Communication Sciences and Disorders, BS
Our pre-professional undergraduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders lays the groundwork for graduate study in these in-demand fields, with many students choosing to continue their studies in one of our accredited graduate programs.
Well-qualified incoming freshmen can join our CSD Early Assurance Program, which provides guaranteed graduate admission to participating CSD students who maintain academic eligibility and successfully complete admission requirements for their intended program.
Your Degree Plan
Introduction to Communication Disorders
CSAD 200
Survey of speech, language, hearing, and swallowing disorders. Introduction to the discipline of communication sciences and disorders and the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology.
Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing
CSAD 234
An overview of anatomy, physiology, and neural pathways for the speech and hearing mechanisms. The respiration, phonation, articulation, and resonance systems will be highlighted for speech production. The outer ear, middle, and inner ear will be highlighted for hearing perception.
Introduction to Audiology
CSAD 342
Introduction to the profession of audiology; principles of hearing screening, audiological assessment and treatment; disorders of hearing; audiogram interpretation.
Introduction to Speech Disorders
CSAD 426
Introduction to the speech disorders of articulation, fluency, resonance and voice. Characteristics and course of treatment for the different disorder types will be discussed across the lifespan.
Introduction to Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders
CSAD 285
Overview of scientific principles underlying basic and applied research methods in communication sciences and disorders with a focus on developing foundations needed to read, interpret, and evaluate properties of published research reports.
Neuroscience in Communication Sciences and Disorders
CSAD 334
Expansion of the fundamental concepts related to anatomy and physiology of the central nervous system as they relate to speech, language, hearing, swallowing, vestibular, and cognitive function.
Honors
Expand your curiosity and enhance your curriculum through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations and Honors in Action.
The WVU Difference
What sets this program apart?
- Students gain experience through clinical rotations, both on- and off-campus, including in WVU’s state-of-the-art Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic, which opened in 2022.
- WVU is the only West Virginia school to offer a comprehensive portfolio of programs: a BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders, a Communication Sciences minor, MS programs (campus-based and online) in Speech-Language Pathology, and a doctoral program in Audiology.
- As part of the WVU Health Sciences Center, CSD students enjoy invaluable opportunities to engage in interprofessional education, learning how to partner effectively with professionals-in-training in nursing, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, public health, and allied health fields.
- According to U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 rankings, speech-language pathologist ranks 9th in 100 Best Jobs and 3rd in Best Healthcare Jobs. Audiologist ranks 37th in Best Healthcare Jobs.
Learn by Doing
Get involved outside the classroom.
- The WVU Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic allows undergraduate CSD students to help residents of our local communities while gaining invaluable clinical and research experience.
- In addition to our on-campus clinic, we maintain relationships with off-campus clinical and externship sites where students obtain clinical hours working with a wide range of individuals with communication disorders. These facilities include a variety of local and regional hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, private practices, and nursing homes.
- Graduates who continue into our online MS in Speech-Language Pathology program are employed as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant by 1 of our partner organizations, typically the West Virginia Department of Education. This unique program allows students to gain additional practical experience while pursuing the credential needed to practice as a speech-language pathologist.
View all of the student organizations you can join.
All CSD students complete a senior capstone experience, engaging in a variety of written, oral, and analytical activities related to the field. Titles from recent capstone projects are included below:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tinnitus
- JASPER Compared to ESDM
- Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for Dysphagia
- Picture Exchange Communication System
- Ultrasound Visual Biofeedback for Speech Sound Disorders
Careers and Outcomes
How does this degree prepare students for a career?
Speech-Language Pathologists
Has a Bright Outlook
May Require Graduate Degree
Median Salary: $95,410
Possible Job Titles: Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist (Bilingual SLP), Speech and Language Specialist, Speech Pathologist, Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)
Audiologists
Has a Bright Outlook
May Require Graduate Degree
Median Salary: $92,124
Possible Job Titles: Audiologist, Audiology Doctor (AUD), Clinical Audiologist, Educational Audiologist
Hearing Aid Specialists
Has a Bright Outlook
Median Salary: $61,560
Possible Job Titles: Hearing Aid Specialist, Hearing Instrument Dispenser, Hearing Instrument Specialist (HIS), Hearing Specialist
Speech-Language Pathology Assistants
Has a Bright Outlook
Median Salary: $46,050
Possible Job Titles: Communication Assistant, Speech Pathologist Assistant, Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant (SLPA), Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA)
Career options
The undergraduate CSD major immerses you in coursework related to speech, language, and hearing systems, preparing you to apply to graduate programs in speech-language pathology or audiology.
Some alums opt to pursue immediate employment, as an audiology or speech-language pathology assistant, for example, or to work in adjacent fields like advocacy or public policy.
Where our graduates work
Graduates from this major have gone to work at:
- Beltone
- Bon Secours Health System
- Encompass Health
- Genesis Rehab Services
- Kanawha County Schools
- Monongalia County Schools
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- WV Birth to Three
- WVU Medicine
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the Communication Sciences and Disorders major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.
Requirements for direct admission to the Communication Sciences and Disorders
You must meet the following requirements:
- High School GPA: 2.5
- ACT Composite: 23
- SAT EBRW and Math: 1150
Requirements for direct admission to the Communication Sciences and Disorders for Test Optional Students:
You must meet the following requirements:
- High School GPA: 3.0
Tuition and Aid
How much does Communication Sciences and Disorders at WVU cost? And how can you save?
Tuition and Fees
Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.
Ways to Save
Beyond scholarships, here are other ways to reduce your cost of attending WVU.
Financial Aid
The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Communication Sciences and Disorders, BS is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
Start at Another WVU Campus
You can start your career with WVU at another campus and transfer to WVU Morgantown.
Transfer Articulation Agreements
To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.
Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.
Request Info
Want to know more about Communication Sciences and Disorders at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.
Visit
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