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Communicative Disorders

The Major

Speech and language pathology, audiology, and education of the hearing impaired are professions which identify, help, and study persons with communicative disorders. Those entering these professions should possess a strong motivation to help individuals with genetically, physically, or psychologically caused communication problems. Preparation involves acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to assume responsibility for assessment, education and rehabilitation of the speech, language, and hearing handicapped. The Department of Communicative Disorders is committed to preparing speech-language-hearing professionals to meet the challenges of a racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse society.

The bachelor's degree serves as the basis for graduate and professional study in communicative disorders. There are no employment opportunities for holders of the bachelor's degree. A school credential or a master's degree, national certification and state licensure are needed for professional practice.

The undergraduate curriculum is broad, involving coursework on normal and disordered speech, language, and hearing, as well as clinical procedures. All communicative disorders majors cover a set of general studies in early coursework (18 units) before specialization (24 upper division units). Students interested in the communicative disorders program are advised to take college level courses in anatomy, biology, psychology, English, physiology, linguistics, physics, and mathematics. Studies leading to private practice, hospital work, industrial work, work in school settings, or preparation for the master's degree are similar in many ways; it is the area of specialization that serves to differentiate courses of study.

The communicative disorders minor is open to all majors but is strongly recommended for those in special education or the social and behavioral sciences who wish to broaden their competencies in a related applied discipline.

The master's degree is an advanced degree for those wishing to work professionally as a speech-language pathologist, speech and hearing scientist, audiologist and/or deaf educator.

The Bilingual Certificate Program provides the theoretical background and practical experience that will enable qualified speech-language pathologists to work effectively with children from bilingual and multicultural communities.

Positions in communicative disorders are available in many public and private settings working with the speech, language, and hearing impaired and the deaf-blind. Graduates with certification or licensure work in rehabilitation centers, schools, hospitals, private agencies, private practice, industry, research, and university teaching and research centers. Career opportunities are particularly good for minority, bilingual or bicultural persons.