Post Baccalaureate Plan

The Post-Baccalaureate Plan is designed for individuals who have an undergraduate degree in an area of study different from communication disorders. The 32 semester-hour PBP program provides individuals with the required academic background (leveling coursework) to apply for graduate degree programs in speech-language pathology that are accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Completion of the University of Arkansas Post Baccalaureate Plan in Communication Disorders does not guarantee acceptance into our graduate program or any other graduate program in speech-language pathology or audiology.

Application Requirements for Admission to the PBP

  1. Application must be submitted by June 1 prior to the fall semester
  2. Undergraduate degree other than Communication Disorders
  3. Cumulative grade-point average of 3.3 in all college coursework
  4. Three hours of shadowing experience in speech-language pathology or audiology
  5. Interview with the Communication Science and Disorders advisor

Admission Process

Individuals must apply and be admitted to the University of Arkansas as undergraduate (pre-Communication Disorders) degree-seeking students or graduate students (international). See details for applying to the Undergraduate Program.

They will then meet with the undergraduate/PBP communication disorders advisor who will review the requirements for admission to the Post Baccalaureate Plan and generate a schedule of studies. This plan will detail in a semester-by-semester timeframe the undergraduate courses (leveling coursework) each individual needs to complete to apply to graduate programs in speech-language pathology and/or audiology.

Applicants will be expected to have met ASHA general knowledge requirements either before or during completion of the PBP. The general knowledge requirements include an undergraduate course in the following areas: Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social/Behavioral Sciences and Statistics.

The applicant must have transcript credit (which could include coursework, advanced placement, CLEP or examination of equivalency) for each of the above general knowledge areas: Appropriate course work may include human anatomy and physiology, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, genetics, physics, inorganic and organic chemistry, psychology, sociology, anthropology, and statistics.

If individuals have completed the general knowledge course work in the areas listed, the program consists of 32 hours of undergraduate course work in communication disorders.

You will start in the fall semester with a cohort group with which you will complete two semesters of courses. No courses are online, evening or during summer session.

Applicants are limited to 6 credit hours (with a grade of B or higher) from another institution. If you are submitting courses for acceptance in the PBP, you will have to submit syllabi and transcripts for review and determination of equivalency prior to acceptance into the program.

Post Baccalaureate Plan Courses Schedule

Fall Semester — 16 Hours

  • CDIS 2253 — Introduction to Communicative Disorders
  • CDIS 3124 — Normal Phonology and Articulation Processes – Transcription Lab
  • CDIS 3213 — Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism
  • CDIS 3223 — Language Development in Children
  • CDIS 3103 — Introduction to Audiology

Spring Semester — 18 Hours

  • CDIS 3203 — Articulation Disorders (prerequisite CDIS 3124 & 3213)
  • CDIS 3233 — Introduction to Clinical Practicum
  • CDIS 4223 — Language Disorders in Children (prerequisite CDIS 3224)
  • CDIS 4213 — Introduction to Speech & Hearing Science (prerequisite CDIS 3203, 3213, 3124)
  • CDIS 4133 — Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation (prerequisite CDIS 3103)
  • CDIS 4003- Clinical Practicum Undergrad.

Summer Semester — 3-plus Hours

  • Complete coursework in sciences and statistics
  • CDIS 4253 — Neurological Bases of Communication (if entering UA graduate program)