Department of Communication Disorders

College of Education

Whitney Schneider-Cline, Ph.D., Chair - (308) 865-8612, schneiderwm@unk.edu 

Philip Lai, Ph.D., Graduate Committee Chair - (308) 865-8306, laipt@unk.edu 

Amanda Keating, Online Program Coordinator - (308) 865-8463, keatinga@unk.edu

Master of Science in Education

Communication Disorders (CDIS)

CDIS 818P – Diagnostic Methods     3 credit hours

Diagnostic principles, procedures, and materials used in assessment of individuals with communication disorders.

CDIS 820P – Research in Communication Disorders     3 credit hours

This course is designed to help students of communication disorders become critical readers of research in the field and to demonstrate the relevance of basic and applied research for evaluation and therapy in speech-language pathology and audiology. The course will include research strategies and research design in communication disorders in addition to measurement issues and organization and analysis of data.

CDIS 830P – Pediatric Swallowing Disorders     1 credit hour

This course is designed to study the unique aspects of pediatric swallowing and feeding with regard to assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, and rehabilitation of children from birth to 21 years of age with dysphagia and/or related feeding disorders.

CDIS 832 – Independent Study in Audiology     1-3 credit hours

Independent research or special assignments in the area of audiology.
Total Credits Allowed: 3.00

CDIS 833 – Practicum in Audiology     1-3 credit hours

Observation and participation in hearing testing, rehabilitation and patient counseling, and report writing.
Total Credits Allowed: 3.00

CDIS 835P – Neurological Foundations of Speech and Language     3 credit hours

The course familiarizes the student with the nervous system in terms of the organization of the brain, descending motor and ascending sensory pathways, and cranial nerves and muscles. Knowledge of these anatomic systems makes possible the understanding and classification of the effects of specific, localized disease processes on human speech and language.

CDIS 840P – Augmentative Alternative Communication     3 credit hours

This course is designed to orient students to the process of AAC: the supplementation or replacement of natural speech and/or writing using aided and/or unaided symbols. Topics covered include: AAC as a process and assistive technology as tools; terminology in AAC; funding based on legal issues of AAC, due process and expert testimony; ethics; multicultural issues; literacy; seating and other positioning, and motor control. Assessment and intervention strategies will be discussed.

CDIS 851 – Phonological Disorders     3 credit hours

Nature, etiology, assessment and treatment of phonological disorders; comparison to articulation assessment and treatment; remediation approaches.

CDIS 852 – Read & Writ Strat for SLP: Serving Students w/Lang Based Literacy Disorders     3 credit hours

This course explores theory and research concerning language and literacy development and disorders in children and adolescents. Topics will include home and school influences on literacy acquisition, roles and responsibilities of the speech-language pathologist in reading and writing assessment and intervention, and predictors of reading and writing acquisition and improvement.

CDIS 857 – Dysphagia     2 credit hours

Rehabilitation of individuals with eating and swallowing disorders. Basic science, evaluation, and treatment issues of dysphagia are explored with emphasis on the management of adults in the context of the rehabilitation team in a medical setting. Adaptations and special needs of pediatric dysphagia are overviewed.
Prerequisite: CDIS 835P

CDIS 861 – Practicum in Speech/Language Pathology     1-3 credit hours

Observation and participation in speech-language and hearing diagnostic evaluations, therapy procedures, counseling clients, advising families, preparing lesson plans, writing reports, and maintaining files.
Total Credits Allowed: 3.00
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Additional Course Fee Required

CDIS 862 – Practicum in Speech/Language Pathology     1-3 credit hours

Observation and participation in speech-language and hearing diagnostic evaluations, therapy procedures, client counseling, family advising, lesson plan preparation, report writing, and clinical file maintenance.
Total Credits Allowed: 3.00
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Additional Course Fee Required

CDIS 863 – Practicum in Speech/Language Pathology     1-3 credit hours

Observation and participation in speech-language and hearing diagnostic evaluations, therapy procedures, client counseling, family advising, lesson plan preparation, report writing, and clinical file maintenance.
Total Credits Allowed: 3.00
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Additional Course Fee Required

CDIS 864 – Practicum in Speech/Language Pathology     1-3 credit hours

Observation and participation in speech-language and hearing diagnostic evaluations, therapy procedures, counseling clients, advising families, preparing lesson plans, writing reports, and maintaining files.
Total Credits Allowed: 3.00
Prerequisite: Graduate status
Additional Course Fee Required

CDIS 865 – Voice and Resonance Disorders     3 credit hours

Symptomatology, etiology, assessment and remediation of functional and organic voice disorders; prevention issues. Classification of cleft lip and palate and related anomalies; medical approaches to cleft lip and palate; and assessment and intervention of communication disorders related to cleft lip and palate.

CDIS 868 – Motor Speech Disorders     3 credit hours

Nature, etiology, assessment, and treatment of motor speech disorders including dysarthria; acquired brain injury; verbal apraxia; and augmentative/alternative communication systems.

CDIS 869 – Clinical Competencies in Speech-Language Pathology     3 credit hours

Clinical Competencies in Speech/Language Pathology provides instructional and application-based experiences in clinical evaluations, interventions, interactions, and the professional responsibilities of a practicing Speech-Language Pathologist. This is a concentrated, supervised experience in demonstrating clinical competencies with populations varying in age and communication disorder. Professional writing skills are addressed with opportunities to produce clinical documentation relevant for client assignments.
Total Credits Allowed: 6.00

CDIS 870P – Professional Issues     3 credit hours

This course is designed to prepare students for employment as speech language pathologists. It provides information relative to professional, federal and state guidelines by which the practice of speech-language pathology is governed. Rights and responsibilities of speech-language pathologists are addressed. Information is given about various work settings including public schools, hospitals and other clinical facilities.

CDIS 876 – Cognitive Communication Disorders     3 credit hours

Rehabilitation of individuals recovering from traumatic brain injury or closely related disorders. Evaluation and treatment issues are explored with emphasis on management of adults in a medical setting. Pediatric TBI, school reentry integration models and rehabilitation needs are also addressed. Special needs of right hemisphere damaged patients and those with dementia will be discussed.
Prerequisite: CDIS 815

CDIS 879P – Aging and Cognition     3 credit hours

Aging and Cognition is a multidisciplinary course that can interest/benefit/address students in different undergraduate or graduate programs including communication disorders, physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychology, nursing, family studies, kinesiology, sociology, social work, and education. Cognitive change as a normal process of aging as well as pathological aging including neurodegenerative diseases such as different types of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease will be discussed. The concept of cognitive reserve will be elaborated and the factors that contribute to building a better reserve for healthy aging and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases will be studied.

CDIS 881 – Seminar in Speech-Language Pathology     3 credit hours

Advanced study and research in topics of current concern and interest in Speech/Language Pathology.
Total Credits Allowed: 6.00

CDIS 885P – Fluency Disorders     3 credit hours

Causes and treatment of fluency disorders; major theories of the nature of stuttering; the various treatment approaches; roles as clinicians.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing

CDIS 886 – Infant-Preschool Assessment and Intervention     3 credit hours

This course will provide students with the opportunity to develop a knowledge base and applied skills in a model of collaborative team assessment to be used with children and families in the birth to five age range.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing

CDIS 887 – Aphasia Rehabilitation     3 credit hours

Historical, theoretical and basic neuroscience foundations of the aphasias and related disorders such as the apraxias and the agnosias are studied. Clinical aphasiology, the theoretical bases, and alternative procedures employed in the assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, and rehabilitation of individuals with aphasia and related disorders is comprehensively addressed.

CDIS 892P – Internship (Pediatric)     5-10 credit hours

Supervised clinical practicum in identification, assessment, and treatment of communication disorders in children in an educational setting or clinical facility.

CDIS 893P – Internship (Schools for NE Teacher Certification)     5-10 credit hours

Supervised clinical practicum in identification, assessment, and treatment of communication disorders in an approved school setting that meets the Nebraska Department of Education standards to be eligible for Nebraska teacher certification.
Total Credits Allowed: 10.00

CDIS 894P – Internship (Clinical)     4-10 credit hours

Supervised clinical practicum in identification, assessment, and treatment of communication disorders in a clinical facility.
Total Credits Allowed: 10.00

CDIS 895 – Independent Study in Speech-Language Pathology     1-3 credit hours

Independent research or special assignment in the field of Speech/ Language Pathology.
Total Credits Allowed: 9.00

CDIS 896 – Thesis     3-6 credit hours

Student investigates a research topic in the area of Speech/Language Pathology, following APA style of reporting the research.
Total Credits Allowed: 6.00

CDIS 897 – Internship (Schools out-of-state)     5-10 credit hours

Supervised clinical practicum in identification, assessment, and treatment of communication disorders in an approved school setting for students pursuing certification outside of Nebraska.
Total Credits Allowed: 10.00

CDIS 899P – Special Topics in Speech-Language Pathology     1-6 credit hours

A course designed to enable the administrators and teachers of Communication Disorders to become knowledgeable about recent trends and issues in Communication Disorders or other concerns affecting Communication Disorders.
Total Credits Allowed: 6.00