Academic Programs: Undergraduate
Introduction
The undergraduate curriculum provides a pre-professional foundation for graduate study in Communication Sciences and Disorders and related fields. Courses are offered in typical and disordered speech, language and hearing across the lifespan. Students choose to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree or a Bachelor of Arts degree.
About the Undergraduate Program: General Information
The undergraduate curriculum provides a pre-professional foundation for graduate study in Communication Sciences and Disorders and related fields. Courses are offered in typical and disordered speech, language and hearing across the lifespan. Students choose to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree or a Bachelor of Arts degree.
The curriculum includes 32 hours in sequenced COMD classes and 6 hours of Social Sciences electives. The American Speech Language Hearing Association 
requires that undergraduate students in Communication Sciences and Disorders also demonstrate college level background in the following areas. These requirements can all be met through University Core.
- Biology
- Physical Sciences, and
- Math
Please read our Undergraduate Handbook for more information about the Bachelor's program.
Career Opportunities
A student with a major in Communication Sciences and Disorders is preparing for a career as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist. Professional speech-language pathologists and audiologists provide diagnostic and therapeutic services to individuals who present a variety of communication disorders. These diagnostic and therapeutic services are performed in a variety of settings including public schools, community clinics, hospitals, and private practices. US News and World Report includes Audiology as one of its top 25 careers of 2009 and “accent reduction specialist” (a specialty within the field of Speech Language Pathology) as one of 2009’s “Best-Kept-Secret Careers.” See more career information.
Undergraduate Advisor Contact Information:
Undergraduate Advisor
Department of Communication
Sciences and Disorders
100 Clinical Research Services Center
University of Houston
Houston, TX 77204-6018
Phone: 713-743-2764
E-mail: Marla Moreno-Jordan
Frequently Asked Questions
1.) I am transferring from a junior college, will my credits transfer?
As long as you received a grade of C or better your courses should transfer especially if they were taken to fulfill a core requirement in a state of Texas institution. However, only 66 lower level (freshman or Sophomore) level courses can be used towards a degree at the University of Houston. It is also important to note that your last 30 hours must be taken continuously at the University. In order to graduate with Latin honors at the University of Houston, you must complete at least 66 hours at the University of Houston with a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or higher.
2.) I have completed all my core classes at another Texas school, but I noticed that the University of Houston doesn’t have the same courses for their core. Will I have to take more courses to fulfill those core requirements?If you attended another State of Texas funded accredited institution, the University of Houston will recognize your courses to fulfill the appropriate core requirements. However, an institution receiving a student in transfer is not required to accept component core course semester credit hours beyond the maximum specified in a core component area. Students should seek academic advising when transferring courses among institutions. See also UH's transfer credit guidelines.
3.) Outside of the major courses, what other requirements are there?The first requirement is the Texas Core Curriculum. Courses designated as Core can be used to fulfill these categories. The American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) requires that undergraduate students in Communication Sciences and Disorders demonstrate college level background in Biology and Physical Science (geology, physics, chemistry, astronomy, oceanography, etc.). These ASHA requirements can be met through your natural sciences Core courses.
The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) also has specific graduation requirements. Nine (9) credits must be filled by completing 3 courses from 3 different departments within the college. These courses cannot apply to the core or to your declared major.
Finally, the college also requires its students to complete a minor. Any minor offered by the University of Houston is valid for our major. Note that each department that offers a minor has its own set of criteria. Also, there is always a requirement that a certain number of credits within the minor be taken at the University of Houston.
4.) Do you offer night or summer courses?All of our Undergraduate courses are offered during the day during the Fall and Spring semesters. Students often take courses in their minor or for the Core during the summers.
5.) Do I have to apply separately to the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders in order to start taking classes?Mandatory group advising sessions are held each semester to explain departmental policies. We welcome all students to take the beginning classes in the major. However, you must complete the COMD Core successfully before you can be officially designated as a major in COMD.
6.) Can I minor in Communication Sciences and Disorders?Yes. You must make an appointment with the department academic advisor in order to declare a minor and to file a minor degree plan.
7.) Can I take American Sign Language as a foreign language? Can I minor in it?American Sign Language (ASL) is recognized as a foreign language by the State of Texas and we offer enough courses to fulfill the foreign language requirement. However, there are not enough courses to complete a minor.
8.) Do I have to finish my associates' degree or be core complete before taking courses in the major?We welcome students to start taking courses at the freshman level. You can easily work on completing other requirements while taking the initial courses in the major.