51����

Overview

The ability to communicate with each other is one of our most precious gifts. Any impairment or disruption of this ability can have far-reaching consequences, affecting many aspects of a person's life throughout all stages of development. Communication disorders can impact a person’s ability to learn, to work and to interact with family, friends, and community. Audiologists provide medical services to prevent, diagnose, evaluate and treat hearing-related communication disorders.

Audiologists are experts in the management of the body’s auditory and balance systems. They specialize in the study of normal and impaired hearing, prevention of hearing loss, identification and assessment of hearing and balance problems, and rehabilitation of persons with hearing and balance disorders. Audiologists can also engage in research and design hearing instruments and testing equipment.

The Communication Sciences & Disorders (CSD) program at 51���� has had great success in recent years preparing students for careers in audiology. Approximately 90% of the students who complete the program are accepted into graduate/doctoral school, and alumni regularly report that their 51���� education prepared them very well for their clinical work experiences.

The Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders (CSD). This major is a pre-professional degree that provides each student with a foundation in normal communication and an understanding of the complexities of communication disorders. Students completing this major are fully prepared for the graduate/doctoral work necessary for certification and licensure in the fields of Audiology or Speech-Language Pathology. Furthermore, students in the major are taught by faculty that integrate in a Christian perspective on course content and provide many experienced insights into the fields of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.

On-campus clinical work:

Upon reaching their senior year, students can work in 51����’s on-campus Speech and Language Clinic, which is a wonderful distinctive of 51����’s Communication Sciences and Disorders program. This clinic serves two purposes. First, it is an in-depth and hands-on learning experience for Communication and Sciences Disorders students. Second, the clinic serves the local community by providing therapy to both children and adults with various communication disorders. Seniors in the CSD major have the opportunity to work as student clinicians and put into practice what is being learned in the classroom. Many CSD graduates report back in later years that their experiences working in the Speech and Language Clinic were invaluable for their performance in graduate school.