Communication Sciences and Disorders

(Formerly known as Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences)
Dr. Chao-Yang Lee, School of Rehabilitation and Communication Sciences

Overview
Application and Admission
Degree Requirements
Student Evaluation
Frequently Asked Questions
Further Information
Faculty Endorsement Form

 

OVERVIEW

Goal

The Honors Tutorial College (HTC) Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) aims to provide qualified students with a research-oriented undergraduate experience through individualized training in the hearing, speech and language sciences.

Philosophy

As with all other HTC programs at Ohio University, the philosophy of the HTC program in CSD is based on the idea that education is aimed at intellectual growth rather than static transmission of knowledge. Students are seen as active participants of their education rather than passive receivers of instruction. They are also expected to cultivate scientific ways of thinking in addition to obtaining factual knowledge. Consequently, high motivation and intellectual independence are the qualities expected of HTC students. Compared to the traditional baccalaureate CSD program, the individualized nature of the HTC program requires the students to assume more responsibility in their own education.

Curriculum

In addition to coursework, HTC students are required to complete six tutorials and a thesis. The tutorials, in which faculty members meet with students individually or in small groups, are the hallmark of all HTC programs. The tutorials and thesis allow HTC students to work closely with faculty members to obtain an enriched educational experience. To facilitate the tutorial education, academic resources are available including priority registration, special residence hall availability, enhanced library privileges, research support, eligibility to undertake graduate work, education abroad opportunities, and scholarship availability. General Education requirements are also kept to a minimum to allow students the flexibility to explore their intellectual interests. See Degree Requirements for more information.

Timeline

The HTC program in CSD starts in the fall semester of junior year. Prospective students apply for admission in the spring of sophomore year with recommendation from a CSD faculty member. Admitted students undertake the required coursework, tutorials, and thesis in their junior and senior years. Students receive a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders upon successful completion of the requirements. This design is motivated by a number of considerations. First, completion of foundational courses in the freshman and sophomore years is essential for students to take full advantage of the tutorial education. Second, academic performance in the foundational coursework allows both the faculty and the prospective students to evaluate the aptitude and fit for the tutorial mode of learning. Finally, faculty members endorsing prospective students may serve as potential thesis advisors.

APPLICATION and ADMISSION

Application

The HTC program in CSD accepts applicants from current Ohio University students only. Prospective students apply in their sophomore year. Admitted students start the HTC program in their junior year. In accordance with the on-campus transfer guidelines set forth by the Honors Tutorial College, students interested in applying for the HTC program in CSD should include the following materials in the application:

1. A current DARS.
2. A statement of purpose describing the reasons for pursuing the HTC track, the qualifications and fit for the HTC track, and the general content area for the proposed thesis research.
3. A writing sample.
4. A completed form of endorsement from an CSD faculty member who is familiar with their academic work.

Applications should be submitted by the Friday of the 5th week of the spring term to:

Dr. Chao-Yang Lee
Director of Studies
Honors Tutorial Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701

Admission

Applications will be reviewed by the Director of Studies and the CSD faculty, who will make admission recommendations for final approval by the Dean of the Honors Tutorial College. An interview with the Dean may be arranged as part of the review process. Admission decisions are made by the end of the spring semester. Admitted students officially enroll in the HTC in the fall semester of their junior year.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Overview

The HTC requires all students to satisfy the University’s English composition requirement, complete a series of tutorials and a thesis, and maintain a minimum of 3.5 in overall grade point average (GPA). The School of Communication Sciences and Disorders requires HTC students to complete a minimum of six tutorials, a thesis, and a set of courses designed to provide an understanding of normal human communication processes and an introduction to speech-language pathology and audiology. HTC students are expected to maintain a minimum of 3.5 GPA in CSD major courses.

The coursework requirements are essentially the same as those in the traditional CSD major with a few exceptions (see Frequently Asked Questions for a comparison chart). In brief, the HTC program has fewer General Education requirements. The flexibility in coursework requirements is intended to facilitate the tutorial mode of education rather than to achieve accelerated learning. As with traditional majors, HTC students are expected to complete their undergraduate program of study in four years.
 
Tutorials
 
A minimum of six tutorials are required. Detailed information about the nature of the tutorials is available on the What is a Tutorial? page. The junior tutorials may include, but are not limited to, (1) a tutorial in faculty research exploration, (2) a tutorial in research methods, and (3) a tutorial in identifying a thesis topic and developing the thesis research plan with a faculty advisor. The three senior tutorials are used to carry out the thesis research.

CSD 397T Junior Tutorial I
CSD 398T Junior Tutorial II
CSD 399T Junior Tutorial III
CSD 497T Senior Tutorial I
CSD 498T Senior Tutorial II
CSD 499T Senior Tutorial III

Thesis Prospectus
 
In preparation for thesis research, HTC requires the submission of a Thesis Prospectus before the third week of the first term of the thesis work. The Prospectus should include the title of the thesis, introduction, research question and approach, annotated bibliography, and a completed thesis prospectus cover sheet, available at http://www.honors.ohio.edu/thesis_guide.html.

Thesis

All HTC students are required to complete a thesis. They are expected to identify a faculty member as the thesis director by the end of their junior year. The senior tutorials are used to carry out the thesis research, which is normally completed in the spring semester of their senior year with an oral presentation to the public. Preparation of the thesis should follow the information specified in the HTC Thesis Guidelines, available at http://www.honors.ohio.edu/thesis_guide.html.

STUDENT EVALUATION

Tutorial Evaluation

The Honors Tutorial College requires evaluation of student performance in each tutorial by faculty tutors. During the final week of a semester, faculty tutors complete a tutorial description and evaluation form and submit the evaluation to the Director of Studies, who would forward the evaluation to the Honors Tutorial College.

First-Year Portfolio Review

All HTC students are subject to a formal academic progress review at the end of their first year in the HTC. Students are required to prepare a portfolio to demonstrate academic progress. Details on the portfolio contents and sample portfolios are available at the HTC headquarters. Progress reviews will consist of a meeting between the student, the Director of Studies, and the Dean of the HTC. Input from the CSD faculty will also be considered in assessing the student’s aptitude and fit for the thesis research. The review will determine if a student should remain in the HTC program or transfer to the traditional baccalaureate program.

Thesis Evaluation
 
Upon completion of the thesis research, students are required to give a public oral presentation. Following approval by the thesis director, the thesis will be submitted to Dean of the Honors Tutorial College for final approval.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How is the HTC program different from the traditional baccalaureate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders?

Students admitted to the HTC program will officially enroll in the Honors Tutorial College. Both the HTC and the traditional program are aiming to provide a solid science foundation for future careers in the communication sciences and disorders. The HTC program is different from the traditional program in the inclusion of tutorials, where students are expected to actively participate in one-to-one or small group interactions with faculty tutors. The HTC program provides more academic resources and flexibility in curriculum, but HTC students are expected to assume more responsibility for their own education. A thesis is also required by the HTC program.

2. How are the degree requirements of the HTC program different from those of the traditional program?
 
The following table summarizes the degree requirements of the two programs. The HTC program has fewer University General Education requirements, but HTC students are required to complete a minimum of six tutorials, an honors seminar, a thesis, and maintain a minimum of 3.5 overall GPA.
 

Degree Requirements	HTC Program in CSD	Regular CSD Program
HTC/University Requirements	Tier I English composition	Tier I English composition
	Tier I advanced English composition	Tier I advanced English composition
	(Not required)	Tier I quantitative skills
	(Not required)	Tier II
	(Not required)	Tier III
	GPA 3.5	(Not required)
CSD Requirements	CSD major courses	CSD major courses
	CSD related courses	CSD related courses
	Six tutorials	(Not required)
	Thesis	(Not required)
	GPA 3.5 in major courses	(Not required)
	No hours requirement	192 credit hours

3. Will I graduate earlier or later in the HTC program compared to the traditional baccalaureate program?

 
The HTC program is designed for the same length of study as the traditional program. The fewer requirements in General Education are intended to provide flexibility in course selection and to allow time for tutorials and thesis research. They are not intended for accelerated learning or early graduation.

4. Is the HTC program the right program for me?
 
Consider if the tutorial mode fits your learning style. If you are more comfortable with guided and highly structured learning, you may not benefit from the HTC program. The individualized nature of the program allows students the flexibility to pursue their intellectual aspirations, but also requires them to work more independently.
 
5. How do I apply for the HTC program?
 
See the section on Application and Admission.
 
6. What are the criteria for admission to the HTC program?
 
The Honors Tutorial College web site (www.ohio.edu/honors) provides information about general admissions criteria. Previous academic records, statement of purpose, and faculty endorsement are all used to evaluate the aptitude and fit for tutorial work.
 
7. What are the degree requirements of the HTC program? 

See the section on Degree Requirements.

FURTHER INFORMATION

 
Information about the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders can be found at the School web site (http://www.ouchsp.edu/csd). For further information, see the section on Frequently Asked Questions or contact:
 
Dr. Chao-Yang Lee
Director of Studies
Honors Tutorial Program inCommunication Sciences and Disorders
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701
Email: leec1@ohio.edu
Phone: (740) 593-0232