Cost & earnings at The College of Wooster What students borrow here, and what they go on to earn
Communication Disorders Sciences graduates earn a median $26,353 Across 308 US programmes, two years after finishing
See the degree grade →The Bachelor’s in Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at The College of Wooster is a liberal-arts degree that prepares students for careers and graduate study in speech-language pathology, audiology and related communication-support professions. It suits students who want a rigorous grounding in the science of speech, hearing and language combined with hands-on clinical experience and an intensive, faculty-mentored independent research project.
This programme blends foundational coursework in the biological, psychological and linguistic bases of communication with applied study of assessment and intervention across the lifespan. Core topics typically include anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanisms, phonetics and phonology, language development, acquired and developmental communication disorders, audiology principles, hearing science, and alternative and augmentative communication.
Methodological and supporting coursework often covers research methods, statistics for the behavioural sciences, neuroanatomy/neuroscience related to communication, and courses in psychology, linguistics or education to provide breadth. Students also take practicum-style courses that introduce clinical observation, assessment procedures and intervention techniques, usually progressing from supervised observation to more active, supervised clinical experiences in community settings.
A distinctive element of study at The College of Wooster is the Senior Independent Study (I.S.), in which students design and complete an original research or applied project under close faculty mentorship. Many majors choose I.S. topics connected to communication disorders, such as intervention outcomes, speech perception, language acquisition in bilingual children, or community-based service models.
Admission to The College of Wooster follows the college’s standard undergraduate entry process. Applicants should present a strong secondary-school record and transcripts; recommended background includes coursework in biology, general science, mathematics and English. Experience with volunteer or paid work in settings serving children, older adults or people with disabilities is helpful and may strengthen an application.
Students often enter the major after completing introductory coursework at Wooster; specific departmental prerequisites may include an introductory course in communication disorders, biology or anatomy. Candidates for later entry into graduate programmes (such as speech-language pathology or audiology) should plan their undergraduate programme to include relevant sciences, statistics and supervised clinical observation hours. Prospective students with questions about course planning or timing of practicum placements should consult the department adviser.
Graduates of the Communication Disorders Sciences and Services major pursue a range of careers and further study. Common pathways include pursuing a master’s degree in speech-language pathology or a doctoral degree in audiology—both of which are required for clinical licensure and independent practice in many jurisdictions. The major also prepares students for roles as speech-language pathology assistants, special education teachers, classroom aides, early-intervention specialists, rehabilitation support staff and vocational rehabilitation counselors.
Other career options draw on the programme’s research and communication skills, such as roles in healthcare administration, public health education, community outreach, research assistance, or further study in related fields (psychology, linguistics, education). The combination of clinical exposure, research experience and liberal-arts training is particularly valuable for students aiming for competitive graduate programmes.
The College of Wooster offers a small-college environment with close, mentorship-rich relationships between students and faculty. The department’s emphasis on individualized learning and the Senior Independent Study gives students substantial opportunities to design and carry out original research or applied clinical projects, supported by faculty advisers.
Students benefit from small class sizes, accessible faculty with active research and clinical interests, and practicum partnerships with local schools, clinics and community agencies that provide early hands-on experience. The liberal-arts curriculum encourages interdisciplinary perspectives—linking communication disorders study with psychology, education, neuroscience and linguistics—so graduates leave with both specialised knowledge and broad analytical, research and communication skills valued by employers and graduate programmes.
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