Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education

Overview

Speech-language pathologists work with individuals of all ages who have difficulty communicating, learning to communicate, feeding, or swallowing. This may include infants with feeding disorders or children with speech, language, hearing, or literacy development problems. It may also include children and adults who stutter, have voice disorders, or suffer from speech, language, and swallowing problems as the consequence of neurological disease or stroke.

Audiologists evaluate and manage individuals who are suspected or have been identified as having differences associated with hearing. Audiologists conduct testing to help identify hearing loss, select and fit hearing aids, program cochlear implants, and provide aural rehabilitation.

Students of the Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education program of the Utah State University receive a BS by completing all required courses in the major. To receive a BA, students must also gain proficiency in one or more foreign languages.

Career Options

With a bachelor’s degree in communicative disorders and deaf education, students may be qualified for the following careers:

• Clinical aide

• Assistant or technician in speech-language pathology

• Assistant in clinical audiology and educational audiology

Most undergraduate students go on to receive graduate degrees in MS, MA, MEd, or AuD, allowing certification and/or licensure as a professional speech-language pathologist or audiologist. With graduate degrees in these fields, students will be eligible to work in the following areas:

• Hospitals

• Schools

• Rehabilitation centers

• Nursing facilities

• Home health care centers

• Community centers

• Private practice settings