BS in Communication Disorders

Communication has a profound effect on what we do as human beings and on our quality of life. The Department of Communication Disorders at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is committed to studying both normal and disordered communication. It has a rich history of preparing researchers to advance the knowledge base in Communication Sciences and Disorders and clinicians to work with individuals with communication disorders from linguistically and culturally diverse populations across the lifespan.

The curriculum leading to a bachelor’s degree (BS) in communication disorders is designed to provide the undergraduate student with a broad introductory background to the normal processes of speech, hearing, language, and related functions, as well as a basic understanding of communicative pathologies and a familiarization with various approaches to their assessment and treatment. The curriculum provides the necessary academic preparation for graduate study in speech and language pathology or audiology, which is the level of preparation where professional competencies are the primary goal of course study and supervised practicum.

The School of Public Health and Health Sciences is a national leader in finding ways to maximize public health and quality of life. The school addresses complex health issues by integrating traditional core areas of public health with related health science disciplines, fostering a unique environment in which transdisciplinary research collaborations can flourish. Our award-winning faculty focus on many pressing public health problems as well as cross-cutting issues such as obesity and diabetes prevention, women's health, global health, aging and healthy living, and autism spectrum disorders. The school features numerous opportunities for community-based student internships and experience in clinical and outreach programs and partnerships that promote health and life quality in diverse populations.

The school offers a wide range of academic programs, including bachelor's degree options in communication disorders, kinesiology, nutrition, and public health sciences and master's and doctoral degree options in communication disorders, kinesiology, nutrition, and the five core areas of public health (biostatistics, community health education, environmental health sciences, epidemiology, and health policy and management). The school also offers flexible off-campus academic programs, including the highly-rated online MPH in public health practice program that allows students from around the globe to earn a master's degree in public health, a new, fully online MPH in nutrition, and the Worcester Campus MPH Program located at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.