Prepare for a career helping people of all ages communicate and connect through speech, language, hearing, and cognition.
95% pass rate on certification exam
100% of graduates secure employment within three months
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) educates undergraduate and graduate students to understand the science of how people speak, understand, hear, and connect, and what happens when those abilities are challenged. If you’re fascinated by human development and curious about the science behind communication, this field may be right for you.
As a speech-language pathology assistant or speech-language pathologist, you could work in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, early intervention programs, or private practice settings, supporting people of all ages as they build the skills they need to fully participate in life.
When you study CSD at NAU, you’ll join a community that values both people and science.
As an undergraduate student studying Communication Sciences and Disorders, you can choose the path that fits your needs: a traditional on-campus experience in Flagstaff, AZ or flexible online options. You'll graduate prepared and confident to make an immediate impact in a field that needs compassionate professionals like you.
As a graduate student, you have the flexibility to select from several in-person tracks that work with your schedule:
Have questions about the right graduate path for you? Contact us at speech@nau.edu or call us at 928-523-2969.
As a student of Communication Sciences and Disorders at NAU, you will:
Through NAU’s chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, you’ll explore the world of speech-language pathology and audiology beyond the classroom. You’ll hear from guest speakers, present research, and volunteer in the community alongside fellow students who share your interests and goals.
Work directly with clients from newborns to older adults while guided by expert faculty at NAU’s on-campus Speech and Language-Hearing Clinic. Applying what you’ve learned in the classroom in a real-world clinical environment will help you build confidence and the clinical judgement you’ll use throughout your career in CSD.
You'll get interprofessional practice (IPP) experience through partnerships with the College of Education’s Early Learning and Development Center and the IPP Clinic shared with the Department of Physical Therapy. By working in interprofessional teams, you’ll learn to deliver compassionate, whole-person care.
Your success in CSD is built on the support you receive along the way. At NAU, that means providing you with intentional mentorship tailored to your goals, accessible ways to fund your education, and career preparation that ensures you’re ready to lead confidently in the field.
Your CSD professors will be partners in your growth during your NAU journey, and beyond. You’ll learn from speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and researchers who bring real clinical expertise into every class and clinical experience. They’ll guide you through complex concepts like neuroanatomy, language development, and swallowing disorders, while providing individualized mentorship that helps you build confidence and find your path. Faculty at NAU help you feel known, encouraged, supported, and fully prepared to step into your CSD career.
NAU is committed to keeping high-quality education accessible, offering one of the most affordable university experiences in the state. As a CSD student, you’ll have access to financial aid resources and find transparent tuition options that ensure you can focus on your goals and not stress about paying for your education. You’ll also be able to search for scholarships that fit your exact interests and goals via Scholarship Universe and lean on the financial aid team for guidance and support as you navigate what options are available to you.
From your first day in class to your final externship, you’ll build the skills and clinical knowledge you need to make an impact in schools, medical settings, rehabilitation facilities, and community programs. You’ll develop strong foundations in assessment, intervention, research, cultural responsiveness, and ethical practice ensuring you’re ready to step into this in-demand field ready to make an immediate impact.
The ASHA 2020 Standards (IV-A) require that applicants for the Certificate of Clinical Competence must have demonstrated knowledge of the biological sciences, physical sciences, statistics, and the social/behavioral sciences. At the time of program admission, you ust have at least one 3-credit course in each of the following areas:
The title of an equivalent course should contain the same key word(s) as those in the descriptive titles above.
Applicants generally should have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. Grades of "C" or below in prerequisite courses are not competitive and you may want to re-take those courses.
"One of the most exciting aspects of this field is its incredible breadth. There are so many areas of specialty to explore, from working with children who have language delays or speech disorders to supporting adults recovering from strokes, treating voice or swallowing disorders, or advancing assistive communication technologies."
Take the first step toward a career in a field where your care and compassion can truly change someone’s life.
When you give to the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, you’re investing in a future where everyone is heard. Your support helps CSD students gain essential clinical experience and expands access to quality care.