The undergraduate degree program in Communicative Disorders provides students with a conceptual background in speech, language, hearing and education related subjects. It prepares graduates to function competently and independently in public school programs, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, birth-to-three programs, or clinics. A preschool through adolescence (pre-kindergarten through high school) license in speech and language pathology will be issued only after the completion of a master's degree in communicative disorders. Thus, students must plan on graduate studies if intending to pursue this licensing option. Many students obtain their undergraduate degrees from UW-Madison and complete their master’s degree and licensing requirements at another institution.
The bachelor of science degree is earned in the School of Education, and the master's degree is earned in the Department of Communicative Disorders (College of Letters and Science major with School of Education certification). Recommendation for certification is contingent upon completion of the master's degree at UW-Madison or another institution and receiving a passing score in the National Exam in Speech and Language Pathology required by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Not all students eligible for admission to the undergraduate program can be accepted to the master's degree program on this campus.
The undergraduate degree in Communicative Disorders includes four categories of course work:
Students interested in communicative disorders usually begin their academic careers in the School of Education with a "pre-professional" designation (“Pre-Secondary Education” or “PRS”). Current on-campus students wishing to transfer to the School of Education can find a pre-professional application form at this link. Pre-Communicative Disorders students enroll in liberal studies, general education, discipline-related, education, and major gateway courses during their freshman and sophomore years. Students who do not begin on campus as Pre-Communicative Disorders students must complete an application.
Students generally apply to the professional program during their sophomore year and begin the professional sequence as juniors. Most students require four years to complete the Communicative Disorders degree program.
The Communicative Disorders program currently accepts students during both fall and spring semesters. To be eligible to be admitted, candidates must have earned 54 credits; earned a 2.75 cumulative grade point average; completed and earned a minimum 3.0 grade point average across the three "gateway courses" (Com Dis 201, 202, and 240); earned a cumulative 3.0 GPA on all major course work completed to date; earned minimum scores on the Praxis I/Pre-Professional Skills Test; and submitted application materials.
Students are encouraged to meet regularly with their advisor at Education Academic Services (EAS). Each student interested in a School of Education program is assigned a specific EAS advisor. Advisors are located in Rust-Schreiner Halls, 115 North Orchard Street (call 608-262-1651 to make an appointment). Communicative Disorders majors are required to contact the Department of Communicative Disorders to discuss their requirements as well. Visit the Undergraduate Program office, Goodnight Hall, 1975 Willow Drive, or phone 608-262-3951 for an appointment.
Incoming freshmen discuss program options with advisors during the Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) Program. At SOAR, advisors help students select courses and plan their first semesters at UW-Madison. Recognizing that students often have many academic interests and more than one possible career goal, School of Education advisors help students explore options and maintain academic flexibility. Prospective off-campus transfer students and on-campus students considering teacher education may meet with an advisor in an individual advising session.