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Catherine PalmerWelcome to the Department of Communication Science and Disorders at the University of Pittsburgh! We hope you’ll consider joining us and allowing us to share in your educational journey. Our department is made up of world class educators, clinicians, researchers and support staff who are focused on making the world a better place for people who experience language, speech, voice, swallowing, hearing and balance challenges across the lifespan. Please consider this an invitation to become part of this mission. 

The Department of Communication Science and Disorders is located in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS). We are home to many top-ranked programs in the country, including Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Audiology, and Speech-Language Pathology. Our relationship within SHRS and across the Health Sciences provides our students with outstanding opportunities for interprofessional education and practice.  

Our broad focus on education takes you out of the classroom and into the community. The University of Pittsburgh is uniquely situated with its strategic partnership with the UPMC Integrated Health System and commitment to community engagement to provide unparalleled opportunities for our students to engage with diverse populations.  

Our research labs contribute to the knowledge base through basic, applied, and translational research. This work permeates our classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences by bringing an evidence-based approach to all that we do. Lifelong learning is our goal and joining us in the Department of Communication Science and Disorders is your first step on this pathway. Whether you are joining us for an undergraduate or graduate degree, you will leave the program ready to be employed, ready to participate fully in your chosen career, and ready to pursue excellence in all that you do. We look forward to welcoming and supporting you on this journey!   

Hail to Pitt!

Sincerely,

Catherine Palmer signature

Catherine V. Palmer, PhD 
Professor and Interim Chair, Department of Communication Science and Disorders 
Professor, Department of Otolaryngology 
Director, UPMC Audiology 
cvp@pitt.edu