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The U.S. department of Labor predicts that one out of six new jobs created in the 1990s and into the year 2005 will be in health-related areas.

As part of JMU's new College of Integrated Science and technology, the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is committed to preparing health and education professionals to function in our increasingly complex and rapidly changing society. The department offers an undergraduate degree program in communication sciences and disorders and two graduate professional preparation programs in speech-language pathology and audiology. The goals of the undergraduate program are as follows:

  • To provide pre-professional courses for those who are interested in a career as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist. Students should be aware that employment in the professional fields of speech-language pathology and audiology require a master's degree.
  • To provide a background for those who wish to pursue a career in a related profession such as deaf education special education, medicine or simply study CSD as an undergraduate major.

    • In keeping with the JMU philosophy of a universal and basic liberal studies education for all students, the communication sciences and disorders curriculum provides a broad background in the social, physical and biological sciences. The curriculum also fosters the development of oral and written communication skills and computer applications.

    Each of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders 11 full-time faculty members have national clinical certification in speech-language pathology and/or audiology. Their diverse educational and experiential backgrounds offer students medical (re)habilitative, and educational perspectives relating to the diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders. The specialized areas of knowledge of our faculty members include the following:

  • Augmentative communication
  • Cochlear research
  • Disorders of language
  • Hearing aid fitting
  • Phonology
  • Sign Language
  • Speech intelligibility
  • Stuttering
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Voice

    • Faculty areas of expertise and scholarly research have resulted in the publication of texts, research articles, (re)habilitation programs and numerous invited presentations of treatment methods. Faculty members encourage undergraduate research, honors projects and honors theses. Opportunities to work closely with individual faculty members are available to students during their junior and senior years.

    Communication sciences and disorders faculty members have a tradition of being accessible to students for academic advisement and professional development. Faculty members encourage students to accompany them to state and national professional meetings as a part of the student's professional growth and development.

    Students majoring in communication sciences and disorders are encouraged to join the JMU chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association. This active student organization is devoted to the professional development of students pursuing careers in speech-language pathology or audiology. NSSLHA provides leadership development, continuing education, social activities and opportunities to participate in state and national conventions.


    Last Reviewed: 20 April 98
    Information Publisher: Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders
    333 Roop Hall
    James Madison University
    Harrisonburg, VA 22807
    Send comments to: banksonw@jmu.edu