Communication Sciences and Disorders Department

Welcome to the Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders.

The ability to communicate is crucial to the capacity to have a full life. Helping others manage their speaking and language challenges will offer them pathways to a richer, more rewarding life.

A degree from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders will start you on this path, leading to a career as a speech-language pathologist or to potential leadership roles in research or in teaching in these fields.

Programs of Study

We understand that the path to success isn’t always straight, that’s why Thiel College offers several pathways to help you achieve your goals.

Undergraduate Majors and Certificates

Graduate Degree Program

Speech-Language Pathology (M.S.)

Experiential Learning and Campus Activities

Our undergraduate and graduate students have opportunities to get hands-on experience working with our on-campus clinic clients. The Thiel College Center for Speech-Language Services is a free community resource, offering speech, language, and services since 2020, including free specialized speech therapy services for people with Parkinson's disease.

Graduate students complete four clinical practicum experiences, an externship in an educational setting, and an externship in a medical setting.

Graduate assistantships are offered to graduate students.

Students will have access to Thiel's Health Professions Institute, which applies classroom knowledge to human health and well-being, and guided tours of the unique contributions of literature, philosophy, and the fine arts to the art and science of healing. Students will also be able to attend health professions seminars to provide guidance and resources to assist in your preparation for medical career.

It's easy to get involved on campus! Joining a student club or organization is an excellent way to meet others and gain leadership experience. A communication sciences & disorders major might be interested in the following clubs and orgs:

National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association The award-winning NSSLHA Chapter at Thiel College has attained a distinguished level of achievement in the areas of member recruitment and engagement, community outreach and service, legislative advocacy and fundraising.
Sigma Xi (Scientific Research Society)
Beta Beta Beta (National Biology Honorary)
Nu Rho Psi (National Neuroscience Honorary)

Career Opportunities

A bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders can be a foundational degree for a lot of careers, preparing you to earn a master’s in those fields with a unique background that could still be relevant to working as a therapist, special ed teacher, social worker, occupational therapist, behavior analyst, among other therapy and healthcare roles.

With a master’s in speech-language pathology, you can become a fully certified speech-language pathologist with a state license to practice independently in almost any setting, from hospitals and out-patient clinics to assisted living facilities and schools.

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential, distance) at Thiel College is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, (800) 498-2071 or (301) 296-5700.