Experiential Pre-Professional Training
Our bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders provides you with extraordinary learning opportunities and exceptional pre-professional preparation. You’ll work with faculty who stand at the forefront of research and clinical practice, while observing clinical practice in our on-campus Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Clinic.
UNC’s Communication Sciences and Disorders program has a widespread reputation for excellence. This pre-professional degree will prepare you to apply to graduate programs in audiology, speech language pathology, gerontology, special education, rehabilitation counseling and other related fields.
Degree Option
B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders
The bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders offers a pre-professional education, preparing you for graduate studies and subsequent certification as speech-language pathologist or audiologist. You’ll study the physical, neurological and developmental factors that influence communication, acquiring in-depth knowledge about speech and language formation as well as auditory perception. The program also covers a wide range of communication disorders and treatment approaches, while introducing you to technical instrumentation and clinical practice.
Your Future in Communication Sciences and Disorders
US News & World Report recently listed both audiologist and speech-language pathologist among its 25 best career opportunities. The growth of America's elderly population, coupled with new technologies and treatment options for hearing loss and speech-language disorders, has led to an increasing demand for trained professionals in these fields. This program also serves as an excellent pathway to graduate or professional schools in medicine, psychology, music, education, public health and rehabilitation counseling.
Consider UNC's B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders if you are:
- Interested in science or a medical based profession
- Passionate about helping people
- Skilled at using advanced technology
- Someone who enjoys working with diverse populations, including children, senior citizens and individuals with disabilities
You'll learn about:
- Physiological and biological components of speech, language, hearing and balance
- Normal speech and language development
- Basics of clinical practice and instrumentation
- Disorders, treatment/rehabilitation approaches and prevention strategies
Sample courses:
- Intro to Human Communication and Disorders
- Basic Audiology
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism
- Language Development
- Fundamentals of Physiological and Biological Acoustics
Current Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Kathryn Bright, Ph.D., Professor, Communication Sciences & Disorders
Julie Hanks, Ed.D., Associate Professor, Communication Sciences & Disorders
The Interdisciplinary Patient Simulation Academy (IPSA) lets you try your hand at working with "patients" in the classroom. Developed by UNC faculty members Bright and Hanks along with faculty in other health-related majors this groundbreaking program enables students to evaluate the symptoms of patients who are portrayed by actors from UNC's award-winning theatre department. The IPSA employs medical school teaching concepts and techniques, enabling undergraduate and graduate students to improve their diagnostic accuracy, patient-practitioner communication and interprofessional collaboration.
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Still not completely sold? We understand. Here's more information on cost and aid and how to apply.
