The undergraduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders is committed to the preparation of students interested in understanding the foundations of communication for typical and disordered speech, language, and hearing across the lifespan. Leading to the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree, this undergraduate program emphasizes education in liberal studies; anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanisms; development of speech and language skills; awareness of cultural diversity and its relationship to communication; phonetics; and a broad introduction to communication sciences and disorders.
Undergraduates with a BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders can pursue graduate school in speech-language pathology, audiology, public health care, public policy, education, and special education. Other options after the BS program include jobs as speech-language pathology or audiology assistants, hearing aid sales, in communications, in public affairs and policy for persons with disabilities, and in other education and health-related jobs related to advocacy and communication for persons with disabilities.
The demand for certified practitioners is continually increasing; consequently, job prospects remain very good. The undergraduate program and subsequent options in graduate study enable graduates to seek employment in a variety of settings and work with individuals of all ages as well as to pursue academic and research careers in the discipline of communication sciences and disorders.