Academic
Programs
CMU provides the academic and clinical experience needed to
become an audiologist or speech-language pathologist. These key features
distinguish CMU's training programs in communication disorders:
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A professional staff including faculty,
clinical supervisors and on-site technical support |
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Extensive clinical experiences and
opportunities at about 30 on-campus and off-campus sites |
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Research
opportunities with faculty members |
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An undergraduate program leading to a
Bachelor’s degree in communication disorders and a master's program in
speech-language pathology as well as a professional doctoral program
in audiology
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Areas
of Study
Through undergraduate and graduate courses, the Department of
Communication Disorders will prepare students for careers in one of the
following areas.
Audiology. An audiologist evaluates people with hearing and vestibular
problems. They provide treatment that may include speech reading, auditory
training, hearing aid evaluation and fitting, cochlear implant therapy,
counseling and industrial hearing conservation.
Speech-Language Pathology. Speech-language pathologists work with people
who have speech and language voice, fluency, and swallowing problems
related to hearing loss, brain injury, emotional problems, and other
physical and learning disorders.
Undergraduate Study
To meet requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in
speech-language pathology or audiology granted by the American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the student will need
to earn a master’s degree or doctoral degree. Therefore, four years of
undergraduate study is the pre-professional training to prepare for
graduate education.
During the undergraduate
program, students will complete university requirements in the
humanities, social, and natural sciences. They will learn about the
development and use of speech, language, and hearing, and learn to assess
and manage communication disorders. Near the end of the four years of
undergraduate education, they should apply for a master’s degree program
in speech-language pathology (SLP), or a professional doctorate degree
program in audiology (Au.D.). Contact the The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College
of Health Professions admissions office for more information. In
the area of audiology, only the Au.D. professional doctorate degree is
offered at CMU.
Graduate Study
Students will be able to earn a master’s degree in
speech-language pathology, or professional doctorate degree in
audiology (Au.D.) at CMU. Students interested in these graduate
programs who have an undergraduate degree in another field of study,
will need to complete a core of
undergraduate courses (approximately 29 semester credits) to
provide the necessary background for graduate work. Completion of the
master’s degree in speech-language pathology takes approximately two
years. CMU was one of the first universities in the country to offer a
professional clinical doctorate degree in audiology (Au.D.). If you
plan to pursue a clinical career in audiology, this professional
doctorate degree program will provide you with excellent preparation
through coursework, doctoral projects, and a two-semester clinical
residency. Completion of the Au.D. may take any of three forms: The
residential Au.D. is designed for students entering the program with a
bachelor’s degree, and takes approximately four years. The residential
program for certified audiologists with at least a master’s degree
takes two years of study. The distance
learning program, also designed for certified audiologists, will
also take approximately two years of study.
