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California State University, Chico
College of Communication and Education

Communication Sciences and Disorders BS

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  • Program Type

    Undergraduate Major

  • Delivery Type

    On Campus

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Open the door to a rewarding career where you will help clients of all ages unlock the power of communication. Your degree will prepare you to work in healthcare, education, research, or start your own practice.

We've been shaping top-notch speech therapists and audiologists and offering essential speech, language, and hearing services to the North State community—at no cost—for over 75 years. Be a part of this special program. It has evolved since its inception, but we have a clear legacy: Students ready to make a positive difference.

A staff member is sitting across a child who is pointing at small cards on a table.

Putting Theory into Practice

You’ll work side by side with the peers in your cohort as you learn, study, serve clients. You will cover themes from phonetics and autism to anatomy and aging while you are completing a minimum of 110 hours of clinical fieldwork.

A High-Reward, In-Demand Career

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists continue to be in high demand. A 19% increase in the number of SLPs employed from 2022 to 2032 is expected, while the number of audiologists employed is set to grow by 11%.

Here’s where some of our alumni are already working:

  • Enloe Health
  • Parent Infant Programs
  • Far Northern Regional Center
  • School districts
  • Private practice
Amber Smith
“
I always felt prepared for any new position I stepped into. I relied on my skills and the foundational knowledge I gained from my time at Chico State.
Amber Smith (Communication Sciences and Disorders, ’10; MA, Communication Sciences and Disorders, ’12)

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Don't just imagine your future—experience it firsthand. Gain valuable work experience and network with industry professionals while exploring career opportunities in speech therapy and audiology.

  • A staff member is holding blue cards and sitting across an elderly patient.

    Clinic for Communication Disorders

    Apply the innovative therapies and techniques you are learning in class under the guidance of faculty. Our on-campus clinic provides over 1,000 hours of free services each semester.

  • Staff member pushing a kid in a wheel chair while they run under a big rainbow parashot.

    Fieldwork

    Study overseas to work with children with physical and cognitive disabilities. Collaborate with regional Parkinson’s support groups. Or volunteer at local schools.

  • Two staff member siting across each other while drawing on colorful paper.

    Research

    Be part of the solution investigating topics like adult-based communication disorders and neurology to present at conferences and on-campus symposiums.

A smiling student providing assistance to a grade school student in a classroom setting.

Build Your Network

Join a pre-professional student organization, such as the National Student Speech, Language, and Hearing Association Chico Chapter, to make friends and expand your network. Or join the thousands of Wildcats who volunteer 60,000+ hours annually through Community Action Volunteers in Education (CAVE).

Discover Stories and More

Chico State Today
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