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Academics

Speech and Hearing Sciences

College of Liberal Arts


 

QUICK JUMP
  Speech and Hearing Sciences
  Requirements and Core Courses
  Careers in Speech and Hearing Sciences
  Suggested Strengths and Areas of Interest
  Scholarships and Financial Aid
  Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You
  Contact Information

Speech and Hearing Sciences

Speech and hearing sciences emphasizes the physiological, neurological, behavioral, and psychological dimensions of normal and disordered communication across the lifespan. The curriculum includes multicultural and global perspectives necessary to prepare students for success in a changing world.
• Offered at WSU: Bachelor of arts, minor, master of arts
• Available at: Pullman (B.A., minor), Spokane (B.A. completion program, M.A.)

Note: Freshman and sophomore course requirements (general education courses) must be completed at WSU Pullman or another institution before enrolling in the speech and hearing sciences B.A. completion program at WSU Spokane.

Requirements and Core Courses

—Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Sciences

• At least 45 of the total hours required for the bachelor’s degree in this program must be in 300-400 level courses.
• Successful completion of two semesters from SHS 473, 475 (may be taken twice), and 482 fulfills the university requirement of two writing-in-the-major [M] courses.
• Speech and hearing sciences majors are required to satisfactorily complete clinic apprenticeship and clinic practice (SHS 461 and 475) to fulfill degree requirements. Students must present evidence of good character and fitness to participate in clinic.
• The department offers two minors: one in speech and hearing sciences and one in disability studies.

NOTE: Students must meet course requirements outlined in the General Catalog to graduate.

REQUIRED COURSES, PULLMAN STUDENTS

DisSt 250—Perspectives on Disability
SHS 201—American Sign Language I
SHS 202—American Sign Language II
SHS 205—Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
SHS 371—Language Development
SHS 372—Hearing and Hearing Disorders
SHS 373—Clinical Phonetics
SHS 376—Speech Sound Disorders
SHS 377—Anatomy and Physiology of Speech Production
SHS 378—Speech and Hearing Sciences
SHS 461—Clinical Apprenticeship
SHS 471—Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology in Schools
SHS 472—Audiometry
SHS 473—Language and Literacy
SHS 475—Clinical Practice
SHS 477—Aural Rehabilitation
SHS 478—Language Impairment
SHS 479—Neuroanatomy
SHS 480—Senior Seminar
SHS 482—Assessment of Speech and Language
15 credit hours of electives, which may include one approved statistics course and Psych 105

REQUIRED COURSES, SPOKANE STUDENTS

DisSt 250—Perspectives on Disability
SHS 205—Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
SHS 371—Language Development
SHS 372—Hearing and Hearing Disorders
SHS 375—Phonetics
SHS 376—Speech Sound Disorders
SHS 377—Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Production
SHS 378—Speech and Hearing Sciences
SHS 451—Neurogenic Communication Disorders
SHS 461—Clinical Apprenticeship
SHS 471—Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology in Schools
SHS 472—Audiometry
SHS 473—Language and Literacy
SHS 477—Aural Rehabilitation
SHS 478—Language Impairment
SHS 479—Neuroanatomy
SHS 480—Senior Seminar
SHS 482—Assessment of Speech and Language
Rotating elective course (1–3 credits)
15 credit hours of electives, which may include one approved statistics course and Psych 105
Highly recommended:
SHS 201—American Sign Language I
SHS 202—American Sign Language II

SPEECH AND HEARING SCIENCES MINOR
A minor in speech and hearing sciences requires a minimum of 16 hours, including SHS 205, 371, and 372. Eight hours must be in 300-400 level courses, excluding SHS 461 and 475.

DISABILITY STUDIES MINOR
The disability studies minor examines the nature, meaning and consequences of disability within the context of diversity in America, as well as from a global perspective. The minor incorporates historical, political, cultural, medical, sociological, technological, educational, and legal perspectives to foster a coherent view of disability, and it is designed to require students to examine how disability intersects gender, race, class, age, and sexuality.

The minor consists of a minimum of 18 credit hours of course work; at least 9 credits must be 300 level or above. Three core courses (9 credits) are required: Social Inequality (SOC 340) or Social Psychology of Prejudice (CES 302), Perspectives on Disability (DisSt 250), and Disability and Society (DisSt 489). Students may select additional courses from within or across two subtracks: culture and society, and science and rehabilitation.

Careers in Speech and Hearing Sciences

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of speech-language pathologists and audiologists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2010. Federal legislation mandates the increased presence of speech-language pathologists and audiologists in public schools. An increase in the number of older adults in our society with speech-language and hearing problems places a great demand on the services of such pathologists and audiologists.

WSU’s speech and hearing sciences academic and clinical curriculum prepares graduates for this fast-paced job market and develops skills in critical thinking and problem solving, oral and written communication, computer literacy, and research. This foundation readies students for graduate school to earn the master’s degree required for professional practice in speech-language pathology or audiology. The undergraduate major in speech and hearing sciences also opens the way for various other careers in human services, counseling, rehabilitation, technical writing, technology support, medicine, law, and education.

Suggested Strengths and Areas of Interest

• An interest in people and disability
• A desire to work with clients of all ages in a variety of settings

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Speech and Hearing Sciences majors may apply for University-level scholarships and more than $50,000 in scholarships awarded by the College of Liberal Arts. Students may also be eligible for undergraduate awards.

In addition to scholarships from the University, federal and state financial aid (such as grants, work-study, and student loans) are available.

See the Costs and Financial Aid section of the WSU Web site for more information on the full range of financial assistance available to you.

Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You

• Education
• Human Development
• Neuroscience
• Psychology

Contact Information
Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences
Washington State University
PO Box 642420
Pullman, WA 99164-2420
Fax: 509-335-8357
speechhearing@wsu.edu
509-335-4525
 

Strengths of the Program

  • WSU’s Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences is one of only a few across the nation that gives undergraduate students hands-on, supervised, clinical experience.
  • Undergraduates conduct assessment and therapy with clients who have speech, language, and hearing problems and work in the labs of faculty on current research projects.
  • In addition to a fully equipped clinical facility, the department’s undergraduate computer lab provides access to eight networked computers with a wide variety of current software.
  • WSU’s chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association allows students to meet others with similar interests.
  • A post-baccalaureate program prepares nontraditional and returning students for entry to a master’s degree program in speech-language pathology or a doctoral program in audiology.
  • The speech-language pathology program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the State Board of Education.
  • Graduates of the WSU master’s program have exceeded the norms on the PRAXIS exam, a national examination in speech-language pathology.
  • "U.S. News and World Report" has ranked WSU's program in speech-language pathology as among the best in the nation for the last three consecutive years.
Office of Enrollment Management, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 888-GO TO WSU (888-468-6978), Contact Us