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B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Millions of people are impacted by physical and cognitive disorders that affect their ability to communicate. Biola’s major in communication sciences and disorders prepares you to serve their needs, providing you with the specialized knowledge and clinical training you’ll need for graduate school and a career in this important field.

In addition to its strong curriculum, expert faculty members and biblical integration, Biola’s communication sciences and disorders program offers several key advantages:

  • An on-campus skills lab allows you to use state-of-the-art equipment — including a digital endoscope, Visipitch, a nasometer, and many AAC devices — which rarely happens at the undergraduate level.
  • The program has both on- and off-campus clinics where you can work with patients from the community, giving you practical, hands-on experience.
  • You have the opportunity to graduate with the necessary requirements for graduate school in speech-language pathology or audiology.
  • The program gives you the foundation you need to enter a growing field — the speech-language pathology profession is projected to grow 21% between 2021–2031, which is much faster than average for all occupations according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  • Students in Biola’s B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders program are beating the national averages for acceptance into competitive master’s and doctoral programs for speech-language pathology and audiology. While national acceptance rates range between 29-42%, acceptance rates for Biola students range from 95–100%.
  • Be mentored by expert faculty who integrate their Christian faith into their lives as researchers, teachers and ministers in local or global communities. Students have opportunities to be involved in directed research with faculty, participate in presentations at various conferences and co-author peer-reviewed journal articles. Learn more about our faculty and student research.

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Courses

What will I study as a communication sciences and disorders major?

As a communication sciences and disorders major, you will focus on the basics of understanding speech, language, cognition, swallowing, voice and hearing functions and diagnosis. Course highlights and interesting topics you will learn about include:

  • Where communication disorders fits in with other human disabilities
  • The causes of communication disorders
  • Examining various childhood language disorders
  • Exploring the roles of speech-language pathologists
  • Anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing
  • Neurology of speech, language, and hearing
  • Neurological disorders that affect communication
  • Cultural sensitivity in assessment and intervention
  • New strategies and technology for diagnosis and rehabilitation
  • Assessment and treatment of various communication disorders
  • Rehabilitation management procedures

Bible and Theology Coursework

As part of Biola’s commitment to a biblically centered education, most undergraduate students complete 30 credits of biblical and theological studies as a part of their degree program. Learn more about our Bible and theology core.

Career Outlook and Preparation

What can you do with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders?

Interesting career opportunities in health care, medicine, research or education await graduates of Biola's communication science and disorders program. As a well-equipped professional, you can expect to impact the world for Jesus Christ in professions such as:

  • Speech-language pathologist
  • Audiologist
  • Speech, language or hearing scientist
  • Speech-language pathology assistant
  • Other paraprofessional careers, like being a behavioral therapist

In addition, many communication disorders students pursue graduate studies, while others move directly into ministry or professional roles. God has used Biola graduates in a variety of ways. Highlights include:

  • Hospital speech-language pathologist
  • Public school speech-language pathologist
  • Private practice audiologist
  • Public school speech-language pathology assistant
  • Post-doctoral fellow at the Mayo Clinic
  • Graduate studies at distinguished schools such as: Arizona State University; University of Oregon; University of Kansas; San Diego State University; University of Redlands; CSU Northridge; CSU Fullerton; CSU Long Beach; University of Arizona; Texas Christian University; Loma Linda University; Northwestern University; New York University; Columbia University; University of Washington; Eastern Washington University; Loma Linda University; and Chapman University

Explore the Biola Office of Health Professions Advising (BOHPA), a distinctive of Biola, that provides experienced advice for navigating your healthcare journey, resources for taking qualifying exams like the GRE and MCAT, mock interviews, clinical shadowing experiences with health professionals, and strategic advice for applying to postgraduate programs.

18% job growth

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for speech-language pathologists is projected to be much faster than average between 2023 and 2033.

BLS projections are not specific to Biola University students or graduates.


Christine Truong

The professors are so caring and they provide resources that fully equip us for graduate school and internships.

Christine Truong
Communication Sciences and Disorders, B.S. '17

Accelerated Master’s Program

Earn both your B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders and M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology in just five years.

Explore the Accelerated Master's Program

Admissions

Admissions Process

Learn about Biola’s admissions requirements, steps to apply, application deadlines and more at our Undergraduate Admissions page.

Schedule a Visit

Learn more about this program by attending an upcoming event for prospective students and parents, or by scheduling a personalized visit.

Visit Biola

Tuition and Financial Aid

Attaining a degree from Biola is more affordable than you might think — dramatically lower than the “sticker price” in most cases — with 100% of incoming undergraduate students receiving some form of financial aid.

Faculty


Learning Opportunities

Speech-Language Clinic

One distinctive feature of Biola's communication sciences and disorders program is our on-campus speech-language clinic. The clinic serves two purposes: it is a learning experience for our students and it serves our community by providing therapy to both children and adults with various communication disorders. As a student clinician, you have the opportunity to put into practice what you are learning in the classroom. All students are required to complete two units of clinical experience for graduation.

SLPA License

Students who are pursuing a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders may also obtain an SLPA (Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant) license. In order for that to happen, students must do a SLPA internship at a clinic or school of their choice under a licensed SLP who has their CCC's and at least two years of professional SLP experience. Students who are thinking of doing a SLPA internship should start preparing at least one semester in advance.

Internships

Students are encouraged to seek out internships with local speech-language pathologists and audiologists to help gain knowledge and valuable experience in the field.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering is a great way to gain experience related to the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology. Many students seek out volunteer experiences on their own or join along with the Biola NSSLHA chapter. Below is a list of some of the organizations and events where Biola students have done volunteer work.

  • B.R.A.I.N.'s F.B.I. (Friends of Brain Injury) - Cypress Chapter
  • OC Autism's Special Events
  • Fullerton Cares' Mardi Gras for Autism

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Format

You'll study in person at Biola University's campus in Southern California.

Total Credits

Total program credits include major-specific courses and Biola's core curriculum.

Standard Completion Time

This indicates the standard duration of this program. Completion time may vary depending on transferred coursework and preferred courseload.

Accreditation

Biola University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Additional accreditations may apply to specific programs.