Speech-language pathologists and audiologists are concerned with the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and research in communication sciences and disorders. The undergraduate major in Communication Sciences and Disorders is a pre-professional program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.). The B.S. degree is the first degree in a continuum that leads to the Master’s or Doctoral degree. Undergraduate preparation includes a broad educational experience in science, liberal arts, strong oral and written skills, and basic coursework in communication sciences and disorders.
The professional discipline of speech-language pathology deals with disorders of articulation, voice, language, fluency, and aphasia. Audiology includes specialization in the prevention, identification, and rehabilitation of hearing disorders, and prescription and dispensing hearing aids. Faculty are certified and licensed by the State of North Carolina and The American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association. Students must be formally admitted to the undergraduate Communication Sciences and Disorders major. Only students with a wriiten acceptance will be permitted to enroll in required courses at the 300 level or above.
Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all major courses. If a grade of C or higher is not earned in a major course, students will be required to repeat the course. Students who wish to remain in the major need to maintain a grade point average of 2.8.