Major Code BS1941

Honors Tutorial College  
35 Park Place
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.2723
Fax: 740.593.9521
honors.college@ohio.edu
www.ohio.edu/honors

Chao-Yang Lee, director of studies/contact person
leec1@ohio.edu

Program Overview

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.

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

The program does not admit students entering as first-year students. Students interested in the program apply for admission in the fall semester of the sophomore year. The application deadline for admission is October 1st. Applications are reviewed by Communication Sciences and Disorders faculty members and the Honors Tutorial College staff. An interview with the director of studies is expected as part of the admission process. Successful applicants typically demonstrate a genuine interest in research, evidence of academic success in coursework, and strong performance on standardized tests. The personalized nature of the tutorial system occassionally makes it possible to accept students who have not performed well on standardized test but who demonstrate exceptional aptitude in other ways.

Change of Program Policy

The requirements are the same as described in the Freshman/First-Year Admission.

External Transfer Admission

The requirements are the same as described in the Freshman/First-Year Admission.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

Well-qualified students graduating from the program apply to graduate programs in communication sciences and disorders to prepare them to become speech-language pathologists and/or audiologists or to pursue a Ph.D. for a career in research and teaching.

Requirements