The major in communication sciences and disorders provides students with opportunities for study in the areas of speechlanguage pathology, audiology, and the normal aspects of speech, hearing, and language. Most students pursue this major because they hope to work as a licensed and certified clinical speech-language pathologist or audiologist, assisting clients with communication impairments arising from acquired neurological conditions, developmental conditions, genetic conditions, or unknown causes. Professional clinical practice follows completion of a master's degree in speechlanguage pathology, or a doctor of audiology degree. Some students pursue the undergraduate major as a foundation for a research career in speech, language or hearing sciences. Others pursue the major as a preliminary step toward advanced training in other professional ï¬elds (e.g., medicine, nursing, special education), or as a liberal arts degree that could lead to a variety of different career paths (speechlanguage pathology assistant, educational assistant, line therapist).
The major in communication sciences and disorders can be completed through the College of Letters & Science, or through the School of Education. Students select one program to follow, and should be aware that the two programs differ somewhat in their requirements. Moreover, each program (L&S and Education) has its own general liberal studies requirements. Students should plan to complete many of these general requirements as well as some courses in communication sciences and disorders during their first and second years on this campus.
The department is accredited in speechlanguage pathology and in audiology by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American SpeechLanguageHearing Association (ASHA). Therefore, academic courses and clinical practica in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders may be applied toward clinical certification by ASHA (speech language pathology or audiology), and toward state licensure.

