Major Prerequisites

The courses listed below must be completed before starting the major course sequence. This can be accomplished up to and including the summer before starting the major course sequence.

Recommended Undergraduate Coursework

If you plan to apply to an MS/MA degree program in Communication Sciences and Disorders (Speech-Language Pathology) or a Doctor of Audiology degree program, you should review the requirements stipulated by American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) on their Prerequisite Course Content Areas webpage and check the requirements for each program where you will be applying.

• Physics/Chemistry
• Biological Science
• Statistics
• Social Sciences
• Behavioral Sciences

Physics/Chemistry

For the Sac State CSAD MS program, you will need either physics or chemistry from any accredited college or university.

For the Sac State Au.D. program, you will need a physics course from any accredited college or university.

Biological Science

Sac State’s General Education Area B Requirements may not meet the Biological Science requirement. Be sure to review ASHA’s "Prerequisite Course Content Areas" to verify if coursework meets the requirements.

Major Course Sequence

Undergraduate courses are designed for students to begin in the Fall semester and progress in a prescribed sequence.

• Courses in one semester are prerequisites for courses in following semesters.
• If taken in the prescribed sequence, students should be able to complete the major coursework in two years.
• If not taken in the prescribed sequences, students will not be able to complete their major coursework in two years. Students who are not following the prescribed sequence should meet with a department B.S. advisor to devise an individualized program of study before starting modified course sequence.
• Sac State Academic policy on prerequisites states "A grade of "C-" or better is required for prerequisite courses... This policy applies to all undergraduate-level courses." Students who receive a grade of C- or lower in a prerequiste course should meet with a department B.S. advisor to devise an individualized program of study.

Major Elective Courses

The following courses are available to undergraduates as electives and are not required for graduation.

CSAD 101 Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders.

• Introduction to the field of communication sciences and disorders (CSAD; speech-language pathology and audiology)
• Should be taken before starting major coursework.

CSAD 146 Introduction to Clinical Issues and Methods. (3 units)

• This course is not required to graduate with the Bachelor of Science degree, and it is not required to apply to the Sac State summer SLPA coursework or the Sac State Au.D. program. This course, or an equivalent experience, is required to apply to the Sac State CSAD M.S. program.
• This course may be taken in either SEMESTER 3, FALL or SEMESTER 4, SPRING
• Course Prerequisites
  • All four (4) major prerequisite courses (see Major Prerequisites above)
  • CSAD 110, CSAD 111, CSAD 112, CSAD 125, CSAD 126, CSAD 130, and CSAD 145.
  • Minimum CSAD major GPA of 3.2 with no CSAD course below a grade of "C."
  • Completion of Department-approved criminal background screening and immunizations are required (refer to Department webpage for current requirements)
  • Completion of Rapid Regulatory Compliance Clinical II and HIPAA Health Modules to demonstrate proficient knowledge of universal precautions and HIPAA.

CSAD 177 Appreciation of Diversity in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

• Can be taken any Semester, although the course is geared towards semester 3, Fall and Semester 4, Spring students.

CSAD 199 Special Problems

• Full-time faculty often offer one-time or repeating independent study opportunities.
• See course individual semester course schedule listings and department communications.

Change of Major Advising

To change a major to CSAD, students should attend an academic advising session with a CSAD BS Program Faculty advisor. CSAD BS Program Faculty advisors will submit a change of major form through OnBase on behalf of the student.

Please note:

CSAD BS Program Faculty advisors are generally not available during semester breaks.

In preparation for meeting with an advisor, students should first

1. review the information on the Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders webpage (this page).
2. review the Summer 2023 CSAD Undergraduate Transfer Orientation PowerPoint
3. review the Communication Sciences and Disorders sections of the Sac State catalog,
4. review the CSAD BS Course Overview
5. review the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's Learn About the CSD Professions webpage

Major Advising

Students in the CSAD major may meet with any of our CSAD BS Faculty advisors either in individual office hours or by attending our drop-in sessions.

Contact and office hours information for BS advisors can be found on the CSAD Meet Us webpage.

Need help with checking your Academic Requirements Report and other Student Center tools?

Student Affairs has many helpful resources and video tutorials on the Understanding Your Student Center website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Where can I find my CSAD GPA?
   Answer: You can calculate this yourself with this csad major gpa calculator excel fileEnter your course grade in the "enter grade" cell. Delete any rows that contain classes you have not completed. If you need assistance using the calculator, please contact the department at csd-department@csus.edu.
2. I plan to apply to a MS/MA degree program in Communication Sciences and Disorders (Speech-Language Pathology). Do I need to take a PHYS or CHEM at Sac State?
   Answer: You will need to check the requirements for each program where you will be applying. For the Sac State CSAD MS program, you will need either physics or chemistry from any accredited college or university. Coursework must meet the requirements stipulated by American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) on their Prerequisite Course Content Areas webpage.
3. I plan to apply to a Doctor of Audiology degree program. Do I need to take a PHYS or CHEM at Sac State?
   Answer: You will need to check the requirements for each program where you will be applying. For the Sac State Au.D. program, you will need a physic course from any accredited college or university.
4. Does my PHYS or CHEM need to have a lab?
   Answer: You will need to check the requirements for each program where you will be applying. The Sac State CSAD MS program does not require a lab. Coursework must meet the requirements stipulated by American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) on their Prerequisite Course Content Areas webpage.
5. I would like to apply to an MS degree program in Speech-Language Pathology, but I didn’t take CSAD 146. What should I do?
   Answer:
6. How long are my CSAD undergraduate degree and courses good for, if I want to take a break before applying to a MS degree program in Communication Sciences and Disorders (Speech-Language Pathology) or the Au.D. program?
   Answer:
7. Where can I find volunteer opportunities in Audiology and/or Speech-Language Pathology?
   Answer:
8. When and how should I request letters of recommendation from professors?
   Answer:
9. What department clubs and organizations can I get involved in?
   Answer: There are a number of campus student organizations available to students. For a full list, please visit Student Organizations & Leadership. The following student organizations are affiliated with the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
   1. National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA)
   2. R.A.I.N.B.O.W.
   3. Student Academy of Audiology (SAA)
   4. Student Interprofessional Education Organization (SIPE)

10. How do I know who my department advisor is?
    Answer: Students may meet with any of the CSAD B.S. advisors. For a current list of B.S. advisors and their contact information, please visit the CSAD Meet Us page.
11. Where can I learn more about CSAD2B, SLPA, MS, and Au.D. programs?
    Answer:
    1. Second Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSAD2B)
    2. Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA): Contact the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Summer Extension Coursework coordinator, Dr. Tonia Davis, for additional information and resources.
    3. Master of Science (M.S.) in Communication Sciences and Disorders
    4. Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.)

12. I have completed a BS/BA degree in another major. How do I complete a second baccalaureate degree in CSAD?
    Answer: The Sac State College of Continuing Education manages Second Baccalaureate of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSAD2B). The CSAD2B program is designed for those candidates who currently possess a baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than Communication Sciences and Disorders. Please visit the CSAD2B website for more information.

Location and Contact information

Phone: (916) 278-4867

Email:

• General information: csd-department@csus.edu
• Registration assistance: csad-registration-assistance@csus.edu

Mailing Address:
Department of Communication sciences and Disorders
California State University, Sacramento
6000 J Street MS 6071
Sacramento, CA 95819

Physical Location
Folsom Hall, 2nd Floor-Room 2316
7667 Folsom Boulevard,
Sacramento, CA 95826

Parking:
Parking permits are required at all Sacramento State parking lots. For parking information or to purchase a permit, visit Parking and Transportation.

Faculty & Staff
Please visit the CSAD Meet Us page for current faculty and staff contacts.