You can make a difference by:

• helping others with speech-language and hearing impairments,
• advocating for prevention and service to family and friends, and
• making a positive difference in people’s lives.

You can also:

• enjoy a career in an expanding profession,
• contribute to the development of new techniques and use technology,
• earn a good living with salary or hourly/contractual options,
• work as part of a professional team or work independently, and
• enjoy job flexibility with different work setting options.

Learn more at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Web site.

Because of the importance and complexity of the communicative disorders field, high standards are generally set for speech and hearing professionals. Upon completing the bachelor’s degree at Nicholls, students enroll in graduate training in speech-language pathology or audiology. Completion of a master’s degree is required before an individual can be certified as a speech-language pathologist by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. For students beginning academic studies at this time, a doctorate of audiology is required for certification in audiology.

Graduate Study in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
A number of graduate programs exist throughout Louisiana and the nation. Visit the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association academic program search engine to find a program that meets your needs. Graduate requirements generally include an introduction to research processes; studies of specific speech, language and hearing disorders; and additional practical clinical experience in assessment and intervention. After graduate study, students are eligible to pursue ASHA certification and a full Louisiana state licensure from the Louisiana Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.

Q: What is a speech-language pathologist, and what does the job of a speech-language pathologist entail?
A: A speech-language pathologist works directly with individuals to prevent, identify and/or facilitate the recovery of clients with communication disorders. Types of communication disorders include fluency disorders (stuttering), voice disorders, speech sound production disorders, language disorders, cognitive-linguistic impairments and swallowing impairments.  A speech-language pathologist can work with a variety of populations from adults, who have had a brain injury or stroke and have lost their ability to speak, to children, who have not acquired the ability to speak or substitute one sound for another.  Learn more by visiting the ASHA Careers Web pages.

Q: What is an audiologist, and what does the job of an audiologist entail?
A: An audiologist evaluates clients with suspected or known hearing impairments to identify the nature and degree of a hearing loss. Audiologists can work in many different settings involving hearing conservation, amplification of residual hearing, fitting of ear molds and hearing aids, and evaluation and screening of populations including newborn infants to geriatrics. Learn more by visiting the ASHA Careers Web pages.

Q: What kinds of clients do speech-language pathologists and audiologists serve?
A:  Speech pathologists and audiologists work with clients from ages of birth to geriatrics with communicative disorders.

Q: Do I need a master’s degree to get a job in this field?
A:  A master’s degree is required before an individual can be certified as a speech-language pathologist by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. For students beginning academic studies at this time, a doctorate of audiology is required for certification in audiology.

Q: Are jobs readily available in this field?
A:  Jobs in the field of communicative disorders are readily available and work settings range from schools, home health, hospitals, nursing homes, preschools, universities, long-term acute care facilities, out-patient rehabilitation centers and private practices. Additionally, there are individuals employed in professional settings in both part-time and full-time capacities. Some in salaried positions and some in hourly and/or contractual positions.

The following scholarships are available for communicative disorders majors. Application forms may be obtained in the communicative disorders office.

THE HELEN ALENE MELANCON EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNICATIVE DISORDERS ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP is awarded to a high school graduate who demonstrates strong academic and leadership achievements and plans to major in communicative disorders. The recipient must be enrolled as a full-time student. The recipient may keep this scholarship for four years, provided he or she meets all the above criteria and maintains a 2.80 overall grade point average. The recipient must also demonstrate financial need.

JO CAROL NOLEN SCHOLARSHIP is awarded to a full-time student majoring in communicative disorders who has at least an overall 3.0 grade point average and at least a 3.5 grade point average in communicative disorders courses. Applicants must be active members in the Nicholls chapter of the National Student Speech, Language and Hearing Association and must submit the proper scholarship application before the required deadline.

Other scholarships for first time, continuing and transfer students can be found on the Financial Aid Web site.

Scholarship applicants should be academically strong and derive satisfaction from helping others overcome communication problems. They should also be alert, curious and patient, all qualities necessary for a career in communicative disorders. Financial need receives due attention when scholarship applicants are being considered.