College of Health, Education and Social Transformation
Communication Disorders
College of Health, Education and Social Transformation
Communication Disorders
Empower Lives Through Communication.
Launch Your Speech Pathology Career
Are you passionate about helping others overcome communication challenges? Our speech pathology degree program prepares you for impactful careers in speech-language pathology and audiology. Earning a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from NMSU prepares you for various fulfilling roles in healthcare, education and community-based services. It also provides a strong foundation for pursuing advanced studies in speech-language pathology or audiology graduate programs.
Admission Deadlines
There are no fixed deadlines*
- Total classes: 40
- Total credit hours: 120
- Cost per credit hour: $223.58**
Delivery Format
Career Pathways
With a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders, you can pursue roles in a wide range of professional settings, including community clinics, early intervention programs, hospitals, public school districts and skilled nursing facilities. Possible career paths include:
- Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
- Speech-Language Pathologist (requires master’s degree)
- Audiologist (requires clinical doctorate degree)
- Health Care Administrator
Degree questions, answered
Have questions about the Bachelor of Communication Disorders? Fill out our inquiry form.
Empower Communication, Foster Connection
Students who pursue the Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders at New Mexico State University are typically compassionate, patient, and dedicated individuals with a strong desire to help others overcome challenges related to speech, language, hearing, and swallowing. The Communication Disorders curriculum provides specialized preparation for students who would like to work as Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLP-A) and those who plan to enter a graduate program in speech-language pathology or audiology.
High Demand for Communication Disorders Majors
The demand for skilled speech-language pathologists and audiologists continues to grow. According to U.S. News & World Report (2025):
- Speech-Language Pathologists: Ranked #3 in Best Health Care Jobs with a median salary of $89,290
- Audiologists: Ranked #34 in Best Health Care Jobs with a median salary of $87,470
This program is ideal for:
- Career Changers: Individuals passionate about making a difference in healthcare and education by supporting communication development.
- Aspiring Speech-Language Pathologists: Students planning to pursue a master’s in speech-language pathology or clinical doctorate in audiology.
- Working Professionals: Those seeking an online program that offers the flexibility to study while maintaining current job and family responsibilities.
Earn Certification
Fulfills all educational requirements needed for certification as Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLP-A) by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Scholarships Available
Get up to 100% of tuition covered with the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship.**
The NMSU undergraduate program in Communication Disorders offers a pre-professional Bachelor of Science degree that prepares students for graduate work in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology. Students who complete a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders may either go on to complete a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology, complete a doctoral degree in Audiology, or complete additional supervised clinical hours to become a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLP-A) or the comparable Apprentice of Speech-Language Pathology (ASL) in New Mexico.
The BS in Communication Disorders program consists of 120 credits. To earn this degree, you must complete all University degree requirements, including General Education, Viewing a Wider World, and elective credits, with 48 credits in courses numbered 300 or above.
Take classes like:
- SPHS 2110 - Introduction to Communication Disorders
- SPHS 4510 - Phonetics
- SPHS 4720 – Anatomy and Physiology of Speech Mechanisms
- SPHS 4520 - Audiology
- SPHS 4820 - Neural Bases of Communication Disorders
- PSYC 2120 – Developmental Psychology
Minors can complement a major, broaden one's knowledge, and potentially enhance job prospects or graduate school applications. The Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders requires an established minor. Recommended minors for this degree are Linguistics, Spanish, or Counseling and Educational Psychology.
Ready to take the next step?
Request Information
Scholarships and Financial Aid
At NMSU, we strive to offer competitively priced tuition to keep your tuition costs affordable. If you need financial aid, we’re ready to work with you to determine the best ways to finance your education.
Financial assistance includes loans, grants and scholarship opportunities. To apply, use NMSU’s convenient Scholar Dollar$ one-stop scholarship application, which serves all students in the NMSU system.
NMSU students are also eligible for loans and grants. The first step in applying for financial aid is to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Learn more about financial aid opportunities at NMSU.
Contact Financial Aid
Phone: 1-888-729-6678
Email: financialaid@nmsu.edu
Accreditation
New Mexico State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Specialized accreditation from other accrediting agencies is also granted for some programs. NMSU’s accreditation ensures that your education meets high-quality standards and that your credits are transferable.