- Note: The Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences Post-Baccalaureate Certificate will begin accepting students starting fall 2026.
Introduction
The Department of Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences (SLHS) offers a post-baccalaureate certificate for students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology. Such students currently hold a degree outside the discipline of speech, language, and hearing science or hold a SLHS degree that was completed eight or more years ago. This certificate program is designed to prepare such students for graduate-level study in speech-language pathology or audiology. The certificate program is a 4-quarter lockstep program beginning fall quarter. Courses are taken sequentially through the year, including summer quarter.
The certificate program is administered by the Outreach and Continuing Education division of Western Washington University and is self-supporting with a tuition rate that differs from that of regularly enrolled undergraduate students. It is important to note that acceptance into this post-baccalaureate certificate program does not guarantee admission to the graduate program. Completion of the Western Washington University post-baccalaureate certificate qualifies students for consideration for admission to our master’s program in Speech-Language Pathology or similar graduate programs in other universities.
Why Consider a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences?
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: Dr. Jennifer Thistle, 360-650-3197, thistlj@wwu.edu
Department advising: AIC 394, 360-650-3885
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):
If you are interested in applying to the post-baccalaureate certificate program, please contact Jenny Hebert, hebert@wwu.edu, for an application packet.
- An undergraduate degree in a major other than speech pathology/audiology
- A completed application form
- Resume (font size no smaller than 11 and one-inch margins for all materials)
- A copy of a sealed official transcript from each college or university attended
- Three letters of recommendation
- A one-page statement of purpose
- A non-refundable $60 application fee made out to WWU
- Review and recommendation by the SLHS faculty
Grade Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s certificate courses, and supporting courses for certificates.
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