Contact Information
Brenda Bender, Chair  
ACU Box 28058
Abilene, Texas 79699-8058
Don Morris Center, Room 115

Phone: 325-674-2074
Fax: 325-674-2552
Email: brenda.bender@acu.edu
Web: www.acu.edu/comm/disorders

Faculty
Lynette Austin, Assistant Professor
Terry Baggs, Assistant Professor
Denise Barnett, Assistant Professor
Brenda Bender, Associate Professor
MaLesa Breeding, Professor
D’Lyla Kirby, Assistant Professor

Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders (BS) 

The Communication Sciences and Disorders Department offers a Bachelor of Science degree in communication sciences and disorders.

Introduction
The goal of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is to prepare students to pursue graduate study in communication disorders (e.g., speech-language pathology or audiology). Four years of undergraduate education, followed by at least two additional years of graduate study are required to practice as a Certified Speech-Language Pathologist or Audiologist. Speech-language pathologists and audiologists are required by most states to earn a graduate degree from a program accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The graduate program in speech-language pathology at ACU is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation from ASHA.

 Additional Admission Requirements
The declaration of Communication Sciences and Disorders as a major does not ensure admission to the Communication Sciences and Disorders program. In addition to the requirements for all degrees (see the General Education Requirements section of this catalog), the student must apply for and be granted admission to the Communication Sciences and Disorders program before taking courses beyond the first 9 hours in the degree program (COMP 225, 235, 330).

The following accomplishments are required for admission: 

• Be enrolled in or have completed ≥45 semester hours of credit towards the degree at ACU;
• Have a minimum overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.75;
• Complete the first 9 semester hours in the major with a 3.0 GPA (COMP 225, COMP 235, COMP 330).

Information on applying for admission to the program is given to all students when they declare their major. The deadline for application is the 10th week of the semester in which the student anticipates completing the initial 9 hours of the degree program (COMP 225, 235, 330).

Other Departmental Requirements
In order to remain in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program, a student must:

     • Maintain an overall GPA of 2.75 or better;
     • Have a "C" or better in all majors classes.

Students who do not continue to meet the above requirements will be dropped from COMP classes until such time as the requirements are met. Any exemptions or modifications to the above requirements due to special circumstances must be requested through the chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. All requests will be reviewed and must be approved by the faculty.

Study Abroad Expectations
All students are encouraged to participate in ACU’s Study Abroad program. Classes offered at Study Abroad sites vary depending on the site. Academic advisors can assist students in planning ahead for their Study Abroad experience and should be consulted during the freshman year.