The study presented examines the effect of virtual learning in Communication Science and Disorders students’ academic performance, measured by their grade point average (GPA) and virtual learning experience during and after the COVID-19 pandemic (2019-2021). The issues students faced during the virtual learning experience included transitioning to virtual learning, different professors’ virtual learning strategies, and financial burdens when it came to technology cost/access. The question being proposed is whether virtual learning has affected the academic performance of CSDO students across the United States due to the obstacles stated. Factors that were included in this study were their academic performance measured by the results of their GPA (grade point average) during the years of 2019-2020 and after, classification, and access to technology. The study has gathered answers from a survey presented to participants that were CSDO students either in an undergraduate or graduate program during the years, above the age of 18, and attended school virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic and in person classes after. The purpose of the study being presented is to show the impact of COVID -19 on CSDO (Communication Science and Disorders) college students’ academic performance and experience. ​ The results shown present that virtual learning presented struggles but did not affect the academic performance overall from the participants studied.

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Debbie Forman

Department of Clinical Health Sciences