Health Professions and Related Programs
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
Focuses on the application of biomedical, psychological, and physical principles to the study of the scientific bases, development, and treatment of speech, language, hearing, and cognitive communication problems caused by disease, injury, or disability. Covers language science, hearing science, speech and voice science, biology of communication, behavioral linguistics, psychology, and applications to the development of diagnostic and rehabilitative strategies and technologies.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 5 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Communication Sciences and Disorders, General
- Focuses on the application of biomedical, psychological, and physical principles to the study of the scientific bases, development, and treatment of speech, language, hearing, and cognitive communication problems caused by disease, injury, or disability. Covers language science, hearing science, speech and voice science, biology of communication, behavioral linguistics, psychology, and applications to the development of diagnostic and rehabilitative strategies and technologies.
- Audiology/Audiologist
- Prepares you to diagnose and treat hearing loss and other disorders involving the ear, advise patients on means to use their remaining hearing, and select and fit hearing aids and other devices. Covers acoustics, anatomy and physiology of hearing, hearing measurement, auditory pathology, middle and inner ear analysis, rehabilitation therapies and assistive technologies, and pediatric and other special applications.
- Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
- Prepares you to evaluate the speaking, language interpretation, and related physiological and cognitive capabilities of children and/or adults and develop treatment and rehabilitative solutions in consultation with clinicians and educators. Covers the anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing, biomechanics of swallowing and vocal articulation, communications disorders, psychology of auditory function and cognitive communication, language assessment and diagnostic techniques, and rehabilitative and management therapies.
- Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
- Prepares you to work as both audiologists and speech-language pathologists. Covers a variety of communication disorder studies, audiology, speech pathology, language acquisition, and the design and implementation of comprehensive therapeutic and rehabilitative solutions to communications problems.
- Communication Disorders Sciences and Services, Other
- Communications disorders sciences and services not listed above.
Also called Communication Disorders
Also called Audiology and Hearing Sciences
Also called Speech Pathology, Speech-Language Pathology
Also called Audiology and Speech Pathology, Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
Also called Child Speech-Language Disorders, Pre-Speech Language Pathology and Audiology
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $107,310
- Hiring change through 2035
- 17.9%
- Job openings a year
- 24,900
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career Growing fastSpeech-Language Pathologists
- Median pay
- $97,870
- Hiring change through 2035
- 16.6%
- Job openings a year
- 12,500
To get hiredMaster's degree
Explore this career Growing fastAudiologists
- Median pay
- $95,780
- Hiring change through 2035
- 11.0%
- Job openings a year
- 600
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $23,994 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
This field leads to a mix of in-person and computer-based work. About 34 of every 100 openings require working close to other people or spending time on your feet.
College options
Where to study it
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