BSEd in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Explore human communication through speech, language, hearing, and their related disorders with a B.S.Ed. in Communication Sciences and Disorders. This undergraduate program provides an excellent foundation for students wishing to pursue the advanced degrees required to work as a speech-language pathologist, audiologist, or other private practitioner.
Admittance to this high-demand major is limited. Apply by the January before your junior year.
Highlights
- High-demand major, with applications due in January for the following Fall
- Follows a cohort model, in which groups of students progress together
- Most graduates continue on to master’s or doctoral studies
Curriculum
This undergraduate program teaches the foundations of human speech, language, hearing, and the disorders related to them. While some graduates go directly into the workforce, this program is best suited for those who want to pursue further studies to become certified or licensed as a speech-language pathologist, audiologist, or another professional practitioner.
Before applying to the major, you should work with your advisor to take prerequisite coursework in such areas as physics, linguistics, and statistics. If you are accepted to the major, you will take at least 36 hours of required courses that address
- Anatomy, physiology, and neurology of speech, language, and hearing
- Speech, voice, and hearing science
- Children’s communication development
- Diversity, differences, and disorders in speech, language, and hearing
- Critical thinking; scientific thinking; and professional and clinical issues for speech-language pathology, audiology, and related fields
Students in this program must maintain an overall grade point average of 2.75. If the overall GPA drops below 2.75, the student will not be allowed to take further communication sciences and disorders courses until the GPA is raised to 2.75. A grade of C or better is required for all communication sciences and disorders major courses; any grade of C- or lower in a major course will prevent the student from registering for subsequent courses and will delay the student’s completion of the major. A grade of B or better is required in EDSE 2000/2000E.
Download 2023-2024 Four-Year Plan (PDF) Download 2024-2025 Four-Year Plan
Admissions
In typical cohort years, the maximum number of students admitted to this program is 60-80. Many more students apply than the program can admit, so admission is highly competitive. Most applicants’ credentials greatly exceed the minimum eligibility criteria.
Prior to application, you should consult with the Office of Undergraduate Advising . They can advise you on how to arrange your program of study prior to application, so you are well-positioned for enrollment if accepted.
Minimum Eligibility Criteria
Please Note: Meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee acceptance to the program.
- Overall minimum GPA of 3.4 or higher (GPA of 3.7 preferred) at the end of the Fall semester (including Fall semester grades) prior to the year for which admittance is sought (typically the middle of the second year to begin the major in the Fall of the third year)
- Completion of the following courses or their equivalents with a minimum grade of B or higher prior to application: ENGL 1101, ENGL 1102, MATH 1101, and BIOL 1103/L
- Completion of (1) Federal and Georgia Constitution and (2) U.S. and Georgia History University requirements by the end of the semester of application (Note: You may only take the exemption exams for these subjects a certain number of times. Please consult with the UGA Testing Center to ensure your timeline works.)
How to Apply
Part 1: Apply to UGA
If you are not a UGA student already, you must apply to the university. See the requirements and deadlines provided by the University of Georgia Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Part 2: Apply to the B.S.Ed. in Communication Sciences and Disorders
You are ready to apply to the major when you have met the minimum eligibility requirements. If you are in the process of completing any required core coursework during the Spring semester, you may be provisionally accepted contingent upon satisfactory completion of the required courses while maintaining the required minimum 3.2 GPA for admission.
Fall Major Admissions Timeline
- Application Opens – December 20th
- Application Deadline – January 26th at 11:59 p.m.
- Decisions Released – March 1st
Application Materials
To apply to the Communication Sciences and Disorders program, use the College’s Major application. In your application, you’ll submit the following materials:
- Essays
In the application, you will be asked to upload written responses to several questions. Artificial Intelligence tools may not be used when writing your essay. - Additional items
Please upload unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended as a PDF. You should adhere to the following file naming format:Last Name_First Name_Transcript(example:Smith_Jane_Transcript.pdf).
Selection Process
Applications are evaluated by a committee of faculty and staff in the communication sciences and disorders program. The rubric-based evaluation process examines all applicant materials, including your GPA, performance in the required prerequisite courses, and quality of essay responses. Candidates in the application pool are ranked according to rubric scores.
Simply meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee acceptance to the program. Applicants who are not accepted may apply again in the following application cycle.
Admission decisions will be made by March 1. You will be notified via email of the admission decision by the program coordinator or other program contact.
Special Requirements Upon Admission
A grade of C or better is required for all communication sciences and disorders major courses. This requirement may preclude taking further courses in a prerequisite sequence.
Admission Contact
Mary Frances Early College of Education 570 Aderhold Hall University of Georgia Athens, GA 30602Additional Resources
Please use our online form if you have any questions for the department. Please be as specific as possible so that we may quickly assist you.
The College’s programs are taught by dedicated faculty who are experts in a range of areas and are passionate about helping students succeed both in their programs and professionally.
All undergraduate students at UGA meet with an academic advisor each semester. This meeting is critical to student success and provides a chance to discuss courses and electives, certification criteria, and general graduation requirements.
Almost all in-state students begin their studies at UGA paying limited tuition or fees. Please note that these amounts are subject to change and are meant to give prospective students an idea of the costs associated with a degree at the University of Georgia College of Education.
Students may qualify for a variety of assistantships, scholarships, and other financial awards to help offset the cost of tuition, housing, and other expenses.
Held primarily in the same building as the Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education and the UGA Speech and Hearing Clinic, our centralized classes provide plenty of opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to interact and work together.
You will take most of your classes with your fellow students as a cohort. By progressing through the program together, you will support and learn from each other and develop lasting relationships.
Extend your interest in speech and hearing by volunteering as a “reading buddy” to local schoolchildren, distributing earplugs and pamphlets at Athens’ famous music festivals, or joining the campus chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association.
See for yourself how much UGA College of Education has to offer! Schedule a tour of campus to learn more about the UGA student experience.