Speech Pathology and Audiology (B.S.)
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers a four-year undergraduate program of study in Speech Pathology & Audiology (SPA). Impairments of communication — speech, language, and hearing disorders – are among the most prevalent of human disabilities. Speech-language pathology & audiology are areas of professional specialization which focus on the development, identification and treatment of communication disorders. The goal of the Pre-Professional Speech Pathology & Audiology Program is to further the understanding of human communication processes and disorders through instructional programs, professional and community service activities, and academic coursework while preparing students for graduate education and/or a career in speech pathology or audiology assisting.
The curriculum integrates a sequence of coursework designed to provide a basic understanding of normal communication processes and an introduction to audiology and speech-language pathology. Major areas of concentration can be supplemented with coursework in the areas of education, gerontology, health sciences, psychology, and linguistics. These supplements broaden perspectives and support diverse career choices.
The undergraduate program is pre-professional in nature and is designed to prepare students for graduate education in speech language pathology & audiology. Because the Bachelor of Science degree does not qualify the student to be employed as a certified or licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist, the student must plan for enrollment in a master’s and/or doctoral degree program in order to complete their professional preparation.
Completion of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree at WLU, together with the completion of a professional master’s degree program in speech-language pathology or doctoral degree in audiology, satisfies the academic and practicum requirements of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for a Certificate of Clinical Competence in the area studied in graduate school (speech-language pathology or audiology).
Admission Process
Freshman and sophomore students interested in speech pathology & audiology are designated as Pre-Speech Pathology & Audiology (SPA) majors. In the spring semester of sophomore year, only those qualified Pre-SPA majors will be selected to enter the (B.S.) degree program junior year.
For admission into Pre-SPA, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- High School G.P.A. of 3.3 or better on a 4.0 scale.
- Enhanced ACT composite score of 20 or combined minimum score of 987 on the re-centered SAT.
- A score of 19 or better on the math portion of the ACT or a 500 on the SAT.
- A score of 18 or better on the English portion of the ACT or a 450 on the SAT.
- Transfer students must meet G.P.A. of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.
Required
Prior to admission into the B.S. degree program in SPA, students must apply, have a minimum overall GPA of a 3.0, meet specific requirements found on the application, and complete the following courses with a grade of “C” or better:
| SPA 150 | Applied Phonetics | 3 |
| SPA 151 | Survey of Communication Disorders | 3 |
| SPA 152 | Introduction to Acoustics | 3 |
| SPA 156 | Anatomy & Physiology of the Speech & Hearing Mechanism | 4 |
Requirements
Required Courses
Required Courses after Admission
| SPA 250 | Language Science | 3 |
| SPA 251 | Introduction to Clinical Practice: Audiology | 3 |
| SPA 252 | Sign Language I | 3 |
| SPA 254 | Articulation & Phonological Disorders | 3 |
| SPA 255 | Speech Science | 3 |
| SPA 300 | Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology of Speech, Language, & Hearing | 3 |
| SPA 308 | Voice & Fluency Disorders | 3 |
| SPA 316 | Language Disorders in Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| SPA 355 | Aural Rehabilitation | 3 |
| SPA 368 | Speech Pathology-Audiology Junior Seminar | 2 |
| SPA 468 | Speech Pathology-Audiology Senior Capstone | 2 |
Choose 15 hours from the following:
| SPA 310 | Communication Problems of the Aged | 3 |
| SPA 325 | Dysphagia | 3 |
| SPA 352 | Sign Language II | 3 |
| SPA 354 | Introduction to Hearing and Balance Disorders | 3 |
| SPA 400 | Observation in Communication Disorders | 3 |
| SPA 403 | Clinical Practicum in Communication Disorders | 3 |
| SPA 430 | Assessment & Management of Communication Disorders | 3 |
| SPA 452 | Advanced Sign Language | 3 |
| SPA 478 | Special Topics in Speech Pathology-Audiology | 1-3 |
| SPA 479 | Special Problems in Speech Pathology-Audiology | 3 |