A CAREER IN COMMUNICATION SCIENCES AND DISORDERS

One field. Two professions. Unlimited options. At its core, communication sciences and disorders (CSD) is about working with people to improve their speech, language, hearing, and other communication abilities. The goal of all CSD professionals is ultimately the same—to help humans effectively communicate—but how and where you work to achieve that goal is up to you. Start by choosing a career in one of CSD’s two professions: audiology and speech-language pathology.

AUDIOLOGY

Audiologists use the latest technology and science-backed evidence to help prevent, identify, diagnose, and treat hearing, balance, and other auditory disorders—from helping patients with the use of high-tech cochlear implants to fitting musicians with custom equipment to prevent hearing loss.

Discover all you can do in audiology

SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work with people on speech and language—but also on so much more, including social, cognitive, and physical disorders. SLPs do everything from helping people learn to speak again after traumatic brain injuries to working with people with autism to improve their social communication skills.

Discover all you can do in speech-language pathology
  • Young male communication sciences and disorders scientist works in a laboratory
    Research
    Discover new evidence to help move the field forward.
  • A man wears hearing protection watching an aircraft take off
    Military
    Work with active military personnel and veterans to prevent and treat hearing loss, the military’s most common injury.
  • Young male speech-language pathologist works with children in schools
    Schools
    Help children and teenagers with communication difficulties succeed academically and socially.
  • Professor teaching to communication sciences and disorders students against window.
    Academia
    Teach the next generation of audiologists and SLPs.
  • No Limits
    You won’t be boxed in when you choose a career in CSD. Audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work across a wide range of environments, focusing on different skills, disorders, technologies, and goals. Join the field, and choose your own path.
  • Band practices while singer wears hearing protection
    Music
    Protect musicians’ hearing—and livelihood—by setting them up with new technology and custom equipment.
  • Medical team, including audiologist and speech-language pathologist, has a meeting in a hospital
    Hospitals
    Help people who have had strokes and other injuries regain the ability to speak and swallow.
  • Football players tackle one another on a field
    Sports
    Work with athletes to regain abilities after concussions and other injuries.
  • Doctors during surgery on patient in hospital, monitoring hearing or speech
    Operating Rooms
    Monitor surgeries to ensure a patient’s speech and/or hearing functions aren’t disrupted.
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WORK AT THE TOP

Audiology and speech-language pathology are consistently rated as top jobs in the United States on a number of different lists, ranking favorably in a number of factors, including salaries, available jobs, stress levels, and flexibility.

AUDIOLOGY

#1

Best Job in America
Time magazine (2015)

#12

Highest-paying jobs working fewer than 40 hours a week
Business Insider (2020)

SEE MORE TOP JOB RANKINGS

SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

#8

Best 100 Jobs
U.S. News & World Report (2020)

#6

Highest-paying jobs working fewer than 40 hours a week
Business Insider (2019)

SEE MORE TOP JOB RANKINGS
Smiling communication sciences and disorders student sitting on stairs working with laptop

QUIZ: AUDIOLOGY OR SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY?

Deciding on your path in communication sciences and disorders? Find out which may be right for you.

TAKE THE QUIZ

CONSIDERING A CAREER IN COMMUNICATION SCIENCES AND DISORDERS?

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