Introduction
Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences (SLHS) includes two disciplines, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, which have developed out of a concern for people with communication disorders. The academic and clinical curriculum at the undergraduate level includes a wide range of courses and clinical practicum opportunities. Students study normal communication processes and disorders. Courses in normal processes include Language Development, Speech Acoustics, Hearing Science, and Anatomy and Physiology. Courses regarding disorders cover Language Disorders, Phonological Disorders, and Hearing Disorders, for example. The undergraduate education prepares students to pursue a graduate degree. A master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology or a clinical doctorate degree in Audiology and certification at the national level are required to engage in professional practice.
Why Consider a Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences Major?
Many people easily talk with family, friends, and colleagues every day. Although we often take language, speech, and hearing for granted, these processes are extraordinarily complex. Furthermore, anyone at any age can be affected by illness or injury that will impair the ability to talk or hear. In fact, one out of every six Americans has a communication disorder. Each one can be helped in some way by a speech-language pathologist, audiologist, or speech, language, and hearing scientist.
Grounded in the latest scientific theories and research, SLHS students learn to assess and treat persons with communication disorders — from infants to the elderly. In labs students have access to state-of-the-art equipment and analysis procedures as they study sound, speech, language, and hearing. Speech-language pathologists and audiologists make a positive contribution to people’s lives. With the changing makeup of our population comes the need for speech-language-hearing professionals who are skilled in working in a complex and diverse society. For people with the proper education and flexibility, employment prospects are excellent. Opportunities and challenges await you!
Student Resources
Department website: Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences
Contact information: Academic Instructional Center 394, 360-650-3885
Department advising:
- Anna Diedesch, Academic Instructional Center 398, 360-650-3172, Anna.Diedesch@wwu.edu;
- David Evans, Academic Instructional Center 376, 360-650-3178, evansd25@wwu.edu;
- Kelli Evans, Academic Instructional Center 388, 360-650-6299, evansk23@wwu.edu;
- Heather Moore, Academic Instructional Center 374, 360-650-7536, Heather.Moore@wwu.edu;
- Kimberly Peters, Academic Instructional Center 372, 360-650-3206, Kimberly.Peters@wwu.edu;
- Sterling Sheffield, Academic Instructional Center 384, 360-650-3857, sheffis@wwu.edu;
- Jennifer Thistle, Academic Instructional Center 378, 360-650-3157, thislj@wwu.edu;
- Elaine Xu, Academic Instructional Center 386, 360-650-2043, xuc2@wwu.edu.
Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
Sample Careers: Speech-Language Pathologist, Speech-Language Scientist, Government/Industry Consultant, Audiologist, Hearing Scientist, Clinic Administrator
How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):
Contact department for advising, plan of study, and declaration of minor.
Students wishing to declare a major in Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences must have:
- Completed at least 75 credits;
- Successfully completed or be currently enrolled in SLHS 251;
- Achieved a GPA (based on at least 12 credits) of 2.70 or higher. A grade of at least B- (2.70) in each of the year 1 Fall courses in the SLHS course sequence may be substituted for the overall 2.70 GPA.
- Send a Major Declaration and Change form to SLHS@wwu.edu.
As stated in the section regarding general university academic policies, “any grade below a C- is unacceptable in the student’s major or minor.” In the Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences Department students also are required to complete each prerequisite course with a grade of C- or better before enrolling in the courses for which that serves as a prerequisite.
Application deadlines: Students must begin the lock-step major in the fall quarter (usually the junior year) in order to complete the series of required courses within two years.
Advising Tips: Enroll in SLHS 251 to learn more about this major. Students must complete at least one course in Biological Sciences, Social/Behavioral Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Mathematics during undergraduate study to meet certification requirements. Contact a SLHS undergraduate advisor with questions.
Grade Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.
