Communication Science & Disorders students study the nature and development of our communication abilities, a central aspect of the human condition. They also learn about communication disorders which involve impairments in hearing, speech, voice, resonance, fluency, swallowing, and language processes.
Disorders of human communication affect millions of Americans and cut across the entire life span. An estimated 1 in 6 individuals will suffer from a communication impairment in their lifetime. Audiologists assess and treat individuals with hearing loss. Speech-language pathologists identify, prevent, evaluate, and treat individuals with communication disorders. The growing number of people with communication impairments reflects a need for qualified audiologists and speech-language pathologists, known as SLPs, to serve the populace.