Communication Sciences and Disorders

Program Overview

UVM’s Communication Sciences and Disorders program provides in-depth study of human communication and guided exploration of the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology that will prepare you to assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults.

• In-depth coursework: UVM provides the breadth of a liberal arts education plus an introduction to typical and disordered communication, the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology, and the health sciences.
• Hands-on practice: You will gain skills and experience through guided speech-language pathology and audiology observations in the on-campus Eleanor M. Luse Center for Communication: Speech, Language and Hearing. Some clinical internships are also available.
• Professional experience: Students are encouraged to pursue research through collaboration in ongoing faculty projects that encompass normal and disordered communication throughout the lifespan.
• Strong foundation for graduate study: Students often pursue a master’s degree in speech-language pathology or a doctorate in audiology.

What You Will Learn

As a student in UVM’s Communication Sciences and Disorders program, you will be introduced to communication development and a variety of communication disorders through classes, observations, and clinical activities, and develop a deep understanding of how communication disorders impact people's lives. A minor is required as part of the degree.

Concentrations

A concentration in Communication Sciences and Disorders is available to students in the College of Education and Social Services.

Curriculum

This major provides the breadth of a liberal arts education plus an introduction to the health sciences, as well as in-depth information about human communication, including opportunities to explore the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology. Students are introduced to a variety of communication disorders through classes, observations, and clinical activities. A minimum of 120 credits, a minor, and a GPA of 2.5 are required for the Communication Sciences and Disorders major.

A Model Curriculum in Communication Sciences and Disorders

First Year

• Intro to Topics in Clinical Audiology and Speech-Language Pathologist
• Intro to Psychological Science
• Applications to Health
• Intro to Linguistics
• Development of Spoken Language
• Written Expression
• Physical Science Course
• Intro to Disordered Communication
• Elective

Sophomore

• Speech and Hearing Science
• Undergraduate Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 or Biology w/lab
• Health Care Ethics
• Developmental Psychology: Childhood
• Clinical Phonetics
• Adv Topics in Clinical Audiology and SLP
• Elements of Statistics
• Elective

Junior

• Intro to Audiology
• Structure of English Language or Syntax
• Cognition and Language
• Measurement of Communication Processes
• Hearing Rehabilitation
• Elective

Senior

• Intro to Cognitive Neuroscience
• Culture of Disability or Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Special Topics
• Elective

Admissions

Applicants must meet the general admission requirements for the university. 

Transfer Student Information Sessions

Transfer student information sessions are open to UVM students and students from outside of the university interested in transferring into any of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences undergraduate majors.

Communication Sciences and Disorders/Speech-Language Pathology 3+2 Degree Program

The Accelerated Master’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders/Speech-Language Pathology is a streamlined academic opportunity for students pursuing an advanced degree in speech-language pathology.

Early Admission to the Master's Degree Program in Speech-Language Pathology

The Communication Sciences and Disorders Master’s Early Admission Program can help save time and money on your path to an advanced degree. Select UVM undergraduates are invited by faculty to apply in their junior year. Approved applicants may reserve their place in the graduate program with submission of a deposit.

Articulation Agreement Pathway

UVM’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders has an articulation agreement with the Community College of Vermont (CCV). The agreement provides pathways for students in certain two-year degree programs (A.A. Early Childhood Education, A.S. Behavioral Science, or A.S. Health Science) to transfer to UVM's Communication Sciences and Disorders program if capacity allows. See the Admissions section of the UVM catalogue for further information.

Outcomes

As a graduate of UVM’s Communication Sciences and Disorders program, you will be equipped to pursue graduate study to become a speech-language pathologist or audiologist, or for a career as a speech-language pathology or audiology assistant in schools, healthcare facilities, and private practices.

Working as a speech-language pathologist (SLP) requires a master’s degree, clinical certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and state licensure. Positions in audiology require a professional doctorate, the Au.D., or a scholarly Ph.D. Employment opportunities for fully qualified speech-language pathologists and audiologists exist in birth-to-three programs, public schools, medical centers, nursing homes, and private practices. The profession is a growing one with excellent opportunities for future employment.

Costs and Funding

Visit the Student Financial Services website to view costs of attending the University of Vermont. Financial aid is available in the form of scholarships, loans, awards, and employment. 

More

UVM is home to the non-profit Eleanor M. Luse Center for Communication, which provides hearing health care, voice, speech and language therapy, and treatment for stuttering in children and adults.

Eleanor M. Luse Center for Communication

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Undergraduate Certificate

The Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLP-A) Certificate paves the way for a rewarding career as a speech-language pathology assistant upon graduation. 

Vermont Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Program (VT LEND)

The Vermont Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program prepares leaders across the health and education professions to serve children with special health needs and their families. LEND provides a 9-month graduate level interdisciplinary training that focuses on the following competencies:

• Family-centered care
• Interdisciplinary collaborative teaming
• Cultural competence
• Neurodevelopmental disabilities
• Leadership 

LEND is intended for seniors with a fall start date. Submit applications in the spring semester of junior year.

Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty

As a student in UVM’s Communication Sciences and Disorders program, you will develop personal connections with professors who are professionals in the field. Many of the faculty invite students to assist in their research or clinical practice.

Our faculty

Research Opportunities

Outside of the classroom, students are encouraged to collaborate in ongoing faculty projects. Faculty research encompasses normal and disordered communication throughout the lifespan and includes the following topics:

• Interaction patterns in families contributing to the development of stuttering and its effective prevention and treatment
• The nature and treatment of autism
• The use of eye-tracking technology to examine the visual attention allocation strategies of individuals with autism spectrum disorders
• The development of psychometrically sound measures of social cognition and of speech production skill
• The role of temperament in stuttering
• Speech development and disorders in children with neurodevelopmental syndromes
• Typical and atypical changes in communication and cognition associated with aging and central nervous system disorders
• The assessment and treatment of communication challenges following traumatic brain injury

Further Opportunities

The Speech and Hearing Club, a certified local chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, offers opportunities for community service and facilitates connections across the different cohorts of Communication Sciences and Disorders majors. Through activities such as apple picking, movie and popcorn night, cookie delivery, a book drive, a letter writing campaign to newly accepted CSD students, and raising awareness of elevated noise levels in personal listening devices, students have a chance to bond while solidifying and applying knowledge gained in the classroom.

In addition, the club provides extra connections between CSD faculty and CSD students. Faculty contact club officers to recruit volunteers and provide unique opportunities such as participating in a panel discussion between students from historically black colleges and universities and students from predominantly white institutions, hosted by a regional chapter of the National Black Association of Speech Language and Hearing Professionals.

The Communication Sciences and Disorders Honors Society also offers professional development and volunteer opportunities for high-achieving undergraduates. Students are invited to apply in their junior year based on their academic performance. The application process includes a review of the student's campus involvement including any research experience, club participation, and community outreach.