EIU Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences

Advisement Information & Links

• Advisement Grid (4 years of CDS Courses) - Use if student has fewer than 15+ credits from dual credit or AP (or if student has more than 15 credits but knows will take 4 years for bachelors because of sports or other commitments.  Wise to take 4 years even with more than 15 credits and not take a lot of CDS courses year one if grades/transition to college is a concern that might affect GPA) 

• Advisement Grid (3-years of CDS Courses)- Use if student has 15+ credits from dual credit, AP or community college with strong grades and is considering finishing bachelor's in 3 years at EIU   

• Advisement Grid (2.5-year) - Use for SPRING START after 1 1/2 years at community college.  Allows for undergraduate clinic and more assessment and treatment classes before applying to grad school than the 2 year transfer plan.

• Advisement Grid (2-year) -Use for transfer students who have completed an AA or AS at community college and will start in the fall term to complete CDS major in two years.

• Consider CDS Departmental Honors Program

• Choose an Optional Minor and Electives with CDS Major that: Reflects your potential career interests Builds a deliberate pathway to graduate school and beyond Enhances and expands your options & alternatives within the graduate school application process Gives you clear "back-up" plans and helps build related knowledge & expertise (DOWNLOAD this OVERVIEW TABLE OF OPTIONS here)
  WHAT INTERESTS YOU MOST ABOUT COMMUNICATION DISORDERS/SLP?	WHAT MINOR OR PLANS OF STUDY ARE MOST RELATED TO THIS INTEREST THAT ALSO GIVES ME ALTERNATIVES IN GRAD PROGRAMS OR CAREER PATHS?	WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES WITH THIS OPTION?
  School-Based Educational Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) or Audiologist.  Alternative Option= School Psych or Counselor	Consider a major in CDS with minor in Psychology with intentional electives in the psychology minor (e.g. behavior management, abnormal psychology, etc) that allows flexibility to pursue grad programs for different types of School Support Personnel (Speech Pathologist, School Psychologist, School Counselor) Download Guide	Application to M.S. Programs in SLP or AuD in Audiology Alternative- Apply to M.S in School Psychology or School Counseling programs
  Health Care Pre-Therapy (OT, PT, SLP) Pre-Med, Pre-Dentist, Pre-Physicians Assistant	A major in CDS with required pre-requisite courses & electives for Occupational or Physical Therapy, Pre-Med, Pre-Dentist, Pre-PA keeps your options open.  Download PRE-THERAPY GUIDE Download Pre-MED, Pre-DENTIST, Pre-PA GUIDE If you are sure you want to be an SLP and the  medical setting is most appealing,  consider minor in Neuroscience,  Psychology with Cognitive focus, or Nutrition  instead of the pre-med or pre other tx coursework	CDS major gives clinical shadowing and clinical treatment experience which is helpful for all types of health-field applications. Can apply to Therapy graduate program (OT, PT) or Medical School, Dental School, or Physician Assistant grad programs of choice and have option to apply to M.S. Programs in SLP or AuD in Audiology
  Early Intervention or Family Services	Want to work with young children and families, but not 100% sure you want to go to grad school to be an SLP?  Consider a major in CDS & minor in Early Childhood Program Administration or Human Services Program Administration Download Guide	Application to M.S. Programs in SLP or AuD in Audiology Alternative career as Child or Family Advocate, Day Care Admin, Recruiter Foster Family Services and more. Possible credentialing as a Developmental Therapist or a Service Coordinator in Early Intervention.
  Private Practice or Future Administration	Want to possibly  have a private practice as an SLP or move into administration of a rehab unit, consider a minor in Business Administration  or Human Services Program Administration Download Guide	Application to M.S. Programs in SLP or AuD in Audiology Alternative- Apply to  Regular or Nonprofit M.B.A. Programs, or to M.S. in  Health or Human Services Administration
  Bilingual SLP or Audiologist	Consider a Minor or Double Major in Spanish, French, or German Download Guide	Application to M.S. Programs in SLP  (some have bilingual specialty) or AuD in Audiology Alternative- Apply to M.A. Programs in TOEFL or Teacher Education for world language.  Translator. Bilingual Family Advocate

• Electronic Writing Portfolio

• Essential Functions

• Funding for CDS Students

• Registration Schedule
• Academic Calendar