Communication Disorders (CDIS)
CDIS 110 – Articulation for Non-Native Speakers of English 1 credit hour
Designed for students with limited English proficiency. Provides practice in pronunciation of American English and comprehension and use of conversational language, including idioms, slang, homonyms, prepositions, vocabulary, grammar, and rules of discourse. Individual assistance will be arranged. May be taken up to 3 times.Total Credits Allowed: 3.00
CDIS 126 – First Year Seminar 1 credit hour
The First-Year Seminar provides students with a multidisciplinary experience in which they approach an issue or problem from the perspective of three different academic differences. The First-Year Seminar will consist of three 1-credit hour courses taken as co-requisites in a single semester. The successful completion of all three courses satisfies the General Studies LOPER 1 course requirement. Students may take the First-Year Seminar in any discipline, irrespective of their major or minor. Students admitted as readmit students or transfer students who transfer 18 or more hours of General Studies credit to UNK are exempt from taking a LOPER 1 course.CDIS 210 – Survey of Communication Disorders 3 credit hours
Survey of Communication Disorders is an introductory course providing a basic understanding of the field of communication sciences and disorders as well as the professions of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. Topics covered include characteristics, causes, and basic treatment of communication disorders in children and adults. The course is designed for Communication Disorders, Special Education, Education, and Health Science majors or anyone that has an interest in learning more about the professions of Speech Language Pathology and/or Audiology.CDIS 215 – Introduction to Phonetics 3 credit hours
Introduction to Phonetics introduces students to the classification system of vowels and consonants related to speech development. Students will learn how to read and transcribe typical conversational speech, disordered speech, and speech containing dialectal variations using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).CDIS 252 – Anatomy & Physiology of the Speech Mechanism 3 credit hours
This class explores concepts related to the study of the anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanisms including: terminology, structure and function of the skeletal frameworks for respiration, phonation, articulation, swallowing, and hearing.CDIS 261 – Normal Language Development 3 credit hours
This course studies the building blocks of language for infancy to school-aged children as well as the science and theories behind language development. It provides an introduction to language diversity and disorders.CDIS 311 – Clinical Methods and Procedures in Communication Disorders 3 credit hours
This course is designed to equip students in the field of speech-language pathology and audiology with the essential clinical skills and knowledge necessary for effective practice. This course will provide students with the intricacies of clinical writing, assessment, goal development, evidenced-based practice (EBP), treatment, documentation, counseling, and cultural sensitivity. This course also offers students the opportunity to gain practical experience through guided clinical observation. Students will observe the evaluation and treatment of diverse individuals of various ages and communication disorders. This course meets the requirement of 25 hours of guided observation outlined by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and will be better prepare students for future clinical practicum experiences.Prerequisite: CDIS 210 and CDIS 354 or CDIS 362.
CDIS 335 – Speech and Hearing Science 3 credit hours
This course involves the study of basic sound, including physiological aspects of acoustics, speech production and perception, hearing, and mathematical computation of sound intensity and pressure.Prerequisite: CDIS 210 and CDIS 252
CDIS 354 – Preschool Language Disorders 3 credit hours
This course explores the nature and characteristics of language disorders in preschool-age children, birth to age 8 years. General principles of language, assessment and intervention, and current best practices are presented.Prerequisite: CDIS 261
CDIS 362 – Speech Sound Disorders I 3 credit hours
This course introduces students to principles and procedures related to speech sound disorders. Students will learn etiologies and characteristics of a speech disorder. They will learn assessment procedures and how to identify if a disorder is present. Students will study prevention and intervention approaches to support clients with these disorders.Prerequisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in CDIS 215.
CDIS 406 – Adult Communication Disorders 3 credit hours
This course provides an overview of communication disorders in adult and geriatric populations. The course will introduce students to the etiologies underlying adult communicative disorders and general characteristics of the various disorders that include stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, Right Hemisphere Disorder, Dysarthria, Apraxia, and other Motor Speech Disorders, Stuttering, voice, Laryngectomy and swallowing disorders, dementia, and other neurodegenerative disorders.Prerequisite: CDIS 252 and junior standing
CDIS 410 – Introduction to Audiology 3 credit hours
This course will provide theoretical and practical information to assess hearing sensitivity and understand hearing disorders. This knowledge will lead to appropriate intervention for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) and their families. Whether students are primarily interested in audiology, speech-language pathology, or deaf education, a fundamental knowledge of audiology is essential for successful clinical practice.Prerequisite: CDIS 335
CDIS 413 – American Sign Language I 3 credit hours
This course introduces basics of American Sign Language skills and Deaf Culture. It is designed for students who have limited/no knowledge of ASL, focusing on receptive and expressive skills in basic conversations, dialogue, and vocabulary development.CDIS 415 – Aural Rehabilitation 3 credit hours
This course will introduce students to issues of theory and treatment for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH). After completion of this course students will have knowledge about hearing aids, cochlear implants, and hearing assistive technology, as well as therapeutic techniques for the provision of aural rehabilitative therapy for children and adults.Prerequisite: CDIS 210 and CDIS 410
CDIS 416 – American Sign Language II 3 credit hours
This course expands the students' knowledge of American Sign Language and Deaf Culture. Students will continue to develop communicative competence focusing on receptive and expressive skills in basic conversations, dialogue, and vocabulary development.Prerequisite: CDIS 413
CDIS 420 – Research in Communication Disorders 3 credit hours
This course is designed to help students of communication disorders to 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.Prerequisite: Junior standing and STAT 235 or STAT 241
CDIS 435 – Neurological Foundations of Speech and Language 3 credit hours
The purpose of this course is to study, in depth, the structural and functional frameworks of the central and peripheral nervous systems and to relate these systems to speech and language functioning. Specifically, this course familiarizes students to the organization of the brain, descending motor and ascending sensory pathways, and cranial nerves. Knowledge of these anatomic systems makes possible the understanding and its contribution to human speech and language.Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing
CDIS 460 – Independent Study and Research 1-3 credit hours
Investigation of selected problems or topics on an individual basis. Designed to serve students in Communication Disorders who desire additional study in their chosen areas of expertise.Department Consent Required
Total Credits Allowed: 3.00
CDIS 470 – Professional Issues in Speech/Language Pathology 3 credit hours
This course explores the core principles and practices of the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology. Students will gain a deeper understanding of ASHA's Scope of Practice and Code of Ethics for practitioners. This course will provide information about certification and licensure in the educational and medical settings. This course will also discuss the various workplace settings, interprofessional collaboration, and cultural competency across diverse populations.Prerequisite: Senior standing
CDIS 488 – Senior Seminar 3 credit hours
This course is designed in the traditional research seminar format. The student is expected to develop and demonstrate clear analytical thinking and competence in oral and written communication of findings from the professional literature on topics of relevance to the profession of speech language pathology.Prerequisite: Senior standing
CDIS 498 – Special Topics 1-3 credit hours
Topics concerning current developments in speech/language pathology. The approach will vary depending upon the topic, the instructor, and the needs of students. (May be taken twice.)Total Credits Allowed: 6.00