BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Introduction

Explore human communication through speech, language, hearing, and their related disorders with a B.S. 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

1. High-demand major, with applications due in January for the following Fall
2. Follows a cohort model, in which groups of students progress together
3. 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 B or better is required in EDSE 2000/2000E.

Four‑Year Program of Study

Please visit the University of Georgia Bulletin for the most up-to-date Four-Year Program of Study.

Admissions

Admission to the program is highly competitive, with a maximum cohort size of up to 75 students. The program receives a high volume of applications that regularly exceeds program capacity. As a result, the credentials of most successful applicants greatly exceed the minimum eligibility criteria.

Before applying for admission to the major, all students are strongly encouraged to consult with the UGA Office of Undergraduate Advising .

• Current UGA Students: Please schedule an appointment with your assigned academic advisor. They will help you arrange a strategic program of study to ensure you are well-positioned for successful enrollment in the major upon admission.
• Prospective Transfer Students: If you plan to transfer to UGA and would like to review your eligibility for this major, please contact our Transfer Specialist, Emily Robinson , for personalized guidance.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria:

Please note: Meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee acceptance to the program.

• Overall minimum GPA of 3.4 (GPA of 3.7 or higher preferred)
  • Athens campus transfer applicants must also meet the minimum GPA benchmarks outlined on the UGA Transfer Criteria website .
• Applicants must have completed the following courses, or their approved equivalents, with a minimum grade of B or higher prior to applying to the program:
  • ENGL 1101
  • ENGL 1102
  • MATH 1101
  • BIOL 1103/L

Transfer students can review the Common UGA Course Equivalents to see how previous credits will count.

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.

UGA Application Information

Part 2: Apply to the B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Applicants are eligible to apply to the major once all minimum requirements are met. The application process proceeds in two phases:

• Phase 1: Online Application – Submit the MFECOE Major Application.
• Phase 2: Essay** – Qualified applicants will receive an email notification with instructions to complete a proctored, asynchronously timed writing sample.

** The proctored essay must be completed independently and must reflect the applicant’s original work. Applicants may not use outside assistance, reference materials, generative artificial intelligence, or any editing, paraphrasing, translation, or other technology-based tools.

Important Communication Notice:

• Current UGA Students: All updates and instructions will be sent exclusively to your UGA email address.
• Non-UGA Students: Your notification will be sent to the primary email address you provided on your MFECOE application.

Fall Major Admissions Timeline

• MFECOE Application Opens – December 18
• Phase 1: MFECOE Application Deadline – January 1 at 5:00 p.m.
• Phase 2: Proctored Essay (2 hours)
  • Opens: January 4 at 12:00 p.m.
  • Closes: January 22 at 5:00 p.m.
    Please note that to ensure submission eligibility, the proctored essay must be initiated by 3:00 p.m. EST on January 22.

Admission Decisions Released – By March 1

Application Materials for Phase 1

1. MFE COE Major Application:
   The application for the Fall cohort will remain open until the deadline.
2. Required Application Materials:

• Unofficial Transcripts (Non-UGA Students Only):
  Transfer applicants must upload an unofficial transcript from every prior institution attended. Upload as a PDF using the following naming format: LastName_FirstName_Transcript.pdf (Example: Smith_Jane_Transcript.pdf)

Please Note: Applicants must ensure they have all required materials prior to clicking the “Apply Now” link below. The application must be completed in a single session and cannot be saved.

Application Materials for Phase 2

• Essay: Applicants will have two hours to complete a proctored essay, with a required length of 450–550 words.

Testing Accommodations

Accommodations Request: Applicants who hold current accommodations through the Accessibility and Testing Center, as well as transfer applicants requiring testing adjustments, must email the Office of Academic Programs (OAP) Program Coordinator Support Team prior to the Phase 1 deadline. Please include a copy of your official accommodations letter in your email to ensure timely review and arrangements.

Selection Process

Applications are evaluated by a committee of faculty in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program. The evaluation process examines all applicant materials holistically, including your GPA, performance in the required prerequisite courses, and quality of written materials.

Simply meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee acceptance to the program. Applicants will be notified via email of the admission decision by the program coordinator or other program contact. Applicants who are not accepted may apply again in the following application cycle.

Observation Hours

Program Contact

Laura Nichols, CMSD Program Coordinator

Student Outcome Data

• 2023-2024 Program Assessment (PDF)

Useful Links

• What can I do with a major in…?