Communication Sciences and Disorders
Academic Department
At the University of Northern Colorado, our Communication Sciences & Disorders program helps you understand how people speak, listen, and connect—and how to support those facing challenges in these areas.
You’ll gain real-world experience through hands-on work in clinics, labs, and community settings, all while earning your degree. Our caring and knowledgeable faculty are here to guide and support you every step of the way.
Applications For The Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) Certificate Program Are Open!
Ready to take the next step toward a career supporting individuals with communication needs? UNC’s SLPA Certificate Program prepares students to work alongside speech-language pathologists in a variety of settings.
About Us
Our program helps students prepare for careers in speech, language, and hearing care. We offer accredited graduate degrees in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, with hands-on training in our on-campus clinic. The clinic serves people of all ages with communication or hearing problems.
Undergraduates can earn a degree that prepares them for advanced study in these fields. Our programs focus on helping children and adults with speech, language, hearing, and balance issues.
We are dedicated to strong teaching, real-world training, and supporting a welcoming and inclusive community.
Speech-Language Pathology MA Open House
| Platform | Date | Time | Location | Residential or Online Consortium |
| In Person | Jan 16th | 11am-1pm | Gunter Hall | Residential |
| Online | Jan 22nd | 6pm-8pm | Online | Online Consortium |
| In Person | Feb 20th | 11am-1pm | Gunter Hall | Residential |
*To register for an Open House please email SLPGradApps@unco.edu
Additional location information/ZOOM link will be provided via email.
Why Communication Sciences and Disorders?
Real World Experience, Built Into the Learning
At UNC, hands-on learning is a big part of your experience. You’ll work with real people in Colorado’s oldest on-campus clinic and practice in our high-tech simulation labs. From your first year, you’ll start building the skills you need to help others and succeed in your future career.
Communication Sciences and Disorders students are being trained in audiology equipment.
Learn from Experts Who Care
Our program is built to help you become both a skilled helper and a strong learner. We use fun, hands-on teaching and give you real-world experiences. Our teachers are experts in their fields and care deeply about helping students learn and grow. They’ll support and guide you every step of the way.
Professor Don Finan guides students on different audiology software.
Community Engaged Programs
We care about helping the community where we live, work, and have fun. Our students take part in community projects like Project Life and the Treasure Chest program. These programs help young children build their language and reading skills.
Graduate student assisting patient within the Communication Sciences Disorder Clinic.
Career Opportunities
A degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders from UNC can lead to many great jobs. Our graduates work in schools, hospitals, clinics, and offices, helping people of all ages improve their communication skills.
Students within the program receive the opportunity to have hands-on training.
UNC Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology Clinic
Serving the community since 1958, our on-campus clinic in Gunter Hall provides diagnostic and rehabilitative services for speech, language, hearing, and balance disorders across the lifespan. No referral is required.
Services include hearing evaluations, hearing aid support, cochlear implant care, speech and language therapy, swallowing treatment, and more. We also offer funding support for eligible children through the Scottish Rite Foundation of Colorado.
Build a Career That Changes Lives
Communication is essential to learning, relationships, and quality of life. A degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders prepares you to help children and adults overcome communication and hearing challenges while building a meaningful career in healthcare and education. Whether your path leads to graduate school or directly into the workforce, you’ll be prepared to make a lasting impact in your community.
Communication Sciences and Disorders graduates work in a variety of settings, including:
- Schools and educational programs
- Hospitals and medical centers
- Rehabilitation hospitals
- Private practices
- Early intervention programs
- Skilled nursing and long-term care facilities
- Community health organizations
- Hearing and balance clinics
Possible Career Paths
- Speech-Language Pathologist*
- Audiologist*
- Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA)
- Hearing Aid Specialist
- Early Intervention Specialist
- Rehabilitation Specialist
- Assistive Technology Specialist
- Healthcare or Research Coordinator
*Requires graduate education and professional licensure.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore the field or preparing for graduate school, these resources can help you learn about career options, education requirements, salaries, and employment opportunities.
Learn About the Profession
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) provides information about careers in speech-language pathology and audiology, educational pathways, certification, and licensure. Students can also explore ASHA’s planning guides to understand the steps from undergraduate education through graduate school.
Discover Why CSD
Explore the “Why CSD?” resources from Hearing & Speech Careers to learn how professionals improve lives every day and discover the many career opportunities available in communication sciences and disorders. Their student roadmap outlines steps to prepare for a successful career while still in high school and college.
Explore Career Options
Learn about careers such as Speech-Language Pathologist and Hearing Aid Specialist, including job outlook, salary information, daily responsibilities, and required education through trusted career resources like U.S. News & World Report.
Work While Pursuing Graduate School
Interested in gaining clinical experience before graduate school? Learn about becoming a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) in Colorado and the education and certification requirements needed to begin working in the field.
Voices From Our Department
From Doubt to Discovery: Kim Katie's Bold Path in Audiology
"With Dr. Finan's support, I designed and led a study exploring cybersecurity vulnerabilities in hearing aid technology. What once seemed like a far-fetched dream became a nationally recognized project, presented at the 2024 American Academy of Audiology Conference.”
Kim Katie
Finding Her Voice at UNC - Emma Kurtz
I am a person who stutters... Because of this, I wasn't sure if I was going to make it in the field of speech language pathology, much less get a master’s degree in it. But the friends and professors that I had throughout my program made me realize that even as a person who stutters, I can accomplish anything.”
Emma Kurtz
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