Why Choose Communication Sciences And Disorders At Maryville University?

• With a new state-of-the-art facility and home to the health professions programs, Myrtle E. and Earl E. Walker Hall offers Maryville students the best audiology and speech and language therapy resources in the region.
• Expert faculty members are passionate about mentoring and helping each student identify a strong career path.
• Professional connections are emphasized in learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
• We are committed to a technology-forward learning environment.
• Maryville continually updates curriculums with input from business and professional leaders to keep pace with the needs of employers.

Students in the pre-professional Communication Sciences and Disorders program are prepared for graduate studies in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP).

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) help people of all ages, from babies to the elderly, develop or regain the ability to speak, read, write and think clearly, and swallow properly. Clients may be children who have Autism, adults who have experienced strokes or brain injuries, children and adults who stutter, people who struggle with production of speech sounds, or those who have language delays or disorders. SLPs also provide extensive patient and family education. Common work environments include hospitals, rehabilitation centers, clinics, schools and daycare settings.

Additional Career Options:

The undergraduate degree may be used to obtain a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLP-A) license, which allows the student to provide therapy services in the public school setting, under the supervision of a licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist. At the completion of the undergraduate degree, other possible career options may include medical sales, medical publications, or the pursuit of a master’s degree in other fields closely related to speech-language pathology (i.e. other health science or health care field, pre-med or medical school, and special education).

Students completing the MS in Speech-Language Pathology at Maryville University will be eligible for American Speech Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certification (Certificate of Clinical Competence) and for Missouri state licensure (and other state licensures) from the Board of Healing Arts, following one year of full-time employment known as the clinical fellowship year (CFY).

A minor in Spanish is recommended if a student wishes to pursue opportunities as a bilingual speech-language pathologist.