About the School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders

Welcome to the School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders. We are a diverse unit with accredited programs in the areas of audiology, physical therapy and speech-language pathology. We are devoted to student academic success and encourage students to reach out to their academic advisors and instructional staff, as well as to get involved in extracurricular activities. Faculty in our school serve as advisors for multiple university-affiliated student associations.

Undergraduate students have wonderful opportunities to observe and be involved in clinical experiences. Additionally, students can engage in many aspects of faculty research, participate in outreach activities such as summer camps and information sessions, or study abroad with Allied Health and Communicative Disorders faculty. While some professions require a master's (speech-language pathology) or a doctoral degree (audiology, physical therapy), there are employment opportunities for individuals with the undergraduate degree we offer: B.S in communicative disorders. Additionally, we offer a minor in communicative disorders for students who want to complement their majors with these specialized areas. 

At the graduate level, we offer a Master of Arts in Communicative Disorders with specialization in speech-language pathology, Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) and Physical Therapy (D.P.T.). Through clinically focused research, students gain a deep understanding of their field. Ultimately, our academic and clinical preparation results in thoughtful and competent professionals who utilize evidence-based practice. Many of our alumni return to campus to discuss professional issues with our students or serve as supervisors for students who are participating in their external clinical placement.

Northern Illinois University’s Family Health, Wellness and Literacy Center houses the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic and Physical Therapy Clinic where graduate students in audiology, speech-language pathology and physical therapy provide clinical evaluations and treatment within their scope of practice. In addition to experiences gained on the university campus, all graduate students in the school are placed in external clinical settings to gain professional experience prior to graduation.

We look forward to meeting you and helping you reach your academic and career goals. Please take advantage of all that Northern Illinois University and Allied Health and Communicative Disorders has to offer. We truly are invested in having you learn today, so you can lead tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Sherrill R. Morris, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Chair
815-753-1486
srmorris@niu.edu