Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology

The undergraduate program in Speech Pathology and Audiology is committed to the preparation of students interested in graduate study and eventual careers as a speech-language pathologist, audiologist, or as a researcher/teacher-scholar within the discipline of communication sciences and disorders. Leading to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree, this pre-professional program emphasizes education in liberal studies; anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanisms; development of speech and language skills; awareness of cultural diversity and its relationship to communication; phonetics; and a broad introduction to communication sciences and disorders. The professions of speech-language pathology and audiology are exciting fields wherein professionals provide services to individuals with communication disorders. The demand for certified practitioners is continually increasing; consequently, job prospects remain very good. The pre-professional undergraduate program and subsequent graduate study in either speech-language pathology or audiology enable graduates to seek employment in a variety of settings and work with individuals of all ages. They may also pursue academic and research careers in the discipline of communication sciences and disorders. Major Learning Goals The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is committed to the preparation of students interested in graduate study and eventual careers as a speech-language pathologist, audiologist, or as a researcher/teacher-scholar within the discipline of communication sciences and disorders. To those ends, the program has established the following learning goals, which are linked to the department's mission: Prepare students for subsequent graduate study in audiology, speech-language pathology, or communication sciences and disorders. Provide broad knowledge relating to theory and practice within the discipline of communication sciences and disorders. Provide learning and outreach opportunities to support students’ interests in diverse populations and cultures. Develop communication skills, phonetic transcription skills, and awareness of cultural diversity and its relationship to communication. Career Profile The professions of speech-language pathology and audiology are exciting fields wherein professionals provide services to individuals with communication disorders. The demand for certified practitioners is continually increasing; consequently, job prospects remain very good. The pre-professional undergraduate program and graduate study in either speech-language pathology or audiology enable graduates to seek employment in a variety of settings and work with individuals of all ages. They may also pursue academic and research careers in the discipline of communication sciences and disorders. Speech-language pathologists and audiologists work in a variety of settings and with a broad range of clients. They may work in public or private clinics or within a school or medical setting. They may be employed by a large institution or be self-employed. Their clients range from very young children to geriatric patients, and they may have a broad range of disorders or very specialized impairments. Whatever the setting in which they choose to practice, practitioners find speech-language pathology and audiology exciting and rewarding fields. The undergraduate Speech Pathology and Audiology Program is the first step in preparing students to become practicing speech-language pathologists or audiologists. Students who wish to pursue professional employment in the field need to pursue a master’s degree in speech-language pathology or a clinical doctoral degree in audiology.