Communication Sciences and Disorders

Majors

• Communication Sciences and Disorders (track options in Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology, and the Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing)

Graduate and graduate certificate programs

• Doctor of Audiology
• Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Graduate Certificate
• Master of Science Communication Sciences and Disorders - Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Track
• Master of Science Communication Sciences and Disorders - Speech Language Pathology Track

The Communication Sciences and Disorders Department offers a Bachelor of Science degree with specializations in Audiology, Education of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing,and Speech Language Pathology. A Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with an emphasis in Education of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing or Speech Language Pathology is also available through the department. Completion of the graduate program usually requires four (4) regular semesters, plus at least one (1) summer semester. An online graduate certificate in the Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing is also available. This is a 14-hour program offered to support educators and professionals by equipping them with foundational skills in the area of the education of the deaf and hard of hearing. A clinical doctorate in Audiology is (Au.D.) is also offered by the CSD department. The Au.D. generally requires three (3) years of course work and one (1) clinical externship year. The curriculum for all programs focus on the academic, clinical and research foundation needed for a career in communication disorders. The program is designed to prepare the student to make decisions and to take appropriate, thoughtful action to identify and to meet the communication needs of individuals and families.

The professions

Audiologists are specialists in identifying the presence and extent of hearing disorders. Audiologists are professionally trained in the treatment of hearing disorders and uniquely qualified to offer assistance to children and adults with hearing disorders. These professionals work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, public schools and private practice; where they specialize in the prevention, identification, assessment and rehabilitation of individuals with hearing disorders. The Audiology specialization within the program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA).

The primary purpose of the Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing program is to train teachers of the hearing impaired to function in a variety of settings, including residential schools for the deaf, special classes, public schools and state and private agencies concerned with handicapped populations. This program specialization is approved by the council on Education of the Deaf.

Speech-language pathologists are specialists in human communication, including its normal development and disorders. Speech-language pathologists are professionally trained to deal with communication disorders and are uniquely qualified to offer assistance to children and adults with speech and language disorders. These professionals work in settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, public schools and private practice. They specialize in the prevention, identification, assessment and rehabilitation of speech and language disorders. The Speech-Language Pathology specialization is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of (ASHA).