Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education
Online Bachelor of Science Degree Program
and
Online Accelerated 2nd Bachelor Degree Program

Nationally, there is a critical need for professionals in the field of communicative disorders. A bachelor's degree in communicative disorders is often needed to work as a speech-language technician or to enter a graduate program in speech-language pathology or audiology. To meet this need, the Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education Department at Utah State University offers two different online bachelor's degree programs; one is a traditional four-year program, and the other is an accelerated program for those who already possess a bachelor's degree.

• Language, Speech, and Hearing Development
• Fundamentals of Anatomy for Speech and Language
• Phonetics/Developmental Phonology
• Language Science
• Acoustics and Anatomy of the Ear
• Disorders of Articulation and Phonology
• Speech Science
• Assessment and Treatment of Children with Communicative Disorders
• Language Assessment and Intervention for Preschool Children
• Basic Audiology
• Aural Rehabilitation

• #1 highest-ranked public university among schools with the lowest tuition in “America’s Best Colleges” (Forbes, “America’s Best Colleges,” Aug. 2010)
• #1 highest-ranked public university in the West and #5 highest-ranked public university in the nation in “America’s Best College Buys” (USU places #15 overall) (Forbes, “America’s Best College Buys,” Aug. 2010)
• #234 out of 610 in “America’s Best Colleges” (Forbes, “America’s Best Colleges,” Aug. 2010)
• One of the country’s most environmentally responsible universities (Princeton Review, “Guide to 286 Green Colleges,” April 2010)
• “Best in the West” College (Princeton Review, “2011 Best Colleges: Region by Region,” Aug. 2010)
• Affordable: Tuition is typically $227/credit. No out-of-state tuition is charged.

Careers in Communication Disorders, Speech-Language Pathology, and Audiology

1. What can I do with a major in Communicative Disorders?

A bachelor's degree in communicative disorders will provide you with a foundation in phonetics, normal communication and development, phonological disorders, and anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing. The degree will enable most graduates to pursue entry level jobs as speech technicians/assistants or to pursue graduate studies in speech-language pathology or audiology.

A career in communications disorders is a rewarding field, which requires patience, compassion and attention to details. It involves helping patients overcome and prevent communication problems in language, speech, voice and fluency. Problems may be caused by accidents, genetic disorders, birth defects, psychological issues or developmental delays.

While speech technicians help people of all ages, the pre-school years are the most critical for speech and language development. Many people flock to this career not only because of the direct patient care, but because they get to work with children. Therefore, if helping children is something that interests you, than this could be an excellent way to help kids learn how to speak properly.

With experience and graduate level education, you can further your career into administration and management or become a Speech-Language Pathologist, Speech Therapist, or Audiologist.

2. What is a Speech Technician?

Speech technicians usually hold a bachelor's degree (in linguistics, communicative disorder, speech therapy or other related fields) and work under a licensed speech-language pathologist or speech therapist. A speech technician must have excellent communication skills, interpersonal skills, patience and sensitivity, and be very detail oriented. Speech technician can be employed in speech pathology or audiology private practices, hospitals, schools, and community/government centers. Based on the job, they perform a variety of tasks, such as assisting in hearing screenings, assist in developing therapy programs, operate and calibrate hearing and speech equipment/devices, maintain records and progress reports, and much more.

3. What is a Speech-Language Pathologist (aka Speech Therapist)?

Speech pathologists, officially called speech-language pathologists and sometimes called speech therapists, work with people who have a variety of speech-related disorders. These disorders can include the inability to produce certain sounds, speech rhythm and fluency problems, and voice disorders. They also help people who want to modify accents or who have swallowing difficulties. Speech pathologists' work involves assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of speech-related disorders.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, just over 119, 000 speech pathologists were employed in 2008. From 2008 to 2018, employment is expected to 19%, faster than average. Approximately half are employed in schools, including pre-schools and elementary and secondary schools. Other speech pathologists worked in hospitals, offices of other health practitioners, including speech-language pathologists, nursing care facilities, home health care services, individual and family services, outpatient care centers and child day care services. Some speech pathologists are self-employed.

Median annual wages for speech-language pathologists were $62,930 in May 2008. The range was $41,240 earned by the lowest 10 percent and $99,220 earned by the highest 10 percent.

Speech pathologists must hold a master's degree and most states require licensing. The Council on Academic Accreditation is an entity of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; it accredits postsecondary academic programs in speech-language pathology. While graduation from an accredited program is not always required, it is required by some States for licensure and is mandatory for professional credentialing from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

4. What is an Audiologist?

An Audiologist is the professional who specializes in evaluating and treating people with hearing loss, Audiologists have extensive training and skills to evaluate the hearing of adults, infants and children of all ages. Audiologists conduct a wide variety of tests to determine the exact nature of an individual's hearing problem. Audiologists present a variety of treatment options to patients with hearing impairment. Audiologists dispense and fit hearing aids, administer tests of balance to evaluate dizziness, and provide hearing rehabilitation training. Audiologists refer patients to physicians when the hearing problem needs medical or surgical evaluation.

Individuals pursuing a career will need to earn a doctoral degree. In 2009, 18 States required a doctoral degree or its equivalent for new applicants to practice audiology. The doctoral degree in audiology is a graduate program typically lasting 4 years and resulting in the Au.D. designation. The Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) is an entity of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) that accredits education programs in audiology. In 2009, the CAA accredited 70 doctoral programs in audiology. Graduation from an accredited program may be required to obtain a license in some States and professional credentialing. Audiologists are regulated by licensure in all 50 States.

Audiologists held about 12,800 jobs in 2008. About 64 percent of all jobs were in healthcare facilities--offices of physicians or other health practitioners, including audiologists; hospitals; and outpatient care centers. About 14 percent of jobs were in educational services. Other jobs for audiologists were in health and personal care stores and in State and local governments. The US BLS projects employment growth between 2008 and 2018 to be 25% (3,200 jobs). This growth is primarily a result of the growing senior population.

Median annual wages of audiologists were $62,030 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $50,470 and $78,380. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $40,360, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $98,880.