Department of Rehabilitation Sciences

Gail S. Donaldson, Chair

The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RHS) includes programs in Athletic Training, Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Speech-Language Pathology. All students pursuing programs in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences must meet all requirements for admission into the Beaver College of Health Sciences.

For information on the Master of Science degree program in Athletic Training or the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, please consult the current Graduate Bulletin or contact the department chair.

Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (820A/51.0201)

The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences offers a preprofessional program in the study of human communication and associated disorders. The Bachelor of Science degree provides students with the academic preparation and clinical exposure necessary for graduate study in speech-language pathology or audiology.

CSD GPA Requirements: 3.2 cumulative GPA required for declaration, 3.2 cumulative GPA required for retention, and 3.2 cumulative and 2.0 major GPA required for graduation.

CSD grade requirements: All CSD majors must earn a minimum grade of “C” (2.0) in each required course in the major, and a minimum grade of “B” (3.0) for CSD 2259 and CSD 2260 .

Note: Students may repeat a CSD course only once. Students may repeat only two CSD courses throughout the program.

Academic Standards for Retention

Students in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program are expected to abide by Appalachian State University’s code of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity Code and the Department’s Professional Dispositions, Behaviors and Essential Functions policy. The policy states that students must: 1) have the intellectual and academic capabilities sufficient to meet the curricular demands of the programs, 2) be proficient in oral and written English, and 3) possess certain dispositions, behaviors and essential functions that are expected of professionals engaged in clinical practice. Failure to meet the standards may result in dismissal from the program. The standards are fully described in the Communication Sciences and Disorders student handbooks (https://rhs.appstate.edu/academics/undergraduate). Academic standards for retention include maintaining a 3.2 cumulative grade-point average.

Honors Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders

The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences offers an honors program to high-achieving undergraduate students in the CSD major. The purpose of the CSD honors program is to foster critical thinking, research and leadership skills. In order to be considered for the honors program, students (1) must be accepted into the CSD major; (2) will typically have a cumulative GPA of 3.70 or higher; and (3) must have a grade of “B” (3.0) or better in all CSD coursework. Students must apply for the program with the honors program director. In order to graduate with honors in CSD, students must complete two 3 s.h. upper-division CSD courses offering an honors contract (completed with a “B” (3.0) or better) and an honors thesis chaired by a CSD faculty member (CSD 4510 3 s.h.). CSD honors students will typically maintain a 3.70 cumulative GPA.

Communication Disorders Clinic

www.cdclinic.appstate.edu

Gail S. Donaldson, Program Director

The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences is home to the Charles E. and Geneva S. Scott Communication Disorders Clinic which serves as a community-based training facility for graduate students pursuing their master’s degree in speech-language pathology. The Clinic, a non-profit organization, has locations at University Hall and the Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences. Established in September of 1968, the primary mission of the Clinic is to provide clinical learning experiences for students majoring in speech-language pathology. The Clinic is recognized for the outstanding clinical services provided to individuals of all ages from the Boone and Western North Carolina regions. There is currently no charge to Appalachian students for services; otherwise the Clinic operates on a fee-for-service basis. For more information, please call (828) 262-2185.

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Minor

Courses

Athletic Training

Communication Sciences and Disorders