Why should I major in Communicative
Disorders at CSUF?
A career in communicative disorders offers
many challenges and opportunities. Many of these
opportunities involve working with individuals
throughout their life span and within a variety
of settings. In order to take advantage of these
opportunities, individuals employed in the communicative
disorders field rely heavily on their undergraduate
training.- Cal State Fullerton offers a high
quality degree program that creates a strong
foundation for students to use in their careers.
The faculty at Cal State Fullerton is comprised
of quality professors and teaching assistants
that are respected throughout the nation. Their
particular areas of strength include specialized,
in-depth education in the diagnosis and management
of communicative disorders in persons with diverse
linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Other areas
of strength are the use of technology to help
persons who may need to communicate non-orally,
and training individuals to work with swallowing
disorders and with communication problems that
occur when persons must breathe with the help
of a ventilator.
The Communicative Disorders Program at Cal
State Fullerton also provides benefits through
its relationship with the community. We are
fortunate to be able to provide to our students
a strong association with a large number of
hospitals, schools and clinics in the community.
These organizations are closely involved with
the university in the education and training
of students in communicative disorders.
The department offers a Bachelor of Arts and
a Master of Arts degree in Communicative Disorders.
These degrees lead to eligibility for a state
license in speech-language pathology, national
certification in speech-language pathology,
and a specialized credential for work within
the public school system. The Communicative
Disorders Program has been accredited by the
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology
and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association for over
thirty years. The Communicative Disorders Program
has a number of special features, including
an emphasis on clinical services for persons
from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds,
alternative and augmentative forms of communication,
and diagnosis and management of disorders of
swallowing.
What types of career opportunities are available?
Speech-language pathologists are specialists
in the diagnosis and treatment of communicative
disorders. They work in a variety of settings
including public schools; clinics and agencies;
private practice; and hospitals of various types,
including acute, rehabilitation, psychiatric
and extended care hospitals. They work with
communicative disorders of all types. Many of
these disorders occur in children with developmental
problems. Speech-language pathologists also
work with the communicative and swallowing disorders
that result from certain illnesses and injuries.
While most speech-language pathologists decide
to work directly with people who have communicative
disorders, some teach in colleges or universities,
conduct research or work as administrators.
Others develop products and devices that are
useful for people with communicative disorders
or for speech-language pathologists.
Opportunities exist in every sector of the
United States, and there are challenging opportunities
in many parts of the world. According to the
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, our nation
needs to increase the number of professionals
in this field by 36 percent over the period
from 1996 to 2006 (Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Chicago, IL: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1998).
Accreditation - The Communicative
Disorders Program has been accredited by the
Educational Standards Board of the American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association without
interruption since 1969. This is a distinction
shared with only one 'Other training program
in California.
Outstanding Faculty - Our program's
faculty and clinical stall consist of experts
in speech pathology, audiology, and speech/language
development, Still, the faculty's first priority
is students-teaching, providing guidance and
helping them realize their goals.
Resources - Our program includes
a well-equipped laboratory for studying the
acoustic and physiologic aspects of speech.
The program has an on campus Speech and Hearing
Clinic, as well as affiliations with over
thirty hospitals, schools and clinics that
provide clinical training to its students.
What activities are available?
The Communicative Disorders Program sponsors
an active chapter of the National
Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
The NSSLHA chapter provides a bridge between
students and their futures as professionals
by hosting speakers from various facets of the
profession. In addition, NSSLHA coordinates
social activities for students and faculty members.
