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School of Medicine

Communication Sciences and Disorders, BS

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists are professionals who assess and treat individuals with speech, language or hearing disorders across the lifespan to improve participation in daily activities.

Our pre-professional undergraduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) lays the groundwork for graduate study in these in-demand fields, with many students choosing to continue their studies in one of our accredited graduate programs.

Well-qualified incoming freshmen can join our CSD Early Assurance Program, which provides guaranteed graduate admission to participating CSD students who maintain academic eligibility and successfully complete admission requirements for their intended program.

Your Degree Plan The WVU Difference Learn by Doing Careers and Outcomes Admission Requirements Tuition and Aid Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Aerial view of Martin and Woodburn Halls

Combine science with hands-on experience for a flexible, rewarding career helping to improve the lives of persons who have communication disorders.

Our curriculum provides a strong foundation in the acoustic, psychoacoustic and neurological principles of speech, language and hearing. Our core courses provide you with exposure to both professional pathways, audiology and speech-language pathology. Elective courses allow you to learn more about your intended career.

Tailor this major to your interests by taking one of these courses as you pursue your degree:

  • CSAD 200:
    Introduction to Communication Disorders

    Survey of speech, language, hearing, and swallowing disorders. Introduction to the discipline of communication sciences and disorders and the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology.

  • CSAD 234:
    Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing

    An overview of anatomy, physiology, and neural pathways for the speech and hearing mechanisms. The respiration, phonation, articulation, and resonance systems will be highlighted for speech production. The outer ear, middle, and inner ear will be highlighted for hearing perception.

  • CSAD 342:
    Introduction to Audiology

    Introduction to the profession of audiology; principles of hearing screening, audiological assessment and treatment; disorders of hearing; audiogram interpretation.

  • CSAD 426:
    Introduction to Speech Disorders

    Introduction to the speech disorders of articulation, fluency, resonance and voice. Characteristics and course of treatment for the different disorder types will be discussed across the lifespan.

  • CSAD 285:
    Introduction to Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders

    Overview of scientific principles underlying basic and applied research methods in communication sciences and disorders with a focus on developing foundations needed to read, interpret, and evaluate properties of published research reports.

  • CSAD 334:
    Neuroscience in Communication Sciences and Disorders

    Expansion of the fundamental concepts related to anatomy and physiology of the central nervous system as they relate to speech, language, hearing, swallowing, vestibular, and cognitive function.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations for first- and second-year students and Honors EXCEL for third- and fourth-year students.

    Explore Honors

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

Rankings
  • Ranked
    11
    Speech-language pathologists' ranking in Best Healthcare Jobs (U.S. News & World Report, 2023)
  • Ranked
    23
    Audiologists' ranking in Best Healthcare Jobs (U.S. News & World Report, 2023)
  • Ranked
    31
    Speech-language pathologists' ranking in The 100 Best Jobs (U.S. News & World Report, 2023)
  • Ranked
    90
    Audiologists' ranking in Best Healthcare Jobs (U.S. News & World Report, 2023)
  • Students gain experience through clinical rotations, both on- and off-campus, including in WVU’s state-of-the-art Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic, which opened in 2022.
  • WVU is the only West Virginia school to offer a comprehensive portfolio of programs: a BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders, a Communication Sciences minor, MS programs (campus-based and online) in Speech-Language Pathology and a doctoral program in Audiology.
  • As part of the WVU Health Sciences Center, CSD students enjoy invaluable opportunities to engage in interprofessional education, learning how to partner effectively with professionals-in-training in nursing, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, public health and allied health fields.
Scholarships

Over 92% of WVU freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2022-2023).

Learn more

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

  • WVU’s new Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic provides undergraduate CSD students the opportunity to help residents of our local communities while gaining invaluable clinical and research experience.
  • In addition to our on-campus clinic, we maintain relationships with off-campus clinical and externship sites where students obtain clinical hours working with a wide range of individuals with communication disorders. These facilities include a variety of local and regional hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, private practices and nursing homes.
  • Graduates who continue into our online MS in Speech-Language Pathology program are employed as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLP-A) by one of our partner organizations, typically the WV Department of Education. This unique program allows students to gain additional practical experience while pursuing the credential needed to practice as a Speech-Language Pathologist.

Before graduating, all undergraduates in this major complete an academic project (or "capstone") to demonstrate their research, communication and critical thinking skills.

All CSD students complete a senior capstone experience, engaging in a variety of written, oral and analytical activities related to the field. Titles from recent capstone projects are included below:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tinnitus.
  • JASPER Compared to ESDM.
  • Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for Dysphagia.
  • Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS).
  • Ultrasound Visual Biofeedback for Speech Sound Disorders.

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Speech-Language Pathology Assistants

Assist speech-language pathologists in the assessment and treatment of speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. Implement speech and language programs or activities as planned and directed by speech-language pathologists. Monitor the use of alternative communication devices and systems.

Median Salary: $40,420

Possible job titles include: Speech - Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA).

Explore Career

Speech-Language Pathologists

Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language problems.

Has a Bright Outlook , May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $84,140

Possible job titles include: Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP).

Explore Career

Audiologists

Assess and treat persons with hearing and related disorders. May fit hearing aids and provide auditory training. May perform research related to hearing problems.

Has a Bright Outlook , May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $82,680

Possible job titles include: Audiologist.

Explore Career

Hearing Aid Specialists

Select and fit hearing aids for customers. Administer and interpret tests of hearing. Assess hearing instrument efficacy. Take ear impressions and prepare, design, and modify ear molds.

Has a Bright Outlook , May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $59,020

Possible job titles include: Audioprosthologist.

Explore Career

Career options

The undergraduate CSD major immerses you in coursework related to speech, language, and hearing systems, preparing you to apply to graduate programs in speech-language pathology or audiology.

Some alums opt to pursue immediate employment, as an audiology or speech-language pathology assistant, for example, or to work in adjacent fields like advocacy or public policy.

Where our graduates are working

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

  • Beltone
  • Bon Secours Health System
  • Encompass Health
  • Genesis Rehab Services
  • Kanawha County Schools
  • Monongalia County Schools
  • University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • WV Birth to Three
  • WVU Medicine

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to WVU's Communication Sciences and Disorders major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2024-25 academic year. They also must meet one of the following admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

  • Requirements for direct admission to the Communication Sciences and Disorders:

    You must meet the following qualifications:

        ACT Composite: 23
        SAT EBRW and Math: 1140

  • Requirements for direct admission to the Communication Sciences and Disorders for Test Optional Students:

    You must meet the following qualifications:

        High School GPA: 3

Tuition and Aid

How much does Communication Sciences and Disorders at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

View Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Find Scholarships

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

Visit the Net Price Calculator

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Communication Sciences and Disorders major is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

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