Communication sciences and disorders undergraduate programs in georgia

Made for Impact.

Help children and adults who have disorders of speech, language, hearing, and swallowing. Achieve a rewarding career in speech-language pathology. Create a better life for others.

Speech pathologists work to prevent, assess, diagnose and treat children and adults who may need assistance with speech, language as well as cognitive and social communication. Nationwide, there is a shortage of speech pathologists and over the next 10 years, it’s anticipated that speech pathology as a career path will grow 25%.

Piedmont University’s Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Communication Sciences and Disorders is a pre-professional degree that prepares graduates to pursue additional education in Communication Sciences and Disorders or Speech and Language Pathology.

A master's degree is required to become a certified, licensed speech-language pathologist. Piedmont University offers two paths to the M.S. degree in speech-language pathology. One path is a B.S./M.S. Integrated Program. The second path is for students who have completed a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders and are seeking enrollment in a two-year M.S. program.

Click here for more information about the two paths to a M.S. in speech-language pathology.

Piedmont University is accepting applications for the first graduate cohort which is planned to begin fall 2023.

Students pursuing a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders will study the nature and development of our communication abilities – a central aspect of the human condition. Students will learn about communication disorders that involve impairments in hearing, speech, voice, resonance, fluency, swallowing and language processes. Courses also include education in language development, audiology and linguistics. With this broad academic preparation in the identification and treatment of communication disorders, students are well prepared to further their education and to become a licensed Speech – Language Pathologist (SLP).

Throughout the program, students will utilize their emerging skills at a clinic on Piedmont’s Demorest Campus – ranked America’s Safest Campus – where area residents will receive assessment and treatment while allowing students to gain meaningful and practical learning experiences. The clinic will also allow students to begin earning clinical hours that can be applied to their graduate degrees while still at the undergraduate level – another way Piedmont is streamlining these experiences.

The clinic is planned to open in 2023 and offer services in a select scope of practice areas.

What classes will I take for the B.S. degree?

Accreditation

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in Speech-Language Pathology (residential) at Piedmont University is an Applicant for Candidacy by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

Faculty

Dr. Monica L. Bellon-Harn has been a certified, licensed speech-language pathologist since 1993 and university professor since 1996. She and her husband Dr. Bill Harn have worked in the same department since that time and look forward to continuing at Piedmont. Across her work as a professor, she has kept one foot in clinical practice and enjoys bringing real-world clinical experiences into the classroom and including students in clinical research. She has published over 65 peer-reviewed research articles, many of which have included undergraduate and graduate students as co-authors. Her research focuses on intervention and service delivery issues related to child speech and language disorders and mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students. Recently, her research has extended to consumer health informatics and digital therapeutics.  

She came to Piedmont University in 2021 and her favorite things about Peidmont are the great people, awesome community, and the beautiful location! When she is not in the classroom or clinic you may find her running, writing or having fun with her children and grandchildren.

Click here to view Dr. Bellon-Harn's publications.

Dr. William E. Harn has been a professor of Speech-Language Pathology since 1987.  He has been a faculty member and department chair at Texas Tech University, Western Carolina University, University of Southern Mississippi, and Lamar University.  From 2013 to 2020 he served as Dean of Graduate Studies at Lamar University. He has delivered research presentations to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, International Congress of Phonetic Sciences, International Congress for the Study of Child Language, and the Symposium for Research in Child Language Disorders. He has served two terms as a site visitor for the Council on Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

He enjoys playing classical guitar and running road races from 5Ks up to half-marathons.  He is also an avid student of languages and is currently learning French and Swedish.

Research Activity

Commitment to Equity & Inclusion

Piedmont University is committed to equity and inclusion. We concur with that commitment and expect to maintain a positive learning environment based upon open communication, mutual respect, and non-discrimination. Our University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veterans status, religion, sexual orientation, color, or national origin. Any suggestions as to how to further such a positive and open environment will be appreciated and given serious consideration.

What undergraduate degree is best for SLP?

Does UGA offer a speech pathology program?

How do I become a speech pathologist in Georgia?

Does UGA have an audiology program?