The Department grants the B.S. degree in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP). With this strong liberal arts degree, the student is prepared to attend graduate school in Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology or related fields. Students not interested in graduate school are uniquely positioned to secure employment within healthcare agencies. Our curriculum emphasizes highly marketable skills: writing, communicating, and critical thinking.
SLP and Audiology are consistently rated among the fastest growing professions. Professionals in these disciplines report high levels of job satisfaction. U.S. News and World Report ranked speech-language pathologist as the 10th best job of 2024.
In the CSD department we encourage a classroom to clinic connection. We have an on-site Speech and Language Clinic where students can observe therapy and diagnostic evaluations. All of our faculty also work in our clinic, using the cutting edge methods they are teaching in the courses.
Most CSD courses are only available to students who are declared CSD majors. However, CSD 101 (Survey of Communication Disorders) is available to students who may be considering declaring Speech-Language Pathology as their major and are seeking more information about the profession. CSD 385 (Multicultural Issues) is also open to students regardless of major to explore cultural diversity issues, and CSD 401 is open to all students who wish to learn about Autism.
Each student in the Department must earn a grade of C or better in all departmental courses. This policy applies to all CSD courses. If a grade below C is received in a required course, the course must be repeated. Prerequisite courses must be passed with a C or better before subsequent courses may be taken. (For example, CSD majors must make a C or better in CSD 411 Introduction to Audiology before they can take CSD 471 Aural Rehabilitation). Complete information about course and degree requirements can be found in the Communication Science and Disorders section of the Undergraduate Bulletin.)
Requirements for Admission to the Junior Class
The main purpose of the undergraduate program in the Department of Communication Science and Disorders is to prepare students for graduate work in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. All students majoring in Speech-Language Pathology must apply to the program as a junior. Admission to the junior class demonstrates the student’s willingness and dedication to commit to the academic standards to apply for admission into an accredited institution such as the University of Montevallo for graduate work. Admission to the junior class will be based on the student’s overall GPA, satisfactory completion of 60 hours required to obtain junior status, and appropriate professional and ethical behavior. Once admitted, a student must maintain these standards in order to remain in the major.