Welcome from the Chair
Welcome to the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of South Carolina, where students prepare for meaningful careers helping people connect, communicate and thrive!
Our graduate program in speech-language pathology brings together strong clinical training, research experience and close faculty mentorship in a supportive, challenging environment. Ranked No. 27 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report 2026, the program gives students the academic foundation and hands-on experience to grow into confident, compassionate professionals.
At USC, students do more than study communication disorders. They build the skills, confidence and professional judgment needed to make a real difference in people’s lives.
It is also an exciting time to enter the field. Speech-language pathology is ranked among the top health care careers by U.S. News & World Report, reflecting strong demand and wide-ranging opportunities in schools, hospitals, clinics, research settings and communities.
At USC, students do more than study communication disorders. They build the skills, confidence and professional judgment needed to make a real difference in people’s lives. Through the Montgomery Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic on our Columbia campus, students gain hands-on clinical experience in a state-of-the-art setting. They also benefit from dedicated supervisors and placement opportunities across the country!
Whether students are learning on campus or through our distance-education pathway, they are part of a program that is invested in their growth as clinicians, scholars and leaders in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders.
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders welcomes students who are eager to grow professionally, engage in meaningful clinical and academic experiences, and contribute to the field of communication sciences and disorders.
Sincerely,
Jean Neils-Strunjas, PhD, CCC-SLP
Professor and Chair
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Arnold School of Public Health
University of South Carolina