The ability to communicate is one of the most important aspects of being human. But, more than 40 million people in the United States have some type of communication disorder. This inability to convey one’s thoughts and feelings can take an emotional toll and deeply impact a person’s quality of life. The field of communications disorders is dedicated to the complexities of and science behind how we communicate–and to the care and treatment of patients, from birth to elderly, who need our help with communications disorders.
People in this profession are needed more than ever—especially with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) projecting one in four people will be living with some degree of hearing loss and as many as one in 10 are estimated to have a disabling hearing loss that will require rehabilitation by 2050. No wonder that the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists Speech-Language Pathologists as one of the fastest growing professions in the country.
Read on to learn more about Communication Sciences and Disorders and how you can embark on an exciting educational journey at ACU Online!
What is a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders?
As a pre-professional degree, a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders is designed to provide you with training in the basic nature of human communication. In our B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders program, you’ll learn about communication processes such as normal language development, speech sound development, anatomy, physiology, and audiology.
This degree includes 120 hours of coursework, which generally takes four years to complete. During this time, you’ll be engaging with fascinating topics alongside our top-notch faculty such as:
- Intercultural Communication
- Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology
- Language Development and Disorders
- Intervention for Speech and Language Disorders in Schools
After receiving a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders, you’ll have a variety of options to choose from for your future. The two main paths are going directly into the workforce or continuing on to pursue a Master’s degree.
What Kind of Jobs Can I Get With a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders?
With a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders, you’ll also be able to seek job opportunities in many contexts after completing your undergraduate degree. In fact, according to ASHA, a Communications Sciences and Disorder degree equips you with four core competencies: understanding the science of human communication, development of critical thinking, exposure to contemporary issues, and opportunities to engage in high impact learning practices. These four core competencies are highly transferable to a variety of jobs in all sectors of society: media, education, sales, public relations, health and human services, and government.
Here are several possible occupations that you can pursue:
- Speech-language pathologist assistant*
- Child Care Center Manager
- Hearing aid dispenser
- Substitute teacher
- Behavioral therapist
- Nursing assistant/CNA
- Rehabilitation aide
- Nursing home activity coordinator
- Daycare center teacher/preschool aid
- ASL interpreter
- Child life specialist
*Note: This type of job requires extra training!
Plus, special post-graduate service programs and organizations like Teach for America, AmeriCorps, and PeaceCorps often prioritize hiring individuals with communication-related degrees because of their experience teaching and working with school-aged children.
Want to Pursue Graduate School?
Clearly, a bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders equips you to enter many different career avenues. But it also sets you up for various graduate school options—from a doctorate in audiology to a master’s in psychology to becoming a physician assistant, just to name a few.
The most frequently pursued degree after a bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders is a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, which we offer residentially at our ACU Dallas and Abilene campuses. This degree prepares you for practice as a Speech-Language Pathologist, whose average time-to-completion is two years of full-time study. Careers in this field range from treating persons with various speech, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders to educating individuals about alternative communication systems and conducting research related to speech and language problems.
As you can see, a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders is a highly versatile degree that opens many doors. Whether it’s starting an amazing career or going to graduate school—ACU Online can help you achieve your goal. Visit our website or call 855-219-7300 to learn more about how this program is right for you!