Communication Sciences and Disorders

Department Chairperson and Graduate Director: Professor Teri James Bellis

Communication Sciences and Disorders
Noteboom Hall, Room 104
414 East Clark Street
Vermillion S.D. 57069
Phone: 605-677-5474
http://www.usd.edu/csd

Departmental Faculty

Professor:

Teri James Bellis, Chair, Ph.D. Northwestern University. Specialization: Central Auditory Disorders, Clinical Audiology; Audiologic Assessment, Central Auditory Electrophysiology and Neurophysiology, Genetics of Hearing Loss, American Sign Language, Advanced Research Methods, Professional Issues.

Associate Professor:

Elizabeth Hanson, Ph.D., University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Specialization: Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Neuromotor Disorders, Communication Sciences, Research Methods.

Assistant Professors:

Kyle Brouwer, Ph.D., Specialization: Language Disorders in Children, Advanced Language Disorders, Disorders of Phonology and Articulation, Diagnosis of Speech and Language Disorders.

Lindsey Jorgensen, Ph.D., Clinical Audiology, Amplification, Aural Rehabilitation, OAEs and Balance Function Testing, Pathologies of Hearing.

Marni Johnson Martin, Au.D., Pennsylvania College of Optometry and Audiology. Specialization: Clinical Audiology, Pediatric Audiology, Advanced Aural Rehabilitation, Audiology Practice Management, Hearing Conservation.

Jessica Messersmith, Ph.D., University of Nebraska Lincoln. Specialization: Psychoacoustics, Signal Encoding, Cochlear Implants and Other Implantable Devices, Anatomy and Physiology of Hearing.

Mandy Williams, Ph.D., University of Nevada-Reno. Specialization: Fluency Disorders, Voice Disorders, Craniofacial Anomalies, Acquired Disorders of Language and Cognition.

Clinical Instructors:

Angela Brown, M.A., University of South Dakota. Specialization: Clinical Speech-Language Pathology.

Becky Cermak, M.A. University of South Dakota. Specialization: Clinical Speech-Language Pathology, Dysphagia.

Jane Clem Heinemeyer, M.A., University of South Dakota. Specialization: Clinical Speech-Language Pathology, Dysphagia.

Elizabeth Develder, M.A., University of South Dakota. Specialization: Clinical Speech-Language Pathology, Language Development.

Solveig Sperati Korte, M.A., Ohio University. Specialization: Clinical Speech-Language Pathology, Speech Science, and Professional Issues.

Tracey Lorang, M.A., University of Northern Iowa. Specialization: Clinical Speech-Language Pathology.

Degrees:

Master of Arts in Speech Language Pathology, Plan A and B
Doctor of Audiology

Program Description

The Communication Sciences and Disorders Department at the University of South Dakota prepares students for professional positions in the specialties of speech-language pathology and audiology. Speech-language pathology is concerned with the evaluation, diagnosis and rehabilitation of persons with speech and language disorders. Audiology is concerned with the evaluation, diagnosis, and rehabilitation of persons with auditory and vestibular disorders.

The department’s graduate programs in audiology and in speech-language pathology are nationally accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. The department also offers a large number of assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, and awards for eligible graduate students in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Program.

Admission Requirements

An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better based on 4.0 scale in all undergraduate courses as well as in the Communication Sciences and Disorders major.
The GRE General test is required. There is no minimum score required; the score is considered along with the other application materials.
Completion of a baccalaureate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (speech-language pathology and audiology) or the completion of core foundational coursework in communication disorders after completing and receiving an undergraduate degree in another discipline. Contact the department for specific core prerequisites.
There are additional requirements for international students.

Library, Clinical, and Research Facilities

The University’s I.D. Weeks Library, the Lommen Health Sciences Library, and the program’s specialized Communication Disorders library provide excellent collections of professional journals, texts, and reference material. The University of South Dakota Speech and Hearing Center serves as a clinical education center for students majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders. This center contains clinical rooms, clinical observation rooms, audiometric facilities, a speech and hearing science laboratory, videotaping facilities, computer laboratory, classrooms, offices, and lounges and study space for students. Additional clinical education and research opportunities are available through the University Affiliated Program in the School of Medicine, individual Mobile Unit projects, the USD Scottish Rite Children’s Speech, Language, and Hearing Disorders Clinic Programs, and numerous off-campus internship opportunities.