Communication Sciences and Disorders

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Overview

We Offer:

  • B.A. and B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders
  • M.A. in speech-language pathology
  • Au.D. in audiology 

We also are committed to providing Clinical Services to the public in conjunction with the clinical education of our students. 

Program Statistics

Graduates of our masters program in SLP and doctoral program in audiology enjoy a 100% employment rate with placements throughout South Dakota and the Midwest as well as across the nation and Canada. For year-by-year information, view our Program Statistics.

 

Strategic Plans

The mission of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is to prepare forward-thinking professionals in the discipline of speech, language, and hearing who promote the highest standards of professional conduct in a variety of clinical settings. Therefore, a primary goal of the department is to develop critical thinkers who are able to evaluate and apply existing and future information, methodologies, and technologies so as to meet the needs of individuals with communicative disorders in a rapidly changing world.

To achieve our mission, we have developed a strategic plan, which focuses on the five primary goals and strategic issues identified as priorities by the College of Arts & Sciences and the University of South Dakota:

  1. Academic Excellence
  2. Research and Creative Activity
  3. Enrollment Management
  4. Institutional Positioning
  5. Funding and Resource Development

Our Strategic Plans are Available for Download:

Affiliated Clinics

Scholarships

We offer a wide variety of scholarships and awards for students majoring in communication disorders. Scholarship opportunities are announced each spring semester for awarding at our annual Spring Banquet.  Email us at csd@usd.edu for more information about these.

Freshman scholarship information is available through the Financial Aid Office.

Student Organizations

The National Student Speech-Language and Hearing Association (NSSLHA) offers an opportunity to get to know faculty and other students by sponsoring social and educational events throughout the year.

NSSLHA is a student-led organization that offers opportunities to get to know other students and professors. Although NSSLHA is an independent organization, it is recognized by the discipline's professional association, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, as the official organization for students interested in human communication sciences and disorders. Our NSSLHA chapter sponsors a variety of events and speakers throughout the year.

Benefits of the organizations:
  • Discounts for ASHA membership.
  • ASHA's Employment Referral Service (ERS), excellent to use when looking for Clinical Fellowship Year position.
  • Access to professional literature.
  • Opportunity to interact with professionals.
  • Assistance in the transition from student to professional.
  • Professional growth from participation in NSSLHA activities and programs.
  • Local chapter--scholarships and favorable consideration for graduate school application.

Email us at csd@usd.edu for more information.

Other Resources

Also see our Web Resources Page for more helpful links.