The Communication Sciences and Disorders Program prepares students for careers in the profession of speech-language pathology or audiology. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) evaluate and treat children and adults who have communication, swallowing, and/or cognitive communication disorders. Difficulties in the areas of speech, language, fluency, swallowing, and voice are associated with a variety of disorders, including developmental delay, hearing impairment, cleft palate, cerebral palsy, stroke, and head injury. Audiologists are involved in prevention, identification, assessment, and rehabilitation of hearing disorders. Students who choose these professions should be interested in working with people.
The entry level for speech-language pathology is the master's degree. The entry level for audiology is the doctoral degree. Employment opportunities for speech-language pathologists and audiologists are found in speech and hearing clinics, public schools, hospitals, universities, health departments, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, rehabilitation centers, industry, research institutes, and private practice. These environments allow for considerable flexibility. There is ample opportunity for employment as a speech-language pathologist.
Employment opportunities for speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) include working under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist. Although SLPAs work primarily in schools, there are also employment opportunities in hospitals and private clinics. Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree may work toward meeting eligibility requirements for registration in the state of California as speech-language pathology assistants.
Students are eligible for membership in the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA) and are also encouraged to become members, read the journals, and participate in the many activities sponsored by the local chapter. Information about NSSLHA can be found at http://www.nsslha.org. Further, students are encouraged to become members of the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association (CSHA). Information about membership and participation in CSHA events can be found at http://www.csha.org.