BA Major In Speech

Concentrations in Public and Political Communication & Comunication Across the Lifespan (undergraduate program for people interested in communication disorders graduate programs).

Information on Careers in Communication Disorders

There are 42 million Americans - one in every six - with a communication disorder. Each one can be helped in some way by a speech-language pathologist, audiologist, or speech, language and hearing scientist.

Individuals working in the field of Communication Disorders possess the training necessary to assess and treat children and adults with disorders such as stuttering, delayed language development, aphasia, voice disorders, speech articulation problems, swallowing impairments, and cognitive disorders. They also select and develop augmentative and alternative communication systems for those individuals with severe disabilities.

A career in Communication Disorders offers a wide variety of work settings including hospitals, research laboratories, rehabilitation clinics, pediatric facilities, nursing homes, public schools or even teaching at the college level. Others develop their own private facilities, often in collaboration with other health car professionals.

Other notes on the Communication Across the Lifespan Concentration

There are a few specific courses that should be considered when taking core classes for this concentration. The American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) recommends that undergraduates begin with courses in psychology, biology, engineering, chemistry, statistics, English, professional writing and the humanities. Some specific course suggestions include: Bio 1110, 1120, Phy 2030, Psy 1010, 2020, 2030, 2040, Exc 4360.

To get more information about the field of Communication Disorders contact the ASHA, Hotline 1-800-638-8255.

For additional questions about the undergraduate concentration Communication Across the Lifespan contact Dr. Mary Ann Romski at 404-413-5666. For graduate questions in Communication Disorders contact Colleen O'Rourke at 404-651-2310.

About The Public and Political Concentration

This area of study teaches how to lead using all communication skills; verbal, non-verbal and written. This concentration enriches natural ability to understand how people communicate and uses that knowledge to communicate more effectively. A graduate with this degree may go into public relations, speech writing, politics, education, public affairs and any business, because all business requires people who are good communicators.

Follow this link for more information on a career in Speech and Communication Disorders.