About

The undergraduate Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) prepares students for careers in speech-language pathology, audiology and other related fields. The entry-level degree for licensure and practice as a speech-language pathologist is the master’s degree, while audiologists complete a four-year doctoral degree.

Appalachian’s CSD undergraduate degree provides students with the academic preparation and clinical exposure necessary for graduate study. Academic requirements include 46 semester hours of major coursework, 3 hours of major electives and 15 hours in an academic interest area. The coursework focuses on normal development of speech, language and hearing processes as well as associated disorders.

In the last year of the program, students participate in clinical experiences at Appalachian’s Charles E. and Geneva S. Scott Scottish Rite Communication Disorders Clinic, BCHS Interprofessoinal Clinic, or other community-based settings. These clinical experiences are designed to give undergraduate students exposure to individuals with communication disorders.

The department encourages high-achieving students in this major to consider applying to the CSD Honors Program.

After Graduation

Following completion of a graduate degree and licensure, speech-language pathologists and audiologists work in a variety of settings including preschool programs, public and private schools, hospitals, nursing homes, community clinics, home health and private practice.

Appalachian has a master’s degree program in Speech-Language Pathology, and many of our students continue in this program.

Career Exploration website

Career information from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

People

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  Alumna Profile: Sarah Stidham ’15

  Stidham is a speech-language pathologist at Duke University Hospital, working with adults to improve communication, cognition and swallowing functioning.

• 

  Faculty Profile: Dr. Jordan Hazelwood

  As a speech-language pathologist, Hazelwood teaches teamwork, along with strong clinical skills, in treating the whole patient for increased health and quality of life.

• 

  Faculty Profile: Dr. Jennifer Buff

  Dr. Jennifer Buff recently assumed the role of undergraduate program director and looks forward to supporting CSD undergraduate students as they pursue their professional degrees.

  As a speech scientist and speech-language pathologist, Buff’s research, teaching and clinical interests focus on speech sound development and pediatric speech sound disorders. She also studies the scholarship of teaching and learning in the context of pre-clinical undergraduate education. She has published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Communication Disorders and Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups.

  Meet more faculty

Minors

An Academic Interest Area or a minor is required. Appalachian offers a Communication Science Disorders minor and an American Sign Language minor.

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

• National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) — a pre-professional association for students interested in the study of communication sciences and disorders. National membership is available to undergraduate, graduate or doctoral students enrolled full- or part-time in a communication sciences program or related major.
• ASU American Sign Language Club — a student organization that raises awareness for the deaf community and knowledge of ASL through events and fundraisers.
• Operation Smile — an international medical charity that provides free surgeries for children and young adults in developing countries who are born with cleft lip, cleft palate or other facial deformities.
• Autism Speaks U — a student organization that promotes autism awareness within the local community, acts as an advocate for people with autism and sponsors fundraising events for autism research.
• Dementia Awareness Club — a student organization that aims to build awareness of dementia in the community. App State students, faculty, and staff, as well as community members, are welcome to attend meetings and events, and to support the club.
• Autism Society of NC student chapter — an organization dedicated to working with the local autism community in Boone and the High Country. It promotes awareness, advocates for and serves individuals with autism and their families.
• Appalachian Neuroscience Organization — an organization that brings together people from inside and outside of the neuroscience field in order to share knowledge and research and make neuroscience a bigger part of Appalachian’s campus.
• Eye to Eye — an organization whose aim is to mentor students with LDs/ADHD, run by people with the same learning differences. It provides mentoring for students in the 4th-8th grades.
• Delta Zeta Sorority — a sorority whose philanthropy is focused on speech and hearing. Funds raised by the sorority benefit, in part, Appalachian’s Charles E. and Geneva S. Scott Scottish Rite Communication Disorders Clinic.
• Scholars with Diverse Abilities Program Appvocates — The Appvocates Club was created for the volunteers of the Scholars with Diverse Abilities Program (SDAP). Members strive to develop a community among volunteers while also creating fun and meaningful events for scholars, volunteers and SDAP staff.

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the University requirements for declaring a major, students must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2 in order to declare their major.

See a complete list of requirements