CSD Undergraduate Program

The undergraduate communication sciences and disorders majors are pre-professional in nature and are strongly recommended for students planning to pursue a graduate degree and certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Students receive clinical experience under the supervision of ASHA certified speech-language pathologists. All students participating in clinical activities must exhibit the core functions (pdf) necessary to become a speech-language pathologist or audiologist.

Students may choose to use the undergraduate CSD degree as an entry point into graduate education in areas such as speech-language pathology, audiology, deaf education, special education, reading, second language acquisition or to work as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant. If students wish to remain at Harding to obtain a graduate degree, they must apply for admission to the Harding graduate program, even if they earned an undergraduate degree from Harding. The application process and requirements are specified elsewhere in this online resource and in the CSD handbook pdf.

Programs Available

The Bachelor of Arts in communication sciences & disorders prepares students to pursue advanced degrees in speech-language pathology, audiology, speech and hearing science, and more through excellent academic and clinical training. Options: Clinical and non-clinical tracks.

Speech-language pathology assistants provide important assistance to speech-language pathologists. While working under the supervision of the SLP, the SLPA can provide various aspects of patient service including direct patient care, screening and testing without interpretation, recordkeeping and material preparation. Learn more about the B.A. In Speech-Language Pathology Assistant.

The American Sign Language (ASL) concentration will provide training for students who wish to learn basic American Sign Language and understand Deaf Culture. This concentration is appropriate for students across all majors and may be especially valuable for those planning to enter careers in all areas of communication, customer relations, education or health sciences. Students who complete this concentration will be in a position to communicate with ASL users on a basic level. This program will not prepare students to become interpreters

This certificate can also be added as a minor for on-ground students and would allow you to enter the workforce as an SLPA after graduation, depending on relevant state licensure requirements. While we continue to offer our on-ground bachelor’s degree in SLPA, the online option is ideal for professionals who want to refresh their skills and pivot to a new career.

For more information about this new online certificate, contact csd@harding.edu or complete this request for information form.

If you are interested in learning more about communication sciences and disorders but do not want to pursue a graduate degree, this minor is for you. It is specifically designed for students earning degrees in fields such as social work, family and consumer sciences, children's ministry, cognitive neuroscience, psychology and education. The courses do not prepare a student to enter graduate school in speech-language pathology and audiology but provide coursework that will be beneficial in the workplace.

For more information about this new online certificate, contact csd@harding.edu or complete this request for information form.

This minor is ideal for students in fields other than communication sciences and disorders who may be interested in pursuing a graduate degree in CSD. The courses in this minor specifically encompass the classes required for students to enter most graduate programs in speech-language pathology and audiology.

For more information about this new online certificate, contact csd@harding.edu or complete this request for information form.

Fall Semester:

  • CSD 1150 - Normal Speech and Language Development
  • CSD 1240 - Introduction to Communication Sciences & Disorders
  • CSD 2900 - Phonetics
  • CSD 3040 - Aural Rehabilitation

Spring Semester:

  • CSD 1000 - Introduction to Practice for Speech Language Pathology Assistant
  • CSD 3250 - Phonological and Articulation Disorders
  • CSD 3020 - Audiology
  • CSD 3260 - Language Disorders
  • CSD 4050 - Introduction to Neurogenic Cognitive Disorders

Summer Semester:

  • CSD 4000 - Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Language
  • CSD 4010 - Speech and Hearing Science

CSD 4100 and 4200 (Fieldwork for SLPAs) are available upon sufficient demand. Please contact csd@harding.edu with questions.

Please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to enroll in any of these courses as a non-degree-seeking student. Please consult the University's academic catalog to determine the online availability of courses that meet the requirements for statistics, biological science, physics or chemistry and social/behavioral science.

Contact Information



Mailing address:
Harding University
Communication Sciences and Disorders
HU 10872
Searcy, AR 72149-5615

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