Communication Sciences refers to the field of scientific study that focuses on human communication and the causes of communication disorders. Work in this area involves using a variety of techniques, methods and treatments to help people with communication impairments communicate at the functional level of everyday life. Communication Sciences analyses the underlying causes of many disorders that affect normal human speech and language function.

Communication Sciences is often confused with Communication Studies like Digital Communication, Business or Corporate Communication, and Strategic Communication. While Communication Sciences studies communication disorders and the development of speech and language, Communication Studies focuses on mediums of communication and proper ways to send a message in different contexts like business, politics and public speaking.

The curriculum of Communication Sciences provides undergraduate pre-professional course work and observation and it includes topics such as hearing mechanism, phonetics, physiology of speech, speech science, hearing science, language pathology, psycholinguistics, communication disorders in childhood and many more. These subjects are essential in helping students learn about specific disorders and the accepted interventions and strategies specific to each disorder, such as how to treat language impairment, hearing impairment, dyslexia, stuttering or how to help people with mouth abnormalities pronounce certain sounds.

The growing number of people with communication and language impairments reflects a need for qualified audiologists and speech language pathologists to serve the populace.

Study levels:

Undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs in Communication Sciences prepare students to be future leaders in speech-language pathology, audiology and related areas. However, aspiring students who already have an undergraduate degree in related fields such as Psychology, English, Linguistics and Education can still opt for a postgraduate program in Communication Sciences under the following programs:

• Bachelor of Arts in Language Development
• Bachelor of Arts in Education
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology
• Bachelor of Arts in English
• Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders
• Bachelor of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology
• Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Science
• Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders
• Master of Arts in Speech- Language Pathology
• Master of Arts in Speech Pathology and Audiology
• Master of Arts in Speech and Hearing Science
• PhD in Audiology
• PhD in Speech and Hearing Science
• PhD in Speech-Language Pathology
• PhD in Communication Science and Disorders

Specialisations:

The different areas of specialisation in a Communication Sciences course are:

• Audiologist
• Anatomy and Physiology of Speaking Mechanism
• Language Development
• Language Science
• Receptive and Expressive Language
• Aural Rehabilitation
• Phonetics
• Physiological Bases of Speech
• Speech Clinician

Employability:

A degree in communication sciences and disorders can give students the qualifications to pursue a variety of careers. Students who want to work directly with people in a helping profession, enjoy working with people of all ages, and are strong students academically are usually successful in the field of Communication Sciences. Employers in this field look for individuals who have the ability to communicate effectively, the aptitude for working with people who have special needs, the ability to approach problems objectively, take initiative, are patient and exhibit sensitivity.

While many graduates choose typical career paths related to Communication Sciences and Disorders, some graduates choose to use the skills and experiences they gained during their studies to pursue unrelated careers.

The following job roles professionally related with a degree in Communication Sciences are:

• Audiologist
• Clinical Supervisor
• Director of Speech and Hearing Services
• Early Intervention Specialist
• Hearing Clinician
• Hearing Scientist
• Human Resources Associate
• Operations Coordinator
• Private Practitioner
• Researcher
• Speech-Language Educator
• Speech-Language Pathologist
• Special Education Teacher
• Speech Clinician
• Speech Scientist
• University Professor

Other career opportunities include:

• Speech-language pathologist assistant*
• Child Care Centre Manager
• Hearing aid dispenser
• Substitute teacher
• Behavioural therapist 
• Nursing assistant
• Rehabilitation aide 
• Nursing home activity coordinator
• Day-care centre teacher/preschool aid
• ASL interpreter
• Child life specialist