Communication Sciences and Disorders

Impairments of communication – speech, language, and hearing disorders – are among the most prevalent of human disabilities. Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology are areas of professional specialization which focus on the development, identification and treatment of communication disorders.

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers a four-year undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree program in the field of Speech Pathology and Audiology, a minor in Speech Pathology and Audiology, and a Master of Science education program in Speech-Language Pathology.

Academics

BS in Speech Pathology and Audiology

To provide a background for students who wish to pursue a career in a related professional field such as a speech-language pathology assistant, audiology assistant, deaf education, special education, or simply to study speech pathology and audiology as an undergraduate major or minor.

MS in Speech-Language Pathology

The completion of this program will prepare graduates for the national Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology, in addition to qualifying graduates for state licensure and preparedness for potential higher education. 

BS in Speech Pathology and Audiology

To provide a background for students who wish to pursue a career in a related professional field such as a speech-language pathology assistant, audiology assistant, deaf education, special education, or simply to study speech pathology and audiology as an undergraduate major

MS in Speech-Language Pathology

The completion of this program will prepare graduates for the national Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology, in addition to qualifying graduates for state licensure and preparedness for potential higher education. 

Careers

Percent Change in Employment 2030

Speech-Language PathologistsSpeech-Language Pathologists29%

AudiologistsAudiologists16%

Diagnosing/Treating PractitionersDiagnosing/Treating Practitioners12%

All OccupationsAll Occupations8%

Sources: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm#tab-6

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/audiologists.htm#tab-6

Employment opportunities for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists are expected to be among the fastest growing occupations. From 2021 to 2031, the projected growth for Speech-Language Pathologists is 21%, while Audiologists is 10%. Speech-Language Pathologists held about 158,800 jobs in 2021 with a median salary of $79,060, and Audiologists held about 14,600 jobs in 2021 with a median salary of $78,950.

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational
Outlook Handbook, Speech-Language Pathologists,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-
pathologists.htm (visited November 20, 2022).
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook
Handbook, Audiologists,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/audiologists.htm (visited November 01,
2022).

More Information

Please contact us anytime to discuss your future.

Stephanie Bradley, Chair
Campbell Hall: 321D
Phone: (304) 336-8100
stephanie.bradley@westliberty.edu

Interested in Communication Sciences at WLU?

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