Communication Sciences: A Thriving Discipline

Abstract

Recent issues of Science and Academe have highlighted the fact that opportunities for young scientists wishing to follow traditional academic careers are dwindling in most fields of study. While the reasons for these reduced opportunities may be debatable, the reality cannot be ignored. The Council of Graduate Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders would like to make the academic community aware of the fact that we represent one discipline in which employment opportunities in academia are actually increasing, with full employment of doctoral-level personnel anticipated well into the next century. The discipline of communication sciences and disorders includes the professional practice domains of speech-language pathology and audiology, as well as the speech, language, and hearing sciences. The discipline has a strong, interdisciplinary research base, which includes the neurosciences. Academic employment opportunities are greatest for those who typically receive clinical-professional training at the master's level and research training at the doctoral level. However, the contributions of scholars whose education and research activities address aspects of communication sciences are welcome and indeed necessary for maintenance of the vitality of the discipline.