Skip to main content

Communication Sciences and Disorders

In our program you will gain a foundational understanding of typical speech, language, and hearing development and a basic knowledge of the assessment and treatment of a variety of communication disorders. Examples include developmental language disorders, speech sound disorders, aphasia, and hearing loss. You may pursue a career in speech-language pathology, audiology or other health or education professions. In our program you will have the opportunity to observe and have hands-on experiences in the on-campus clinic.

adult and child on a play mat

Why Study Communication Sciences and Disorders at Radford University?

  • Small class sizes
  • Open door policy and tutoring with faculty
  • Opportunities to participate in therapy in the Radford University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic
  • Research and service-learning opportunities with faculty

Careers and Internships

The majority of our undergraduate students go on to graduate school to become speech-language pathologists or audiologists. Some continue in graduate programs in related fields (e.g., education, occupational therapy). Students with an undergraduate degree in COSD also have the option to enter careers as a speech-language pathology assistant, registered behavior technician, and newborn hearing screener, hearing instrument specialist, or therapeutic support staff.

Opportunities for Communication Sciences and Disorders students at Radford

Admission Requirements

Freshman and sophomores will be pre-COSD majors until junior status is achieved.

To be admitted into the COSD major, students must:

  1. Attain junior status (minimum of 56 credit hours earned).
  2. Earn a minimum of a 2.80 cumulative grade point average in all coursework completed at Radford University.
  3. Complete an application for the COSD major in Academic Advising at the Highlander Success Center (third floor in Young Hall).

Clinical Observation Opportunities

The Radford University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic (RUSLHC) provides on-site clinical training for graduate students in speech-language pathology. Undergraduates are offered the opportunity to observe sessions in the clinic to learn about the field and complete the observation hours for SLP certification.

The RUSLHC provides prevention, assessment, and treatment of individuals from childhood through later adulthood in the areas of:

  • articulation
  • language
  • feeding and swallowing
  • cognition
  • social communication
  • augmentative and alternative communication
  • stuttering
  • literacy
  • voice and resonsance
  • hearing

Undergraduate Student Outcomes

Program Completion Rates

The 3-year average on time graduation rate is 87%.

Period

# of students who graduated on time

% of students who graduated on time

2022-2023

17

81%

2021-2022

18

90%

2020-2021

18

90%

Graduate Program Acceptance Rates

The 3-year average for students who applied to a graduate program and were offered admission was 93%.

Period

# of students who applied to a graduate program and were offered admission

% of students who applied to a graduate program and were offered admission

2022-2023

12/12

100%

2021-2022

14/15

93%

2020-2021

13/15

87%

Where do our undergraduate students go for graduate school?

In the past 3 years our undergraduate students have enrolled in graduate programs at the following institutions:
  • Radford University
  • George Washington University 
  • Ithaca College 
  • James Madison University
  • East Tennessee State University 
  • Longwood University
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • The University of Iowa
  • Syracuse University
  • Auburn University
  • University of Tennessee
  • Francis Marion University

Job Opportunities

The majority of our undergraduate students pursue graduate school to become a speech-language pathologist or audiologist. However, with the undergraduate degree in COSD our graduates have obtained the following jobs:

  • Speech-language pathology assistant
  • Registered behavior technician
  • Newborn hearing screener
  • 93% of students who applied to a graduate program were offered admission

    (three-year average, 2020-2023)

  • At Radford University you will have the ability to observe in the on-campus speech-language-hearing clinic to gain a deeper knowledge of the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology

  • Begin a career as a speech-language pathology assistant or audiology assistant. 
  • Pursue graduate studies in speech-language pathology or audiology to become a speech-language pathologist or audiologist 
  • Prepare for related jobs, such as an occupational therapist, rehabilitation aide in a hospital or skilled nursing facility, therapeutic support staff, health services administrator, registered behavior technician, applied behavior analysis therapist, or hearing instrument specialist.
student with patient in wheelchair at a table smiling at each other

“I chose my major because I had trouble deciding between the educational field and the medical field. With speech pathology, I can get a touch of both education along with the medical side of things. Additionally, there are so many options that I could do with speech pathology, such as working in public school with pediatrics or working in nursing homes with the elderly.”

Miranda Brewster ‘25

Student Miranda Brewster, class of 2025

We want to get to know you better and we are excited that you are ready to take your next step and learn more about us. We are here to help you and look forward to working with you during your college search process.