Communication Sciences & Disorders

"If my possessions would be taken from me with one exception, I would choose to keep the power of communication, for by it, I would soon regain all the rest." -- Daniel Webster

About the program

Student Bridget McLaughlin works with a young client at the Augustana clinic.

• Augustana College offers a major in communication sciences and disorders -- the only CSD program in Illinois that focuses solely on undergraduate education. Along with challenging academic coursework within a liberal arts foundation, components of the CSD major include substantial clinical experience, research and service learning -- all with the close support of the CSD faculty.
• The department recently moved into a state-of-the-art facility in the Brodahl Building that houses the classroom and student-clinician workroom, seven assessment-intervention rooms, one audiology suite, two research laboratories, a conference room and CSD faculty offices.
• All Augustana students complete Senior Inquiry, a capstone project in which students draw from their comprehensive learning experiences to develop and complete a topical project that demonstrates benefit to a community. Each student develops his or her Senior Inquiry project in partnership with a faculty mentor or clinical internship supervisor. Every year, one or two CSD majors are granted the Augustana College CSD Student Research Award in support of their research.

Outside the classroom

• Augustana CSD majors have been selected to present their research findings at the national convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association every year for the past 10 years. For more than 25 consecutive years, CSD majors have presented at annual state conventions.
• At the Center for Speech, Language, and Hearing, Augustana's on-campus clinic, we provide intervention to approximately 85 families per term; CSD majors provide a vast majority of these clinical services, supervised by CSD faculty who hold the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
• In 2006 Augustana's chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association was given the National Chapter of the Year Award in recognition of our majors' community outreach and service learning accomplishments. This was only the second time that an undergraduate-only program had received this honor.

Future goals

• Augustana's CSD program provides a solid background for careers in audiology, speech-language pathology, speech science, hearing science, health care, education, and sales of clinical, education and health-related materials.
• The department's preparation for academic, clinical and professional settings leads to a high rate of success in graduate school entry and performance. Since 1995, more than 96 percent of Augustana's CSD majors who applied to graduate school have been admitted, and approximately 50 percent of these graduates received teaching or research fellowships.

CSD faculty

What students say

Hannah Rose Petitt '09, communication sciences & disorders and Spanish double major:
"When I first came to Augustana, I had every intention of becoming a dentist. After a term of pre-dental coursework, I decided that dentistry was not the right path for me. For the rest of my freshman year, I more or less shopped around, taking a variety of different courses from different departments. Luckily, I took a liberal studies class on disability studies that was taught by one of the CSD professors. This class and professor opened my eyes to my perfect field of study, which combined my desire to help people with my love of human sciences and language. I am so glad that I have found my place as a CSD major. My classes and working as a student speech-language pathologist require a lot of hard work, time and direction, but there is no doubt in my mind that I am getting some of the best education and experience available. All of the professors and clinical faculty are extremely dedicated to us both as students and as people, and help guide us daily with patience, respect and a little bit of humor. I cannot speak more highly of the professors or the CSD program itself. I feel so blessed that I have the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful and renowned program."

Melanie Green '08, communication sciences & disorders major, Spanish and psychology minors:
"My CSD journey at Augustana was full of amazing opportunities. I took classes taught by professors who were both experienced clinicians and respected researchers within their areas of expertise. As a student clinician in the Augustana College Center for Speech, Language and Hearing, I had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of
clients while developing valuable clinical skills. This past year, my wonderful CSD advisors guided me through a senior research project and thesis, as well as a successful graduate school application process. I know that such a well-rounded experience has provided me with a great foundation for graduate school and future work as a speech language pathologist."

Rebecca Seib '07, communication sciences & disorders major:
"Every day I am thankful for the experiences I gained and the friends I obtained during my four memorable years at Augustana. The outstanding CSD faculty, notable program, clinical experience, research opportunities and mentoring process prepared me well for graduate school. The small class sizes create a personalized and nurturing learning environment. Additionally, the professors and faculty members genuinely care about their students inside and outside of the classroom. Augustana's CSD program is truly unique and is well recognized within the profession of speech-language pathology."