Careers in Communicative Disorders and Sciences
Professionals in our field include Speech-Language Pathologists, Audiologists, and Speech, Language, and Hearing Scientists. These professionals can be found in a variety of work settings, including schools, colleges and universities, hospitals and other healthcare facilities, private practice, corporations, and industry. We serve our communities and improve quality of life by providing clinical services, conducting research, and trainingthe next generation of clinician-scientists.
The 2023 U.S. News ranked Speech-Language Pathologist (#11) and Audiologist (#23) as highly ranked professions in the Best Health Care Jobs listing. The fields of speech-language pathology and audiology continue to show a positive pattern of growth in employment for state licensed and ASHA certified speech-language pathologists and audiologists. The need for well-trained practitioners shows no sign of diminishing within New York state or nationwide.
To meet the increasing demand for audiologists and speech-language pathologists, the University at Buffalo offers an academic and clinical training program leading to graduate degrees necessary for certification and undergraduate degrees necessary for entry into graduate-level programs. The goal of our programs is to prepare highly skilled professionals with the depth of knowledge and experience that will qualify them for clinical practice or research careers in any work setting.
Audiology
Audiology is the study of normal hearing and hearing diseases and disorders. Audiologists are health-care professionals who provide care in the prevention, identification, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment of hearing, balance, and other auditory disorders for people of all ages.
To become an ASHA-certified Audiologist, you need to:
- Earn a bachelor's degree
- Our department offers a BA in Speech and Hearing Science.
- Earn an AuD degree from a CAA-accredited program
- Our department offers a Doctorate of Audiology (AuD).
- Complete an externship
- Pass a national exam
*State licensure is also required.
Speech-Language Pathology
Speech-language pathology is the study of typical and disordered speech, language, voice, and swallowing. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are health-care professionals who identify, assess, and treat speech, language, voice, and swallowing problems in people of all ages.
To become an ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologist, you need to:
- Earn a bachelor's degree
- Our department offers a BA in Speech and Hearing Science.
- Earn a Master's degree (MA/MS) from a CAA-accredited program
- Our department offers a MA in Speech-Language Pathology.
- Complete an externship
- Pass a national exam
*State licensure is also required.
Speech, Language, and Hearing Scientists
Speech, language, and hearing scientists conduct research to provide the evidence base necessary for SLPs and Audiologists to provide state-of-the-art services. This includes research on normal functions of human communication, the processes underlying impaired function, and the development of new techniques for assessment and treatment. These scientists may also teach academic courses at colleges and universities and train the next generation of clinicians and researchers.
Many speech, language, and hearing scientists have received a PhD.
- Our department offers a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Communicative Disorders and Sciences.
However, there are research scientist positions that may accept BA, MA, and AuD degrees, often under the direction of a PhD-level scientist.
- Our department offers a BA in Speech and Hearing Science.