What is Communicative Sciences and Disorders?

Communicative sciences and disorders is a field dedicated to the understanding of normal communication processes and the application of that knowledge to the identification, treatment, and prevention of communication disorders in children and adults. The field draws on the domains of linguistics, psychology, biological and physical science to capture the normal processes of communication, as well as the nature of communication disorders and their effects on the individual at various stages of life. Those involved in the field of Communicative Sciences and Disorders seek to understand and minimize the impact of disordered speech, language, hearing and swallowing processes on a person's educational, social, or vocational success.

• Program Description
• Undergraduate Coursework
• Sample Undergraduate Curriculum
• Study Abroad
• Undergraduate Research Honors Program
• National Student Speech, Language, Hearing Association (NSSLHA)

Program Description

Liberal Arts Foundation

Students gain a strong background in the liberal arts through coursework in expository writing, foreign language, social science, humanities, and biological and physical science via the Morse Academic Plan, NYU's integrated general education curriculum in the liberal arts. Through a challenging array of foundational courses offered through Steinhardt as well as NYU's College of Arts and Sciences, the Morse Academic Plan provides a common experience for all NYU undergraduates, exposes students to a breadth of scholarly perspectives, and sharpens critical reading and logical thinking skills.

A Focus on Communicative Sciences and Disorders

Students begin taking specialization coursework in Communicative Sciences and Disorders in their first semester of study with the Introduction to Communicative Disorderscourse sequence. The Bachelor of Science degree program provides a firm foundation in communication disorders across the life span as preparation for specialized graduate study in speech-language pathology, audiology, or speech and hearing science. Students develop an extensive knowledge base in anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanism; normal speech, language, and hearing development; and disorders that can affect the ability to communicate, such as neurogenic communication disorders in adults, child language disorders, and articulation disorders. Additional coursework from related fields such as American Sign Language, psychology, linguistics, and statistics is integrated into the program, and a generous number of liberal arts and elective courses allow students to explore areas of interest of their own choosing.

Throughout the program, students have the opportunity to pair their theoretical knowledge with practical application through structured observation in a variety of settings. Students begin observing speech and language services in our on-campus, state-of-the-art speech language pathology and audiology clinic. This experience continues in schools, child development centers, Head Start programs, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and skilled nursing facilities throughout the metropolitan area.

Elective and Minors

The major in Communicative Sciences and Disorders enables students to explore a wide range of interests through electives. Students may choose from hundreds of courses offered across the University, or they may deepen their understanding of a specific field by declaring a minor in an area of study of particular interest, such as linguistics, psychology, sociology, public health, nutrition, American Sign Language, foreign language, or business.

Careers in Communicative Sciences and Disorders

The American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) has designated the master's degree as the entry level degree for certification as a speech-language pathologist and a Doctor of Audiology degree (Au.D.) as the entry level credential for practicing as an audiologist. Students who complete our baccalaureate program in Communicative Sciences and Disorders may choose to continue on to graduate study as preparation for a rewarding career as a clinical practitioner in either speech language pathology or audiology.

Speech-Language Pathology
Graduates from the Bachelor of Science program are well-equipped to begin graduate study in speech-language pathology. Speech-language pathologists work directly with infants, children, adolescents, adults and the elderly to diagnose and treat communication and swallowing disorders in varied settings such as schools, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, early intervention settings, universities, and private practice. Speech-language pathologists diagnose and remediate disorders that individuals may be born with or demonstrate as children, such as cleft palate, stuttering, or delayed language or speech development. They also diagnose and treat those disorders that may be acquired through a brain injury, stroke, or neurological disease such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease.

Demand for speech-language pathologists is significant and continues to grow. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, speech-language pathology ranks in the top 20 large-growth occupations that require a master's or professional degree projected through 2014. An 11% increase in employment of speech-language pathologists is projected from 2006-2016.

Audiology
Graduates from the Bachelor of Science program in Communicative Sciences and Disorders are well-equipped to begin a Doctor of Audiology program. Audiologists are professionals who diagnose hearing, balance, and auditory processing disorders and provide audiologic rehabilitation services such as hearing aid and cochlear implant evaluation and monitoring. Audiologists work with individuals across the lifespan, including performing newborn infant hearing screenings in hospitals and evaluating patients in physician's offices, skilled nursing facilities, child development centers and public schools and university clinics. Audiologists also specialize in cochlear implants, serving as primary members of cochlear implant teams.

Audiology was recently selected by The U.S. News and World Report as one of its "30 Best Careers of 2009." The need for audiologists is also expected to grow by 10% in the coming years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Both speech-language pathology and audiology are certified by the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA), the national professional, scientific, and credentialing organization for speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language and hearing scientists. http://www.asha.org/

 Undergraduate Coursework

Sample Undergraduate Curriculum

  Study Abroad

Study abroad options abound for NYU undergraduate students who wish to broaden their exposure to other cultures and gain a global perspective.  Students can also develop or enhance their foreign language proficiency.  (www.nyu.edu/studyabroad/)

NYU Global Sites

Communicative Sciences and Disorders majors may study for one semester or a summer at any of NYU's global study sites in Berlin, Buenos Aires, Florence, Ghana, London, Madrid,  Paris, Prague, Shanghai, and Tel Aviv. Students in Communicative Sciences and Disorders fulfill general education requirements, foreign language, and liberal arts elective coursework while attending NYU Global sites.  Many students apply coursework taken abroad to requirements for a minor in a chosen subject area.

Dean's Research Travel Colloquia

This opportunity is available to outstanding Steinhardt sophomores, juniors, and seniors and incorporates travel abroad during Winter or Spring breaks into an interdisciplinary research project led by Steinhardt faculty.  Recent colloquia have traveled to Berlin to examine Germany twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, participated in an ecological trip to Athens, Greece to study environmental issues and global citizenship, and investigated education in the context of social change in Accra, Ghana.

Undergraduate Research Honors Program

The Undergraduate Honors Research Program in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders is an opportunity for students to challenge themselves intellectually and engage in research related to the field of speech language pathology. At the completion of the sophomore or junior years, students with superior academic records (grade point average of 3.5 or higher) can apply to this research program. Students will have the opportunity to participate in an Independent Study (1-2 credits) with a mentor in the department. In conjunction with the Independent Study, students will be invited to participate in selected sessions of the Research Colloquium offered through the department. Students will choose a specific area of research interest and will be provided with the opportunity to achieve the following objectives:

• Critically evaluate research
• Identify potential research topics
• Plan and conduct an independent research project or work with their mentor on an existing project
• Write an honors thesis based on the above which could be submitted for publication

If you are interested in applying to the Undergraduate Honors Research Program, please complete the attached application and email it to Dr. Maria Grigos atmaria.grigos@nyu.edu.

NYU Chapter of the National Student Speech, Language, and Hearing Association (NSSLHA)

Mission: The NYU Chapter of the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association (NSSLHA)  is a student-run organization dedicated to encouraging professional interest among students in the study of human communication sciences and disorders, providing continuity for the dissemination of professional information, and providing a vehicle for student representation in matters of professional concern.  NSSLHA hosts meetings, community service opportunities, and social activities throughout the academic year to provide a social and educational environment to promote interaction among students with a common interest in communication sciences and disorders.  The local chapter also serves as a liaison with the national organization.