If you're motivated to help others, consider pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communicative disorders (COMD). Whether you're preparing for an advanced degree or you want to develop a strong foundation for employment in human services, education or health care, communicative disorders may be a good fit for you. It combines the best qualities of health care and teaching and makes for a rewarding career.
The communicative disorders field is broad and brings many different work opportunities:
Learn about our exciting organization, Communicative Disorders Student Association (COMDSA), and how you can be part of it.
Do you have community college credits? Our students appreciate the number of credits that can be transferred from a community college toward our undergraduate degree program. To learn more, contact undergraduate advisor Liz Yee at eyee1@niu.edu.
Want to reach a current COMD undergraduate student to learn more? Email us at comdsa@niu.edu and you'll be contacted by a student who can answer your questions.
With a B.S. degree in communicative disorders you'll gain in-depth knowledge of communication processes and the nature and impact of communication disorders. Your strong understanding of diversity and disability will be applicable to a number of interesting careers:
With some additional examinations or certifications, you'll be prepared for the following roles:
When you earn your undergraduate degree in communicative disorders, you'll need to meet additional educational requirements necessary to become an audiologist or speech-language pathologist. The undergraduate communicative disorders program provides basic information regarding communication development and disorders, hearing, disability and rehabilitation, and prepares students for entering the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) or the Master of Arts in communicative disorders program with a specialization in speech-language pathology. Both programs are offered at NIU.
My major is communicative disorders with an emphasis in audiology. I genuinely have a drive to help others. That being said, I also wanted to choose an area of study where I would be able to leave my mark, whether that was on a small or large scale. I also always knew I had a passion for people and, specifically, the more health-focused side of things. Putting that all together, I knew I needed something challenging, and also based around human well-being.
– Diana Jarocki, ‘19
School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders
340 Wirtz Hall
DeKalb, IL 60115
Monday through Friday 8 a.m.–noon, and 1–4:30 p.m.