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Eastern New Mexico University

Bachelor of Science in Communicative Disorders

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists help clients maximize their speech, language and hearing abilities.

Professionals trained to assess and treat speech and language disorders are called speech-language pathologists (sometimes informally referred to as speech therapists). Speech-language pathologists also assist clients with swallowing disorders. Professionals trained to assess and treat hearing and balance disorders are called audiologists. Audiologists also select, fit and dispense amplification systems such as hearing aids.

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists treat clients who have difficulty with:

  • Articulation (pronunciation)
  • Language
  • Swallowing
  • Fluency (stuttering)
  • Voice (pitch, loudness)
  • Hearing

Speech-language pathologists also work with:

  • Accent and dialect reduction
  • Augmentative and alternative devices
  • Autism spectrum disorders
  • Learning disabilities
  • Neurological disorders
  • Vestibular or balance disorders

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists work with clients who range from infants to the elderly in a variety of settings, such as schools clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private practice and state agencies).

ENMU's undergraduate communicative disorders program provides preprofessional instruction in normal and disordered processes of speech, language and hearing. It prepares the student for a master's program and eventual certification and licensure in  speech-language pathology or audiology. 

A bachelor's degree in communicative disorders does not assure entrance into a graduate program, either at ENMU or elsewhere. Students are strongly encouraged to maintain high levels of academic performance as undergraduates to increase their chances of acceptance to a graduate program. At ENMU, a student must have junior status with an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 to enroll in any 300-level CDIS courses. To enroll in any 400-level CDIS courses, a student must have senior status with an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or better. Students must also complete a minor as a Bachelor of Science requirement. The minor must be in psychology, biology or an area approved by the CDIS faculty.

View the Bachelor of Science in Communicative Disorders degree plan.

More Information

Contact Us

For more information, please contact the department office at 575.562.2156 or the department chair,
Dr. Suzanne Swift at 575.562.2724.