Communication Studies and Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, BS

The combined Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies and Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology offers an interdisciplinary approach to human communication and its disorders. Coursework focuses on the scientific and theoretical frameworks of speech, language, and hearing. Students will also be introduced to the fundamentals of communication theory, and they have an opportunity to acquire the practical skills necessary to thrive in a complex and changing society. The curriculum is enhanced by experiential learning opportunities in a clinical setting that prepare the students for a variety of professional careers.

Complete all courses listed below unless otherwise indicated. Also complete any corequisite labs, recitations, clinicals, or tools courses where specified and complete any additional courses needed beyond specific college and major requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements.

University-Wide Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the University-Wide Requirements.

NUpath Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the NUpath Requirements.

First-Year Seminar

COMM 1000Communication Studies at Northeastern1
or SLPA 1000 College: An Introduction

Communication Studies Requirements

No more than two grades below a C in communication studies courses may be used to fulfill degree requirements.
Communication Studies Common Requirements
COMM 1101Introduction to Communication Studies4
COMM 1112Public Speaking4
or COMM 2301 Communication Research Methods
Foundation Course
Complete one of the following:4
COMM 1210
Persuasion and Rhetoric
COMM 1231
Principles of Organizational Communication
COMM 1225
Communication Theory
COMM 1255
Communication in a Digital Age
Cluster Course
Complete one of the following:4
COMM 1131
Sex, Relationships, and Communication
COMM 2303
Global and Intercultural Communication
COMM 2304
Communication and Gender
COMM 2501
Communication Law
COMM 2551
Free Speech in Cyberspace
Writing-Intensive Courses
Complete two of the following (COMM 3201 is strongly recommended):8
COMM 3200
Mobile Communication
COMM 3201
Health Communication
COMM 3230
Interpersonal Communication
COMM 3304
Communication and Inclusion
COMM 3320
Political Communication
COMM 3414
Great Speakers and Speeches
COMM 3415
Communication Criticism
COMM 3445
Public Relations Principles
COMM 3501
Free Speech: Law and Practice
COMM 3530
Communication and Sexualities
COMM 3532
Theories of Conflict and Negotiation
COMM 3610
Communication, Politics, and Social Change
COMM 4535
Nonverbal Social Interaction
COMM 4605
Youth and Communication Technology
COMM 4631
Crisis Communication and Image Management
Communication Studies Electives
Complete three COMM courses.12

Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Requirements

All courses in these sections must be completed with a C or better.
SLPA Requirements
SLPA 1101Introduction to Communication Disorders4
SLPA 1102Language Development4
SLPA 1103Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing Mechanism4
SLPA 1200Phonetics4
SLPA 1203Introduction to Audiology4
SLPA 1205Speech and Hearing Science4
SLPA 2000Introduction to Co-op1
or EEAM 2000 Professional Development for Co-op
SLPA 4651Speech Disorders across the Life Span4
SLPA 5107Clinical Procedures4
SLPA 5110Language Disorders across the Life Span4
SLPA 6219Aural Rehabilitation4

 Supporting Courses

PSYC 1101Foundations of Psychology4
ENGW 1111First-Year Writing4
PHYS 1145
and PHYS 1146		Physics for Life Sciences 1
and Lab for PHYS 1145		5
BIOL 2217
and BIOL 2218		Integrated Anatomy and Physiology 1
and Lab for BIOL 2217		5
BIOL 2219
and BIOL 2220		Integrated Anatomy and Physiology 2
and Lab for BIOL 2219		5
HLTH 2100Interprofessional Ethics for Individual and Population Health4
PHTH 2300Communication Skills for the Health Professions4
PSYC 2320Statistics in Psychological Research4

Integrative Course

Note: The selected integrative course counts toward the COMM writing-intensive (COMM 3201) or COMM elective (COMM 4102) as appropriate.
COMM 3201
Health Communication (WI)
or COMM 4102
 Health Communication Campaigns

Sample 4 Years, 2 Co-ops  

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
COMM 1000 or SLPA 10001Communication studies foundation course4COMM 11124Communication studies elective4
COMM 11014SLPA 11014Communication studies elective4General elective4
BIOL 2217
and BIOL 2218		5SLPA 12054  
PSYC 11014BIOL 2219
and BIOL 2220		5  
ENGW 11114   
 18 17 8 8
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
EEAM 2000 or SLPA 20001Co-op0Co-op0Vacation0
Communication studies cluster course4   
SLPA 12034   
PHYS 1145
and PHYS 1146		5   
SLPA 11034   
 18 0 0 0
Year 3
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
COMM 3409 or ENGW 33064PSYC 2320 or MATH 22804Vacation or optional co-op #20Vacation or optional co-op #20
Communication studies elective4SLPA 11024  
PHTH 23004Communication studies writing-intensive4  
HLTH 2100 or PHIL 11654SLPA 12004  
 16 16 0 0
Year 4
FallHoursSpringHours  
SLPA 51104SLPA 46514  
SLPA 51074SLPA 62194  
General elective4COMM 32014  
General elective4General elective4  
 16 16  
Total Hours: 133

A general elective or a COMM elective (e.g., COMM 1120) can be taken to fulfill the NUpath Formal/Quantitative Reasoning (FQ)  requirement.