What a gift it is to help a child hear better so she can participate more fully in family and school activities. Or to help an adult who struggles with a speech disorder to confidently speak in front of his business peers. Or to help an elderly person learn to speak again after a stroke. The passionate professionals who are recognized for this kind of work are audiologists and speech-language pathologists. Audiologists focus on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of hearing and balance problems. Speech-language pathologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of speech, language, and swallowing disorders. These are two separate professions, but they're strongly connected in the category of human communication sciences. The Department of Communication Disorders provides intimate, dynamic instruction and hands-on training for undergraduate students in both the theoretical and applied aspects of human communication sciences and disorders, preparing graduates for post-secondary study and multi-disciplinary career opportunities.<br><br>You'll enter the Communication Disorders curriculum after achieving junior standing at AUM. The next two academic years will be spent completing academic coursework in speech-language pathology and audiology and obtaining required clinical training and experience with patients through the Speech and Hearing Center on AUM's campus. Students complete approximately 60 hours of supervised experience in speech-language therapy and assessment and treatment of patients with hearing disorders. In the job market, to practice as a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist, you'll need to earn the proper advanced degree from a nationally accredited program.