Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

The discipline of communication sciences and disorders involves the prevention, evaluation, management, and study of human communication and its disorders. The undergraduate program is pre-professional in nature and reflects the scientific foundations of the discipline. The three primary goals of the undergraduate program are: 1) to provide students with the necessary preparation for graduate study in speech-language pathology, audiology, or related fields such as special education, social work, and health services administration; 2) to seek careers in health and human services; and 3) to obtain licensure and employment as speech-language pathology or audiology assistants.

The graduate program prepares speech-language pathologists for work with children and adults experiencing a variety of communication disorders in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, community speech, language and hearing centers, and physician’s offices. The graduate program has been accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association since 1986. Students must plan their major or minor in consultation with a departmental advisor to meet their individual interests and career objectives.

In addition to course work in communication sciences and disorders, the department offers an array of courses in American Sign Language and related topics.