Communications Disorders – Online Degrees & Courses

Online Master’s Degree Programs

M.A. in Teaching – Special Education, Emotional/Behavioral Disorders from Walden University
This program examines behavior and developmental strategies that can lead to a positive and inclusive learning environment for students with emotional and/or behavioral disorders.
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M.S. in Education – Emotional/Behavioral Disorders from Walden University
For licensed teachers who want to transition into a special education classroom or bring these skills to their current teaching area.
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Online Certificate Programs

Special Education Endorsement Program – Emotional/Behavioral Disorders from Walden University
Walden University’s endorsement programs are approved by the Minnesota Board of Teaching for endorsement or add-on licensure in Minnesota.
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About Communications Disorder Careers & Training

Communication disorders are a wide-ranging class of disorders that affect approximately 46 million Americans of all ages and classes. A communication disorder is classified as any pathology that inhibits, alters, or otherwise negatively effects successful communication between individuals. Disorders may result from a variety of causes, ranging from genetic mutation to brain trauma or even advanced age. Diagnoses include autism, Asperger syndrome, learning disabilities, stuttering, delayed language development, deafness, dyslexia, and the like. As effective communication, and its root skill language, is the social bridge between the interior and exterior worlds, any untreated disorder can be a troubling obstacle to a full and happy life.

Pursuing a career in a communication disorders essentially means studying, identifying, and treating the causes of any communication disorder that may arise in patients. Moreover, it is a noble profession with the ability to translate into multiple workplaces. Assisting patients in overcoming their communication disorders is a rewarding profession that is both lucrative and high in demand.

Career Paths

Just as there are numerous types of communication disorders, there are numerous types of career paths within the field of communication disorders. You may choose to work as:

• Speech pathologist – A general career path that includes working with patients of all kinds who suffer from communication disorders related to speech and fluency problems.
• Audiologist – Covers working with patients with auditory problems such as deafness or aural imbalance.
• Special Education Teacher – Working with children and students with a variety of communication disorders such as autism.
• Private School Teacher – Employment in a school that specializes in educating and training children with communication disorders to productively function in mainstream society.
• Counselor – Usually requires a Masters degree, but allows you to work closely with patients in a therapeutic setting such as a hospital or rehabilitation clinic.
• English as a Second Language Teacher – Working with immigrants and other individuals to attain a conversational standard of English.
• Speech Therapist – Working with patients to eliminate stuttering or any other vocal impairment.

There are many other professions that fall under the heading of communications disorders. With the correct credentials it is possible also to work as a college professor, researcher, and interpreter. What specialization is the best for you depends entirely upon your personal inclination and educational background.

Education

All individuals who plan to pursue a career in communications disorders should be prepared to have their communications skills tested prior to admission to any program. After all, communication disorders specialists must themselves be able to communicate efficiently in order to treat others productively! Once the appropriate examinations have been completed, an exacting educational track will prepare you for a lucrative career in the study and treatment of communication disorders.

In order to be considered a competitive candidate by the largest selection of employers, it is recommended that you earn a Master of Science degree in Communications Disorders. It is within M.S. programs that you can choose to specialize in a certain age group or class of study, work with professors in a clinical setting to hone skills and learn new treatment techniques. In addition, an M.S. is considered the standard degree with which to achieve licensing, a credential necessary to practice in most States. To be eligible for an M.S. program, you must complete a Bachelor of Science Education Degree in. An undergraduate education will teach you how to diagnose symptoms and design treatments for most communication disorders.

To enter the highest pay bracket for the field, interested candidates should inquire into achieving a Doctoral Degree in Communications Disorders.

Employment Opportunities & Salary

As the rate of diagnosis of communication disorders increases in the general population, the demand for communication disorders specialists has also increased. Currently, the typical for salary communication disorder professionals ranges from $40,000 to $160,000 per year. Available workplaces include hospitals, private clinics, nursing homes, government agencies, and laboratories among others.

Most employers require that candidates for communication disorder positions be certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Completion of an M.S. degree is required for certification.