Your First Step to Becoming the Health Care Hero They Need
Prepare to serve people with speech, language and hearing disabilities by obtaining your first degree in this growing field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of speech-language pathologists will grow 25 percent from 2019 to 2029, which is much faster than the average. With the Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language and Communication Disorders, you can apply for graduate programs in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, including at Nova Southeastern University.
Our curriculum gives you a foundation in speech, hearing, language and human communication disorders. You’ll learn from instructors who are recognized scholars with professional expertise in areas such as childhood language disorders, voice disorders, adult neurological disorders, motor-speech disorders, hearing disorders, and fluency disorders. This program also involves exciting research and clinical observations in various settings to help you gain a broad understanding of the field. With a B.S. in Speech-Language and Communication, you’re one step closer to a career that is both personally and financially rewarding.
Why Should You Major in Speech-Language and Communication Disorders at NSU?
Apply for Licensure as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLP-A) or Audiology Assistant
Depending on the state, graduates with a bachelor's degree can apply for licensure as a speech-language pathology assistant (SLP-A) or Audiology Assistant. This license allows you to work under the direction of a certified speech-language pathologist or audiologist in a variety of educational and health-related settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, clinics and in private practice. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 56% of SLPs are employed in educational settings and 39% in health care settings.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, speech-language pathologists make an average of $79,120 per year and audiologists earn an average of $77,600.
To practice as a speech-language pathologist, you typically need, at minimum, a master’s degree. To practice as an audiologist, you must complete a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D) degree. Many graduates of our bachelor’s degree program choose to continue their studies at NSU, which offers an M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology, Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology and Doctor of Audiology (Au.D) program.
During your undergraduate studies, you’ll have a number of hands-on opportunities to gain real world experience including exciting research opportunities. Some of our undergraduate students have presented at national or state level professional conventions, such as the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and contributed as co-authors to publications in scientific journals. NSU also hosts an Undergraduate Research Symposium, where you can present your research or analytical work and have the opportunity to win an award.
Case competitions are one of our most popular opportunities for pre-health majors. A case competition starts with a fictitious or real “problem.” Students then work individually or in teams to identify possible solutions and present them to a panel of judges. Each competition provides incentives for both the winners and participants, in addition to earning an ExEL unit credit.
Reserve your seat in one of NSU’s graduate or professional schools while you earn your bachelor’s degree. With NSU’s Dual Admission program, you don’t have to worry about competing with thousands of other students for a spot in a highly selective graduate program. This Premier Program gives you an opportunity to get a head start on your career, so you can start earning sooner.
Your NSU professors are dedicated to ensuring that you have a great academic experience. They regularly review the curriculum to make updates that give you an edge in today’s ever-changing world. As an NSU Speech-Language and Communication Disorders major, some courses that you could take include Neuroanatomy, Phonetics, Treatment of Speech-Language Disorders and Rehabilitation for People with Hearing Impairment. Visit the B.S. in Speech-Language and Communication Disorders curriculum to view detailed course descriptions and plans of study.