When individuals cannot communicate because of an inability to understand and/or appropriately use the speech and language systems of society, they are at risk for serious social, emotional, vocational, and educational isolation. The Communication Disorders Program prepares specialists in the prevention, evaluation, and management of human communication disorders through relevant educational experiences, clinical practica, and research opportunities. Students in this program will be expected to:

• understand the basic processes of human communication based on a foundation of knowledge in the physical, social, and cognitive sciences;
• understand the nature of disorders of human communication;
• understand the basic principles underlying the prevention, evaluation, and management of those disorders;
• have ability to apply those principles in the provision of clinical services; become competent consumers and users of research; and
• develop a commitment to continuing education and professional development.

The Communication Disorders Program (CDP) at Appalachian is devoted to the study of human communication and associated disorders and prepares clinicians for work in a variety of settings--schools, hospitals, nursing homes, community clinics, home health, private practice. Students gain the academic and clinical practicum experiences necessary for certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, licensure by the North Carolina Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, and advanced licensure by the North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction. This Master of Arts program requires the equivalent of five full-time semesters for students with undergraduate degrees in speech-language pathology. For students entering the program with undergraduate degrees in other fields, additional terms are necessary to complete the undergraduate prerequisites before enrolling in graduate coursework.

Learn more about the Graduate Curriculum
Learn more about the Admission Process
Learn more about the Communication Disorders Clinic
Information for Newly Admitted Students
Information for Current Graduate Students
Communication Disorders Program Vision and Mission Statement
Communication Disorders Program Handbook

For answers to miscellaneous questions: Call the LRE Student Services Office at (828)262-2182.

The Communication Disorders Program was named as the year's University Deans' Award for Outstanding Graduate Program, 2000-2001.