Location: 115 Speech-Hearing and Deafness Center, Phone: (409) 880-8338
Chair: William E. Harn
Chair E-mail: william.harn@lamar.edu
The Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences (SPHS) supports instruction, research and service, and the primary mission areas of Â鶹ӳ»Ó°Òô through the degree programs offered. The department offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders for students interested in pursuing work in the fields of audiology and speech-language pathology. The undergraduate major is a multi-disciplinary pre-professional program that provides a foundation for a graduate specialization, state license, and/or national certification within the professional fields of audiology and speech-language pathology. The graduate programs of study are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Completion of the master’s degree is mandated by Texas law for professional employment in speech-language pathology. The degree for professional practice is now the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) (See the Graduate Catalog for requirements).
A new student initiating study at Â鶹ӳ»Ó°Òô must meet all admission requirements of the university (See Admissions for Undergraduates or Graduates as applicable). Transfer students or students who wish to enter the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences programs by change of major must meet admission requirements or have a minimum grade point average of 2.50 or better. Grades of “D” are not acceptable as course completion for required classes in departmental majors, nor are they acceptable as course completion for classes to be used as professional electives by student majors within the department.
All majors in the department must complete the basic Philosophy of Knowledge Core Curriculum requirements of Â鶹ӳ»Ó°Òô as their academic foundation course work. Faculty advisors will provide direction to the student concerning departmental requirements within the Core Curriculum when course choices are available to meet the university’s Core Curriculum requirements. The Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences requires all transfer, freshmen-level, and senior-level students to see a faculty advisor within the department. Further, this department strongly encourages all students to seek academic advisement from the faculty for efficient matriculation through the undergraduate program. Advisors may be seen during the university posted time for each semester or by appointment. Required courses are listed with more information about each.
Undergraduate
Graduate
Total Min. Hours: 123
The bachelor’s degree program in Communication Disorders, which prepares students for graduate specialization in Audiology, Deaf Education or Speech-Language Pathology, requires each student to complete a REQUIRED departmental core and advanced classes for the student’s specific career interests for a total of 42 hours.
The degree of Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders will be awarded upon completion of the following requirements:
Â鶹ӳ»Ó°Òô programs in audiology and in speech-language pathology hold national certification by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech, Language, Hearing Association (ASHA). Students completing a master’s degree in speech-language pathology typically meet the national certification standards of ASHA as well as requirements for state license. Speech-language pathology graduates who meet ASHA and state certification standards are also considered eligible for employment as speech-language pathologists in public schools. Depending on the student’s undergraduate program of study, the typical 36-semester-hour master’s degree may need to be expanded to accommodate ASHA certification and state licensing requirements. Speech-language pathology students must complete a minimum of 375 hours of supervised clinical practicum, part of which may be accumulated at the undergraduate level.
Graduates may apply to ASHA for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in speech-language pathology. This national certification requires the completion of specified course work and clinical practice. Students seeking ASHA certification should obtain a copy of ASHA regulations from a faculty advisor early in their training program.
ASHA standards mandate the passing of national qualifying board examinations for prospective speech-language pathologists. Master’s students typically take these examinations during their final semester.
Applicants for admission to the doctoral program in Audiology are ranked for admission based on the following criteria: