Introduction
One of the select goals and responsibilities of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is to provide undergraduate and graduate programs in Communicative Disorders. The graduate programs (Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology) are accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

During the first two years, the student is provided with an overview of the field, clinic observations, and an introduction to normal communication processes. At the junior level, the student studies disorders and intervention programs. As a senior, the student experiences management of cases.

Why Study Communicative Disorders at UW-Stevens Point?
Program strengths include a diversified faculty and staff who are committed to the highest quality of teaching and supervision. Unique components of the program include a state-of-the-art augmentative communication lab, a speech and hearing science lab, a comprehensive hearing aid dispensing program, clinical observation rooms, and practicum experience. The School provides an intensive and personal academic advising program. Students have been accepted in graduate schools throughout the country.

High School Preparation
High school students should focus on courses in biology, physics, chemistry, psychology, mathematics, and communication. Volunteer work with all ages is encouraged, as is shadowing speech-language pathologists and audiologists.

Department Features
The School of Communicative Disorders (SCD) has eleven full-time staff members with one half-time member who is also employed by the Stevens Point Area School District. Seven faculty members hold doctoral degrees. All members hold the Certificate of Clinical Competency from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in either speech-language pathology or audiology. Staff members have expertise in all areas of communicative disorders. The physical facilities and equipment available for teaching, clinic, and research activities rank with the finest in the Midwest.

Employment Opportunities
The master's degree is required for employment as a speech language pathologist. A doctoral degree is required for employment as an audiologist. Graduates are employed in school systems, birth-to-three programs, hospitals, medical/rehabilitation centers, private practice, and universities.

Sample Program of Study for the Communicative Disorders Major:

Freshman Year
First Semester	Credits	Second Semester	Credits
Eng 101-Freshman English	3	Eng 102-Freshman English	3
Biol 101-Gen Biology or Biol 160-Intro to Animal Biology	5	Physics 115-Acoustics	4
Psyc 110-Gen Psychology	3	ComD 160-Phonetics	3
ComD 108-Intro to Comm Disorders	3	Math 100-College Algebra	3
Wellness	2	Comm 101-Fund of Oral Communication	2
Total	16	Total	15
Sophomore Year
Hist 211-US to 1877	3	Hist 212-US since 1877	3
Psyc 260-Intro to Dev Psych or HD 265-Hum Growth & Development: A Life-Span Approach	3	Political Science 201- American Governments for Teachers	3
ComD 266-Normal Language Development	3	ComD 264-Anatomy & Physiology of Speech & Language	3
ComD 267-Normal Development Lab	1	Chem 100 (or 101)- Apprec. of Chemistry	3
Social Science	3	Humanities	3
Humanities	3	Aerobic Activity	1
Total	16	Total	16

To enroll in upper division (300-400) pre-professional courses the student must complete the lower division coursework with a GPA of 3.0 and have an overall GPA of 2.75.

The student will study various types of disorders and treatment measures during the junior year. As a senior, the student has more responsibility in the management of clinical cases. The student will also need to decide if they wish to seek Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) certification. A DPI license would allow the graduate to work in a public school setting. If the education option is sought, additional educational courses will be required.