Communication Sciences, BA

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Case Western Reserve University

Program Overview

The Communication Sciences, BA at Case Western Reserve University provides a strong foundation in human communication, speech, language, hearing, psychology, linguistics, and communication disorders, making it especially well suited for students planning careers in speech-language pathology, audiology, research, or related health fields. The 45-credit major combines scientific and clinical foundations with research preparation, while giving students opportunities to explore areas such as language development, multicultural communication, aging, audiology, and speech and hearing science.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students begin by building foundations in psychology and communication disorders through PSCL 101 General Psychology and COSI 109 Introduction to Communication Disorders. These courses introduce human behavior and the nature of communication disorders, establishing the groundwork for more specialized study.

Year 2:

Students develop a deeper understanding of speech, language, culture, and quantitative analysis through COSI 211 Phonetics and Phonology, COSI 260 Multicultural Aspects of Communication, and COSI 220 Introduction to American Sign Language. PSCL 282 Quantitative Methods in Psychology also strengthens students' ability to understand and work with research data.

Year 3:

The curriculum moves into the scientific foundations of communication through COSI 325 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech & Hearing Mechanism, COSI 313 Language Development, and COSI 321 Speech and Hearing Science. Students also take PSCL 375 Research Design and Analysis, developing the research skills needed to evaluate evidence and prepare for advanced study.

Year 4:

Students apply their knowledge to professional areas through COSI 352 Introduction to Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology, COSI 370 Introduction to Audiology, and COSI 345 Communication and Aging. Students can also explore independent study, health communication, neuroscience of communication disorders, or complete the COSI 395 Capstone and Honors Program through supervised research.

Focus Areas:

Communication disorders, speech-language pathology, audiology, phonetics and phonology, language development, American Sign Language, multicultural communication, speech and hearing science, anatomy and physiology, communication and aging, linguistics, psychology, quantitative research, research design, clinical practice, health communication, neuroscience of communication disorders, aural rehabilitation.

Learning Outcomes:

Students learn to evaluate communication-sciences research, understand behavioral, linguistic, cognitive, neurological, physiological, psychosocial, and cultural foundations of communication, explain how communication disorders affect quality of life, understand normal communication and swallowing processes, recognize social and cultural influences on communication, apply the principles of the ASHA Code of Ethics, and communicate effectively in oral and written formats.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

Case Western Reserve University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), with its accreditation reaffirmed in July 2025 and the next comprehensive review scheduled for 2034–35. The Communication Sciences BA itself is a pre-professional undergraduate degree rather than an ASHA-accredited clinical degree; CWRU's Communication Sciences MA is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of ASHA, providing a direct pathway for students who continue into professional speech-language pathology training.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings):

Case Western Reserve University is ranked No. 44 among U.S. national universities in the latest U.S. News & World Report ranking, while its speech-language pathology program is ranked No. 44 nationally. CWRU also reports that 99% of its undergraduates participate in experiential learning, reinforcing the university's emphasis on practical preparation and career development.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Communication Sciences students can move beyond classroom theory through research, clinical observation, independent projects, and supervised experiences. The program connects students with faculty-led research opportunities and specialized facilities such as the Speech and Auditory Research Lab (SpAR Lab), while courses such as COSI 352 provide direct observation of speech-language assessment and intervention. CWRU also offers university-wide practicum opportunities that can allow eligible students to apply academic knowledge in professional settings.

• COSI 352 – Introduction to Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology: Students observe speech/language assessment and intervention and complete 25 hours of observation, gaining an early understanding of clinical practice.

• PSCL 375 – Research Design and Analysis: Students learn literature searching, evaluation of scientific evidence, hypothesis development, and study design through a small-seminar format with substantial experiential learning.

• Speech and Auditory Research Lab (SpAR Lab): Students can become involved in research examining speech perception, hearing loss, speech in noisy environments, and multilingual communication; the lab has included undergraduate research assistants.

• Audiolab: Developed within the SpAR Lab, Audiolab teaches students skills including pure-tone hearing screenings, pure-tone audiometry, audiogram plotting, and recognition of different types of hearing loss.

• COSI 395 Capstone and Honors Program: Qualified students conduct an independent research project with close faculty supervision and produce a research manuscript or other final product.

• Independent Study – COSI 390: Students can undertake individualized reading, research, or special projects under the guidance of a faculty member.

• National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA): CWRU's NSSLHA chapter provides students interested in communication sciences and disorders with opportunities for mentorship, networking, volunteering, advocacy, and professional development.

• CWRU Practicum Program: Eligible students can apply classroom knowledge through internships or entrepreneurial projects, receive transcript notation, and potentially maintain full-time status while participating in qualifying full-time practicum experiences.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Communication Sciences at CWRU is particularly strong as a pathway toward advanced professional education. The university states that graduates typically continue into speech-language pathology or audiology, with a master's degree serving as the entry-level professional degree for speech-language pathology and an AuD serving as the professional degree for audiology.

Typical career directions: Speech-Language Pathology Assistant, Audiology Assistant, Communication Sciences Research Assistant, Clinical Research Assistant.

Students can strengthen their transition into employment or graduate study through CWRU's dedicated career infrastructure:

• Center for Career Success: Students have access to career advising, résumé reviews, appointments, workshops, interview rooms, Handshake, job postings, internships, and career fairs.

• Employer partnerships: CWRU works with employers through career fairs, information sessions, interviews, job postings, internships, and its Partners Program, giving students access to organizations recruiting CWRU talent.

• First Destination Survey: CWRU collects graduate outcome information covering employment, graduate or professional school, further plans, and the impact of experiential education.

• Research-to-career preparation: Students can build research experience through faculty labs, including the SpAR Lab, where undergraduate researchers have participated in speech and hearing studies and data collection.

• Professional preparation through NSSLHA: The CWRU NSSLHA chapter connects students with communication-sciences peers, mentorship, networking, advocacy, graduate-school preparation, and professional opportunities.

• Accreditation value: CWRU's institutional HLC accreditation was reaffirmed in 2025, while the university's graduate Communication Sciences program holds ASHA's specialized accreditation, supporting a strong academic pathway for students progressing toward professional clinical training.

• Graduate outcomes: CWRU's official First Destination Survey tracks whether graduates enter employment, graduate/professional education, or other post-graduation pathways; a Communication Sciences-specific salary figure is not published by CWRU, so a program-specific salary should not be assumed.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BA, students can progress into CWRU's MA in Communication Sciences for speech-language pathology preparation, pursue an AuD in Audiology or other relevant graduate/professional programs, or continue into research-focused graduate study. CWRU also offers a Communication Sciences PhD, while qualified undergraduates can take selected 400- or 500-level graduate courses with departmental/instructor permission and may participate in accelerated bachelor's/master's pathways.