Is communication sciences and disorders a hard major

Major, Minor

Program Overview

One out of every ten people has a speech, language or hearing problem. If you have a passion for helping others overcome these issues to live fulfilling lives, our major in communication sciences and disorders is a perfect fit for you. With an undergraduate major, you'll be ready for graduate school in speech-language pathology or audiology.

Program Snapshot

Program Type: Full-Time

Location: On-Campus

Program Length: 4 years (major), 1-2 years (minor)

Credit Hours: 24 - 43

Why This Program & What You'll Learn

With this program, you'll learn to prevent, identify, and treat communication disorders and help people on a holistic basis. Communication disorders generally do not occur in isolation, they can be related to other problems as well. Social, emotional, educational, and vocational difficulties may stem from or be aggravated by communication disorders.

To work as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist, you are required to meet each state's professional qualifications. This requires a graduate degree at the masters or doctoral level. At CMU we carefully tailor your study of communication disorders at the undergraduate level to lead seamlessly into graduate level studies.

The minor in communication sciences and disorders prepares students for several career opportunities. These roles are mainly related to health and education or more advanced educational opportunities.

Program Highlights

With the communication sciences and disorders undergraduate program, you'll:

  • Pursue a broad-based curriculum that takes a holistic approach to help people with communication disorders.
  • Have access to our on-campus clinic where you are given the opportunity to observe evaluation and therapy sessions for a diverse group of individuals with communication and swallowing disorders.
  • Have the opportunity to take an elective course giving you hands-on experience working with clients in either the Carls Center for Clinical Care and Education or our Summer Speech-Language Specialty Clinics.
  • Join one of our many student organizations including the Association for Future Speech-Language Pathologists and Speech-Language and Hearing Club.

Careers & Outcomes

With this degree, you can choose a profession such as speech-language pathologist or audiologist. You'll work primarily in educational settings, medical and health facilities, and private practice.

CareerProjected Salary
Speech Language Pathologist $70,198 (Masters required)
Audiologist $70,813
Hearing Screener $40,326

Is communication sciences and disorders a hard major

Is communication sciences and disorders a hard major

Support a Child

Get hands-on experience while helping a child with a communication disorder. As a member of this program, you can participate in CMU Summer Speech-Language Specialty Clinics designed to benefit a child for life.

Undergraduate CSD Program

As a major in our department, students will study the basics of the speech, language and hearing processes. In addition to the major in Communications Sciences and Disorders, we offer a minor in American Sign Language and a concentration in Deaf Education.

A Major in Communication Sciences and Disorders

The major in communication sciences and disorders emphasizes speech-language pathology and offers comprehensive education in the fundamental principles of the field. Students will be introduced to techniques and processes across a lifespan as well as the relationships among communication and culture, social skills and cognitive ability.

A Minor in Sign Language Interpreting

Students who minor in Sign Language Interpreting learn much about deaf people and their language. Employers often see this as a great asset for many jobs in this field.

Deaf Education Concentration

The Deaf Education concentration prepares students to teach children who are deaf and those with hearing disorders. It is a comprehensive program where students learn and experience a variety of approaches associated with educating deaf and hard of hearing children. Students spend their junior year observing and participating in a literacy program with the local Regional Day School Program for the Deaf (RDSPD). Their entire senior year encompasses the student teaching experience. Placement sites for student interns are at the local RDSPD followed by a semester at the Texas School for the Deaf.

Why do we study communication sciences and disorders?

Communication sciences and disorders provides an excellent background for students who want to pursue careers in related areas such as special education, deaf education, medicine, or dentistry and offers an exciting and fascinating course of study for students who simply wish to study the area as a major.

What is communication science and disorders?

in Communication Sciences and Disorders program, you'll learn about communication processes such as normal language development, speech sound development, anatomy, physiology, and audiology. This degree includes 120 hours of coursework, which generally takes four years to complete.

What is communication science degree?

Communication science is the study of the reason behind communication disorders. Work in the field involves the use of various techniques, methods, and treatments to assist individuals with communication impairments, allowing them to communicate at a functional level in day-to-day life.