The Honors Tutorial College program in Communication Sciences and Disorders offers exceptional students the opportunity to study the many aspects of communication sciences and disorders in one-on-one tutorials with faculty members. The program starts in the spring semester of the sophomore year with a tutorial on faculty research exploration and ends in the spring semester of the senior year with an honors thesis. Students complete coursework and tutorials in human communication processes and contemporary professional issues to demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of communication sciences and disorders. Students also complete an honors thesis to demonstrate the ability to produce original, independent research. Students also are expected to demonstrate behaviors that are consistent with the expectations of professional work ethics and responsibility in speech-language pathology and audiology.
Tutorial Descriptions
Tutorials are one-to-one or small group conversations with professors. A typical tutorial meets on a weekly basis for a minimum of one hour. Students complete a tutorial per semester for a total of five tutorials during the program. The first tutorial on faculty research exploration (spring semester of the sophomore year) prepares students to identify a potential thesis advisor and topic. The second and third tutorials (junior year) allow students to work in-depth with one or more potential thesis advisors. The last two tutorials (senior year) are devoted to conducting the thesis research.
The Honors Thesis
The honors thesis is a research project undertaken by students during the senior year with guidance from a faculty advisor. Successful completion of the thesis demonstrates the ability to produce original, independent research and a sophisticated understanding of communication sciences and disorders. Upon entering the program, students take an active role in identifying a topic of their interest and a faculty advisor with matching expertise. Students are expected to develop a thesis plan before the beginning of the senior year in order to complete the thesis by the end of the senior year.
Evaluation
Students are expected to maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher during the program. Student performance in the tutorials is also evaluated via written comments by faculty tutors. A portfolio review takes place in the fall semester of the senior year. Students are expected to prepare a portfolio following guidelines from the Honors Tutorial College to refect on their academic and personal progress. After the portfolio is submitted, the director of studies meets with the student and thesis advisor to discuss the thesis plan and student progress. The completed thesis is evaluated by the thesis advisor and director of studies before being forwarded to the Dean of the Honors Tutorial College for final approval.