Department of Communication Disorders

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 312 – Field Experience in Communication Disorders     1 credit hour

This field-based experience is designed to meet the clinical observation requirement of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) for majors in communication disorders. In addition this experience partially fulfills the state of Nebraska field experience requirement for students obtaining a teaching certificate.
Total Credits Allowed: 2.00
Prerequisite: CDIS 210

CDIS 323 – Introduction to Infant Testing     1 credit hour

This course provides an introduction to diagnostic principles, procedures and tools used in assessment of infants.

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

The purpose of this course is to provide theoretical and practical information as a means to understand hearing disorders and assess hearing sensitivity. This knowledge will lead to appropriate intervention for the person with hearing impairment and their families. Whether students are primarily interested in audiology, speech-language pathology, or education of the hearing impaired, a fundamental knowledge of audiology is essential to successful clinical practice. This course will provide that information.
Prerequisite: CDIS 335

CDIS 413 – American Sign Language I     3 credit hours

Performance course dealing with the expressive and receptive aspects of basic sign language. Designed for persons working with the hearing disabled, nonverbal, or non-communicating individual.

CDIS 415 – Aural Rehabilitation     3 credit hours

This course is designed to introduce students to issues of theory and treatment for patients with hearing impairment. After completion of this course the student should have a knowledge base that will aid them in the provision of Aural Rehabilitation therapy to children and adults in the clinic, as well as a foundation for further graduate study in the area.
Prerequisite: CDIS 210 and CDIS 410

CDIS 416 – American Sign Language II     3 credit hours

This course will provide intermediate instruction in sign language, both Signed English (SEE) and American Sign Language (ASL). Issues of deaf culture will be addressed.
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

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 440 – 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; terminology in AAC; funding based on legal issues of AAC, due process, and expert testimony; ethics; multicultural issues, literacy; advocacy; AAC assessment and implementation in children and adults with various conditions.
Department Consent Required
Prerequisite: Junior 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 practicioners. 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 480A – Clinical Practicum in Speech/Language Pathology     2 credit hours

Supervised experience in assessment and treatment of communication disorders. May be repeated two semesters to accumulate a minimum of 50 hours of clinical practicum.
Department Consent Required
Additional Course Fee Required

CDIS 485 – Fluency Disorders     3 credit hours

Study of fluency disorders of preschool children through adulthood. Deals with the problems of non-fluent speech and includes all overt and covert characteristics. Normal dysfluency and the development of stuttering will be discussed along with evaluation and assessment techniques. Treatment strategies in all age groups will also be discussed.
Prerequisite: CDIS 311 and CDIS 362 and CDIS 252

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