Department of

Communicative Disorders

Mission Statement:

"To foster excellence in the academic and clinical education of speech-language pathologists and audiologists through commitments to teaching, research, and service; to promote a culture of scholarship and respect for individuals; and to provide a foundation of knowledge and skills that fosters competent, autonomous, clinical practice for the professional lifetime."

The field of communicative disorders includes extensive opportunities for the audiologist and speech pathologist to assist persons with problems of hearing, speech, and/or language communication. Through appropriate diagnosis and evaluation and through techniques of (re)habilitation and appropriate counseling, communicatively disordered persons can be led to goals of successful personal, social, and vocational competence.

The Department of Communicative Disorders (CDIS) offers the Master of Science (M.S.) degree in speech pathology and the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.). Both programs are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The coursework and clinical clock hour requirements are designed for the student to obtain the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence and licensure with the State of Tennessee Health Related Boards and/or Board of Education.