Frequently Asked Questions of Current Communicative Disorders Majors
1. Who is my advisor?
The undergraduate advisor for all Communicative Disorders majors is Ms. Donna Christensen.
2. What kinds of things can my advisor help me with?
Your advisor can help with any issue related to your progress in the major. Issues may include but are not limited to questions about the major, career goals, changing majors, course selection, course problems, grades, and campus resources.
3. How do I make an appointment to see my advisor?
Your advisor posts open office hours for each week, on the door of the Advising Office – 46A- CPS building. You are welcome to walk in anytime during office hours. If you have a class conflict and cannot come in during office hours, simply send an email (dchriste@uwsp.edu) indicating what you would like to discuss and times that you can meet during the next week. Your advisor will reply within a day or two identifying a time to meet.
4. How do I obtain advising to decide what classes to take in the future?
Every semester your advisor offers several group advising meetings. You will be informed of these meeting by email around mid-semester. You need to attend one meeting and bring along a current degree progress report. Advice is given to the group; however there is an opportunity for individual questions to be answered.
5. What grades do I need to earn in order to stay in the Communicative Disorders major?
Students in the lower division (100- 200) Com Dis courses must have a minimum GPA of 2.0. To enroll in the upper division (300- 400) Com Dis courses, the student must complete the lower division Com Dis coursework with a 3.0 GPA in Com Dis courses, and have an overall GPA of 2.75.
6. What should I do if my grades are below the academic standards for the major?
The first step is to meet with your advisor and professors to discuss the academic problems that you are having. Students who do not meet either the overall or in-major GPA are placed on probation in the major. The student then has one semester to raise the GPA to the standard required for the major.
7. When should I declare teaching intent?
A student should declare teaching intent as soon as determining an interest in working in a school setting. Intent is declared by contacting the School of Education in room 469 of the College of Professional Studies.
8. When should I apply to the School of Education?
Communicative Disorders majors usually apply to the School of Education during the first semester of their junior year. All 100 and 200 level Com Dis courses must be completed before applying to the School of Education. You will learn about all requirements when declaring teaching intent. ( http://www.uwsp.edu/Education/Reference/Handbook )
9. Can I study abroad for a semester and still complete the major in four years?
There is a window of opportunity during the sophomore year to study abroad and still complete the major in 4 years. Due to the sequential nature of the Com Dis courses, studying abroad any other semester may result in an additional year to complete the major. Many Com Dis students opt for study abroad experiences during the summer or other break periods, when it does not interfere with progress in the major.
10. When should I begin to apply to graduate schools?
Students apply to graduate programs in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology during the first semester of the senior year. Students typically begin to investigate programs during the second semester of their junior year. ( http://asha.org/gradguide ).