Offered by Department of Communication Disorders
College of Education
CDIS Courses
- CDIS 110 - Articulation for Non-Native Speakers of English - 1 hour
- Prereq: none
Designed for students with limited English proficiency. Provides practice in pronunciation of American English and comprehension
and use of conversational language, including idioms, slang, homonyms, prepositions, vocabulary, grammar, and rules of
discourse. Individual assistance will be arranged. May be taken up to 3 times.
- CDIS 188GS - General Studies Portal - 3 hours
- Prereq: freshman or sophomore standing
Students analyze critical issues confronting individuals and society in a global context as they pertain to the discipline in
which the Portal course is taught. The Portal is intended to help students succeed in their university education by being
mentored in process of thinking critically about important ideas and articulating their own conclusions. Students may take the
Portal in any discipline, irrespective of their major or minor. Satisfies the General Studies Portal course requirement.
Students may take their Portal course in any discipline. Students who transfer 24 or more hours of General Studies credit to UNK
are exempt from taking a portal course.
- CDIS 210 - Survey of Communication Disorders - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
Nature, causes and treatment of communication disorders as an educational field for Communication Disorders majors, special
education and elementary education majors, and others who desire a knowledge of communication disorders, speech/language
pathology and audiology as professional disciplines. This course is not recommended for first semester freshmen. Prerequisite
for other speech pathology courses. Observation hours required.
- CDIS 215 - Introduction to Phonetics - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
Vocal mechanism and the International Phonetic Alphabet. Designed to develop skill in the use of IPA and in the analysis of
defective speech sounds.
- CDIS 252 - Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
Study of the anatomy and physiology of the speech mechanism.
- CDIS 261 - Normal Language Development - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
This course provides an introduction to and exploration of the processes by which humans acquire and use spoken and written
language, including comprehension, expression, and development (progression & growth). This course is primarily for
CDIS majors.
- CDIS 311 - Clinical Methods and Procedures in Communication Disorders - 3 hours
- Prereq: CDIS 210 and either CDIS 354* or CDIS 362*
Coreq: CDIS 312* and TE 319
Familiarizes students with basics of clinical interaction including observation skills, rapport, behavioral objectives,
recording progress, and report writing. Provides a basis for accruing 25 clock hours of clinical observation.
- CDIS 312 - Field Experience in Communication Disorders - 1 hour
- Prereq: CDIS 210
This field-based experience is designed to meet the clinical observation requirement of the American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association (ASHA) for majors in communication disorders. In addition this experience partially fulfills the state of Nebraska
field experience requirement for students obtaining a teaching certificate.
- CDIS 321 - Early Communicative Development for the Teacher - 2 hours
- Prereq: none
This is a study of normal and abnormal language development, covering the period from birth through eight years of age. The
course addresses normal speech and language development, types of language disorders and why/how the disorders develop.
Procedures for identifying infants, toddlers and children as being at risk for developing communication will be discussed.
- CDIS 323 - Introduction to Infant Testing - 1 hour
- Prereq: none
This course provides an introduction to diagnostic principles, procedures and tools used in assessment of infants.
- CDIS 335 - Speech and Hearing Science - 4 hours
- Prereq: CDIS 210 and CDIS 252
Introduction to the process of human speech communication. Acoustic and physiological aspects of speech production, hearing, and
speech perception are presented along with an overview of instrumentation in speech pathology and audiology.
- CDIS 350 - The Psychology of Speech/Language Pathology - 3 hours
- Prereq: CDIS 210 and PSY 203GS
A study of psychological factors in human communication, in disturbed communication, in evaluation and therapy.
- CDIS 352 - Normal and Disordered Language: 6-12 Years - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
This class is an introduction to language/learning acquisition, three levels of cognitive or meaning organization and the notion
that language is a tool that represents learning. The course is designed to facilitate students' understanding that language
acquisition is "basic". Guidelines and strategies to be used by classroom teachers and speech/language pathologists to
facilitate students' learning and to compensate for individual differences in learning will be presented. Course covers
identification, assessment, and intervention. For non-majors only.
- CDIS 354 - Preschool Language Disorders - 3 hours
- Prereq: CDIS 261
This course explores the nature and characteristics of language disorders in preschool-age children, birth to age 8 years.
General principles of language assessment and intervention are presented. Observation hours required.
- CDIS 356 - Adolescent Language and Communication Disorders - 2 hours
- Prereq: CDIS 261
Study of normal and disordered language and communication skills of adolescents. Identification and assessment procedures.
Classroom and clinical management.
- CDIS 362 - Articulation Disorders - 3 hours
- Prereq or Coreq: CDIS 215
A presentation of principles and procedures for identification, assessment, and treatment of persons with articulation
disorders. Observation or practicum hours required.
- CDIS 363 - Methods for Language Disordered - 3 hours
- Prereq: CDIS 261
This course provides insight into strategies that educators may find helpful in working with school-aged students who exhibit
language-learning differences. This course is not for Communication Disorders majors.
- CDIS 406 - Adult Communication Disorders - 2 hours
- Prereq: CDIS 252 and junior standing
This course provides an overview of communication disorders in adult and geriatric populations. The course will introduce
students to the etiologies underlying adult communicative disorders and general characteristics of the various disorders that
include hearing loss, stroke, dementia, laryngectomy, degenerative and neurological disorders, etc.
- CDIS 410 - Introduction to Audiology - 4 hours
- Prereq: CDIS 252 and CDIS 335*
Basic kinds of audiometric testing, disorders, anatomy, and functioning of the ear. Observation of hearing evaluations and
administration of pure tone audiometric tests is required.
- CDIS 413 - American Sign Language I - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
Performance course dealing with the expressive and receptive aspects of basic sign language. Designed for persons working with
the hearing disabled, nonverbal, or non-communicating individual.
- CDIS 415 - Aural Rehabilitation - 3 hours
- Prereq: CDIS 210 and CDIS 410*
Study of the objectives and techniques for working with individuals with hearing loss.
- CDIS 416 - American Sign Language II - 3 hours
- Prereq: CDIS 413
This course will provide intermediate instruction in sign language, both Signed English (SEE) and American Sign Language (ASL).
Issues of deaf culture will be addressed.
- CDIS 420 - Research in Communication Disorders - 3 hours
- Prereq: senior standing
This course is designed to help students of communication disorders to become critical readers of research in the field and to
demonstrate the relevance of basic and applied research for evaluation and therapy in speech-language pathology and audiology.
The course will include research strategies and research design in communication disorders in addition to measurement issues and
organization and analysis of data.
- CDIS 433 - Clinical Practicum in Audiology - 1 hour
- Prereq: CDIS 410* and permission of instructor
Experience in administration and interpretation of clinical assessment methods used in diagnostic audiology. Recommended for
students considering a career in audiology. May be repeated.
- CDIS 440 - Augmentative/Alternative Communication - 3 hours
- Prereq: junior standing
A course for those interested in communication options for persons who are unable to meet their daily communication needs
through natural modes such as speech, gestures, or handwriting. Provides an overview of assessment, available technologies and
procedures used.
- CDIS 460 - Independent Study and Research - 1-3 hours
- Prereq: permission of Communication Disorders faculty
Investigation of selected problems or topics on an individual basis. Designed to serve students in Communication Disorders who
desire additional study in their chosen areas of expertise.
- CDIS 470 - Professional Issues in Speech/Language Pathology - 3 hours
- Prereq: senior standing
Prepares students for employment as speech/language pathologists. Provides information relative to federal and state guidelines
by which the practice of speech-language pathology is governed. Addresses rights and responsibilities of speech/language
pathologists. Gives information about work settings including public schools, hospitals and other clinical facilities.
- CDIS 480A - Clinical Practicum in Speech/Language Pathology - 2 hours
- Prereq: CDIS 252 and CDIS 311* and CDIS 362* and faculty recommendation/invitation and instructor permission required
Supervised experience in assessment and treatment of communication disorders. Permission required.
- CDIS 488 - Senior Seminar - 3 hours
- Prereq: senior standing
This course is designed in the traditional research seminar format. The student is expected to develop and demonstrate clear
analytical thinking and competence in oral and written communication of findings from the professional literature on topics of
relevance to the profession of speech language pathology.
- CDIS 498 - Special Topics - 1-3 hours
- Prereq: none
Topics concerning current developments in speech/language pathology. The approach will vary depending upon the topic, the
instructor, and the needs of students. (May be taken twice.)
* This course is the immediate prerequisite. Other preparation is required prior to this immediate prerequisite.
