Testimonial
Gain knowledge of communication disorders and their treatment and take part in world-class clinical experiences, outreach activities and research in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Communication is at the foundation of all human relationships. Unfortunately, an estimated 42 million Americans have a communication disorder that makes simple tasks frustrating or even impossible. The field of communication sciences and disorders serves those with these challenges by evaluating, diagnosing and treating disorders related to speech, language and hearing.
At USD, our faculty are active scholars and practitioners of speech-language pathology and audiology who have a shared goal to prepare forward-thinking professionals in the discipline of speech, language and hearing. Our undergraduates take part in a preprofessional degree program that is a blend of a liberal arts foundation and a general core curriculum in basic communication sciences and disorders of communication. Graduate students in our audiology and speech-language pathology programs complete coursework and on-site clinical experiences with dedicated faculty mentorship. Those who complete our programs enter the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology as academically, clinically and ethically prepared professionals.
All students graduate from our department's programs as 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.
If you want to explore the science behind communication problems, as well as strategies and technologies for treatment, the USD Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders is the place for you.
At the USD audiology clinic, we know that a full evaluation of your hearing includes responses to tones, speech and assessment of other hearing complaints. We work with you to assess your hearing and discuss your hearing difficulties. We complete comprehensive evaluations for all ages, pediatric to aging adults and all stages of cognitive abilities.
Serving the speech and language needs of children birth to age 21 at our Sioux Falls location.
The Center for Brain and Behavior Research (CBBRe) promotes outstanding training of research students and fellows, feeding the pipeline of creative independent scientists in the fields of neuroscience and behavioral science.
Each summer, the Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders holds a one-week camp for children with communication impairments. Campers take part in fun group activities and receive one-on-one therapy with licensed therapists assisted by undergraduate and graduate students. Whether playing a ball game on the USD quad or completing a craft before snack time, speech specialists are helping campers with skills such as receptive language, conversational turn-taking or understanding body language.
In addition to our two year-round speech, language and hearing clinics, faculty and students in the Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders regularly donate their time and expertise to residents of South Dakota, the region and beyond. Service examples include giving free hearing screenings to athletes who compete in the South Dakota Special Olympics games each year and holding clinical outreach trips to a Guatemalan school that serves developmentally disabled children.
The Masters of Arts (M.A.) in Speech Language Pathology and the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D) residential educational programs at the University of South Dakota are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.