Communication Disorders

Department of Language, Reading & Exceptionalities

The department of Language, Reading and Exceptionalities offers a pre-professional program in the study of human communication and associated disorders. Upon successful completion of a master’s degree, students are eligible for licensure by the State of NC, certification by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association, and licensure by the NC State Department of Public Instruction. Speech-Language Pathologists help those who stutter to increase their fluency; help people who have had strokes or experienced brain trauma to regain lost language and speech; help children and adolescents who have language disorders to understand and give directions, ask and answer questions, convey ideas, improve the language skills that lead to better academic performance; counsel individuals and families to understand and deal with speech and language disorders. Speech, Language, and Hearing Scientists investigate the complex processes underlying human communication, explore the impact of psychological, social, and psychophysiological factors on communication; they collaborate with experts in other fields to develop new approaches to treating those with speech, language, and hearing disorders.


Related Career Titles
Adult Hearing Specialist
Audiologist
Camp Director
Children’s Hearing Specialist
Clinical Supervisor
Consultant
Counselor
Early Intervention Specialist
ESL Teacher
Health Agency Director
Interpreter
Private Practitioner
Private School Administrators
Rehabilitation Counselor
Special Education Instructor
Special Education Teachers
Speech and Hearing Therapist
Speech Language Educators
Speech Pathologist


Employment Settings
ENT office
Foundations
Hearing aid dealership
HMO/PPO
Hospital
National Institutes of Health
Nursing home
Private clinic
Private practice
Private rehabilitation companies
Private/public research facility
Public clinic
Public school
Public/private university
University clinic
University-affiliated program


Related Skills
Ability to cooperate
Ability to sensitively talk about the patient
Acceptance of all types of people
Attention to detail
Compassion
Excellent listening skills
Excellent vocal and language skills
Extreme patience
Integrity
Interpretation ability
Motivational skills
Quick response time
Research abilities
Seeing to the patient's families needs
Sensitivity to the patient's condition



Professional Organizations/Associations
American Academy of Audiology
American Association for Applied Linguistics
American Speech Language Hearing Association
International Speech Communication Association
Linguistics Society of America
State Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech Pathology