Communication Sciences and Disorders

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Do you dream of helping others live a better, more fulfilling life by improving their speech and/or hearing? Do you enjoy creatively solving problems using innovation and technology? You have come to the right place.

About

The bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) is centered around the basic science of human communication -- including biological, physical, social and linguistic aspects. Students develop an understanding of what happens when communication is impaired, and then they learn how to treat those impairments.

Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.

Anonymous

Why Communication Sciences & Disorders is in Demand:

  • According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are many positive aspects of the job outlook for speech-language pathologists and audiologists, including high earnings and growing opportunities.
  • Employment of speech-language pathologists and audiologists is projected to grow 27% and 16%, respectively, between 2018 and 2028, a much faster rate than the average for all occupations.
  • Due to health care demands of the baby-boomers, a growing awareness of speech and language disorders in children and advances in medical management, the services provided by speech-language pathologists and audiologists will continue to be in demand.

Is it for me?

Are you:

  • a strong writer and good listener?
  • detail oriented?
  • a person with strong critical thinking skills?
  • compassionate, with a desire to help and serve others?

Five Reasons to Choose Scranton for Communication Sciences and Disorders

1.
Strong community.    Discover a close-knit group of people from diverse backgrounds with one important commonality: a passion to help and serve others.
2.
Dedicated faculty.    Faculty and staff members make a point to ask simple but all-important questions like, “How are you?” and “How can I help?” They offer individual help, flexible office hours and friendly open-door policies to ensure successful outcomes for each and every student.
3.
Small class sizes.    You're more than a face or number at The University of Scranton. We keep our class sizes small for a personalized learning experience.
4.
Jesuit education.   The three interrelated themes of Jesuit, Catholic education – a focus on a diverse and open-minded education, moral reflection and teaching for social justice – are embedded in the PCPS curriculum along with rigorous scholarship, teaching, service and community partnerships.
5.
State-of-the-art facilities.   The exceptional Edward R. Leahy Jr. Hall is a modern facility constructed in 2015 with 25 state-of the art laboratories, nine traditional and active learning classrooms, nine group study rooms, more than 50 faculty offices and multiple simulation environments.
  • Preparing You For Personal & Professional Successplus or minus

    You’ll be able to:

    • Master oral and written communication, scientific and quantitative reasoning, critical analysis and reasoning, and technological competency and information literacy.
    • Understand the world in its physical and natural aspects, as well as the philosophical and theological basis for modern thought, faith and belief.
    • Demonstrate competence in your chosen field of study, using the knowledge and ability to address the most significant questions and advancing towards positions of leadership.
    • Employ your knowledge and intellect to address situations in a way that demonstrates a commitment to the pursuit of social justice and the common good of the entire human community.

     

  • What You'll Learnplus or minus

    Curriculum

    The Bachelor of Science, Communication Sciences & Disorders degree will be offered as an in-person, 3-year accelerated (120/120.5 credit hours) or 4-year traditional (120/120.5 credit hours) track program.

    Within the general education curriculum, the student will complete the prerequisite coursework to apply for admission to a graduate degree program in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology or acquire background relevant for advanced study in related disciplines such as education, counseling and human services, gerontology, public health or neuroscience. Prerequisite coursework includes statistics, social/behavioral science, physical science (i.e., physics or chemistry) and biological science.

    During the spring semester of the 3rd year, students (in the traditional 4-year track) would have an opportunity to study abroad if they wish.

    Within the PCPS Advising Center, advisors would guide the student in creating a general education plan of study while exploring the student’s career aspirations and potential academic growth.

    Click here to see the curriculum.

    Hands-on experience

    Students will develop enhanced critical thinking skills, professional and technical oral and writing skills, and problem-solving skills as they engage in projects that examine and analyze current research, participate in clinical case study reviews and develop empirical studies that focus on communication disorders. Ethics of clinical research practices and evidence-based practice will be emphasized.

    Clinical intervention techniques and empirical studies for treatment in various communication disorders, selected from the following, will be covered: articulation/phonology, aphasia, dysarthria, apraxia, voice disorders and fluency disorders. Students will be required to orally present a detailed case study and analysis of a specific treatment approach within an evidence-based practice (EBP) framework.

  • Pursue Your Passion and Make a Differenceplus or minus

    The graduates of PCPS, as well as our faculty and staff, are compassionate and ethical practitioners and mentors, committed to striving for excellence grounded in gratitude, lifelong learning and service to others in a global community.

    One of our greatest needs as human beings is to have a connection with others. As a speech-language pathologist or audiologist, you are an integral part of making this connection possible.

Careers

Where will Communication Sciences & Disorders take me?

The B.S. degree prepares students for graduate study in speech-language pathology and/or audiology and provides background relevant for advanced study in related disciplines such as counseling and human services, education, health administration, health informatics or physical therapy.

Employment Opportunities:

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists work in many different settings including, research, education and health care.

How Scranton Gives You a Competitive Edge

Competitive Edge

The Panuska College of Professional Studies upholds the highest academic standards in preparing undergraduates and post-graduate students for successful professional careers in health and education. We do this in a context of an inclusive and caring community, providing individual attention to students and showing respect for the uniqueness of each member of the University community.

Take the Next Step

Get the Facts

View PDF with Program Overview
& Curriculum

For More Information

Office of Admissions
The Estate
Scranton, PA 18510
1-888-SCRANTON or (570) 941-7540
570-941-7572
admissions@scranton.edu

Department of Health and Human Performance
Hope E Baylow, D.A., CCC-SLP, BCS-S
Assistant Professor
(570) 941-4052
hope.baylow@scranton.edu