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

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.

Before applying for admission to the major, students should consult the Office of Undergraduate Advising . Current UGA students should meet with their assigned academic advisor, who can assist in arranging a program of study to ensure they are well-positioned for enrollment in the major if admitted. Prospective transfer students who plan to enroll at UGA and wish to review their eligibility for the major should contact our Transfer Specialist, Emily Robinson, at egr2013@uga.edu for guidance.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria

Please note: Meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee acceptance to the program. Phase 1 applications that do not meet all criteria will not be scored.

• 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:
  • 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:

You are ready to apply to the major as soon as you meet the minimum eligibility requirements. The application process proceeds in two phases:

• Phase 1: Online Application – Submit the MFECOE Major Application.
• Phase 2: Writing Sample – Qualified applicants will receive an email notification with instructions to complete a proctored, asynchronously timed writing sample, which will take place during the first week of classes from January 11–14.

Fall 2026 Major Admissions Timeline

• Application Opens – December 1st, 2026
• Application Deadline – December 14th, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
• Proctored Writing Sample – Week of January 11-14, 2027
• Decisions Released – Early February, 2027

Application Materials for Phase 1:

1. MFE COE Major Application:
   The application for the Fall cohort will remain open until the deadline. Please note that no essay is required during Phase 1.

   Applicants must prepare all required materials prior to accessing the online application link, as progress cannot be saved and the submission must be completed in one sitting.

2. Required Application Materials:
   Inside the MFE COE major application, you must upload the following documents formatted as specified:

   • 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)

Selection Process

Admission Contact

Jeannine Parry

Student Outcome Data

• 2023-2024 Program Assessment (PDF)

Useful Links

• What can I do with a major in…?