conducted without voice to enhance comprehension of the language.
Prerequisite(s): ASL 102 with a minimum grade of C
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
ASL 402 ASL Professional Ethics and Issues 3 Hours
Professional and ethical issues as they relate to interpreting and transliterating. In addition, students will become familiar with applicable terminology and procedures when interacting with the Deaf Community. Topics are based on information needed for the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf certification tests.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2024
ASL 403 Deaf Culture and History 3 Hours
An overview of the psychological, sociological and cultural impacts of deafness upon children and adults. Explores how deafness can affect the individual's development in language, communication, cognition, and psychological emotional growth. Examines historic relations between Deaf and hearing and compares Deaf culture with that of the hearing world. A voice interpreter will be provided for this class.
Prerequisite(s): (CD 102 with a minimum grade of C or CDCC 102C with a minimum grade of C or ASL 102 with a minimum grade of C)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
ASL 406 ASL Special Topics 1-3 Hours (repeatable max of 9 hrs)
An in-depth examination of a current topic and relevance in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
Prerequisite(s): ASL 102
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
Communication Disorders (CD)
CD 200 Cross Cultural Health Care Encounters 1 Hour
Provides the opportunity to understand and analyze cross-cultural issues related to communication that emerge in health care settings, particularly during a patient-provider encounter.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
CD 210 Communication Disorders in Linguistically Diverse Populations 3 Hours
Foundation for the identification, evaluation, and treatment of communication disorders in clients from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
CD 220 Implementing and Managing a Language Access Service 3 Hours
Implementation and maintenance of successful language access services in health care facilities. Addresses the legal and administrative aspects of language access programs and services.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
CD 230 Medical Interpreting Skills 3 Hours
Introduces and builds the skills necessary for a bilingual student to become a professional medical interpreter. It also examines the various roles of the professional medical interpreter. Note: Score of "intermediate-high or above on American Council on Teaching Foreign Language (ACTFL) is required; Information regarding this test and fees can be found at www.actfl.org.
Prerequisite(s): AH 290
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
CD 280 Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders 3 Hours
Orientation course to the profession introduces prospective students of speech pathology and audiology to the general areas of prevention, identification, diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment as related to the management of communication disorders. Includes a basic introduction to the anatomy, physiology, and etiologies of the ear.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
CD 290 Guided Clinical Observations 1 Hour
Provides speech pathology/audiology students with opportunities to observe a minimum of 25 hours of treatment for communication disorders in children and adults.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024
CD 347 Science of Speech and Hearing 3 Hours
Overview of the linguistic, psycholinguistic, and sociolinguistic variables of speech and hearing. Basic orientation to instruments for measuring acoustic parameters.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024
CD 348 Introduction to Clinical Research and Writing in Communication Sciences and Disorders 3 Hours
Introduction to clinical research methods and writing for professional reports and publication in speech language pathology and audiology. The course provides an overview of discipline specific research strategies, methods, and goals of clinical research. A primer in scientific and professional writing for speech language pathology specific clinical settings and journals is also covered.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
CD 405 Applied Phonetics 3 Hours
Study of distinctive feature systems that classify consonants and vowels, the definitions of phonological process terminology, and practice in broad and narrow transcription of words and connected speech.
Prerequisite(s): CD 280 and CD 290
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Enrollment is limited to students in Communication Disorders (595) or Communication Disorders- Prep (595P)
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
CD 433 Communication Evaluation in Autism Spectrum Disorders 3 Hours
Communication diagnostic considerations employed when assessing language in individuals with diagnoses along the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) continuum; formal and descriptive assessment is presented with case study methodology.
Prerequisite(s): CD 485
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
CD 434 Communication Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorders 3 Hours
Communication intervention considerations and evidence-based strategies are presented for individuals diagnosed within the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) continuum; use of evidence-based strategies and case study methodology.
Prerequisite(s): CD 433
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
CD 472 Special Topics in Communication Disorders 1-3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)
An in-depth examination of a topic of current interest and relevance to students majoring in Communication Disorders or minoring in ASL.
Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2022; summer 2023
CD 478 Clinical Issues and Treatment in Speech Language Pathology 3 Hours
Overview of specified speech and language disorders that may be encountered in a clinical setting. Outcomes based treatment will be discussed.
Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Communication Disorders (595)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
CD 481 Speech and Language Development 3 Hours
Introduction to development of speech and language across the lifespan with emphasis on comprehensive child development. Topics include development of speech and language, play, cognition, socialization, and emerging literacy.
Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2022; fall 2022; summer 2023; fall 2023; summer 2024; fall 2024
CD 482 Audiology 3 Hours
Review basic speech science, ear anatomy, physiology and pathology. Training in auditory testing by speech, pure tone, and bone conduction. Testing techniques for pediatric populations.
Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Communication Disorders (595) or Communication Disorders- Prep (595P)
Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2022; fall 2022; summer 2023; fall 2023; summer 2024; fall 2024
CD 483 Introduction to Disorders of Articulation and Phonology 3 Hours
Study of the etiology, evaluation, and management of phonological process proficiency in children. Includes dialectal and bilingual differences. Stresses proficiency in administering protocols and planning therapy using several approaches.
Prerequisite(s): CD 405
Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Communication Disorders (595) or Communication Disorders- Prep (595P)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
CD 484 Speech Anatomy and Physiology 3 Hours
Designed to help students identify the structures and functions which comprise the speech and hearing mechanism. The relation of this mechanism to the production and development of speech and language will be addressed.
Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Communication Disorders (595) or Communication Disorders- Prep (595P)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
CD 485 Introduction to Assessment in Communication Disorders 3 Hours
Focus on assessment using standardized and nonstandardized screening and diagnostic instruments. Development of formal and informal evaluation techniques common to speech pathology/audiology. Overview of data gathering and interpretation regarding communication functions in persons of all ages. Includes multi-cultural assessment tools and methods.
Prerequisite(s): CD 405 and CD 481 and CD 484
Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Communication Disorders (595) or Communication Disorders- Prep (595P)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024
CD 486 Language Disorders 3 Hours
Identification, diagnosis, and treatment approaches used with language delayed children. Covers current state and federal legislation as related to service delivery models. Evaluation strategies include language sampling and report writing. Treatment approaches based on medical and educational models with emphasis on functional language therapy.
Prerequisite(s): CD 405 and CD 481 and CD 484
Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Communication Disorders (595) or Communication Disorders- Prep (595P)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
CD 487 Aural Rehabilitation 3 Hours
Includes terminology, diagnostic procedures (with emphasis on early identification) and habilitation/rehabilitation programs such as manual and total communication for pediatric through geriatric populations.
Prerequisite(s): CD 482
Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Communication Disorders (595)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
CD 488 Augmentative Communication Systems 3 Hours
Focus on terminology and issues in alternative/augmentative communication. Teaches about low-, mid-, and high-tech devices to meet client needs. Strategies for assessment and treatment will be addressed.
Prerequisite(s): CD 405 and CD 481 and CD 483 and CD 485 and CD 486
Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Communication Disorders (595)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
CD 489 Communication Disorders in Aging 3 Hours
Teaches about symptoms, causes, and treatment of speech, language, and hearing disorders in the geriatric population.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
CD 490 Connecting with Nonverbal Communicators 3 Hours
Overview of preverbal communication development, nonverbal expression, and disorders associated with complex syndromes. Focus is on language intervention strategies used with individuals who have complex syndromes and/or medical conditions.
Prerequisite(s): CD 481 and CD 486
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Freshman, Junior or Sophomore may not enroll.
Enrollment is limited to students in Communication Disorders (595)
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
CD 491 Management of Communication Disorders in the School 3 Hours
Focus on assessment techniques; therapy approaches; case selection; scheduling; program planning; program evaluation; and federal, state and local legislation for school support services. Also addresses service delivery to culturally diverse populations.
Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Freshman, Junior or Sophomore may not enroll.
Enrollment is limited to students in Communication Disorders (595)
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
CD 492 Neuroanatomy in Communication Sciences and Disorders 3 Hours
Introduction to the study of brain, central nervous system, and peripheral nervous system and its relation to the field of communication sciences and disorders. Normal and abnormal development will be addressed. Diagnostic procedures and intervention techniques are discussed.
Prerequisite(s): CD 482 and CD 484
Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Communication Disorders (595)
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
CD 495 Clinical Internship 2,3 Hours (repeatable max of 9 hrs)
Introduction to therapeutic process by beginning the transition from theory to practice. Clinical documentation; therapeutic planning and implementation; and case study analysis are addressed.
Prerequisite(s): CD 478 and CD 483 and CD 485 and CD 486 and CD 487
Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Communication Disorders (595)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
CD 496 International Speech Pathology 3 Hours
A study abroad course that provides students with an opportunity to acquire knowledge and understanding of speech pathology services in other countries. Emphasis on the identification of different methodologies employed by clinicians in other countries for treating communication disorders in adults and children.
Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Communication Disorders (595) or Communication Disorders- Prep (595P)
Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2023