Speech and Hearing Science

Program Overview

Speech and Hearing Science

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Communicative Disorders and Sciences

Major

Speech and Hearing Science BA

Combined

Speech and Hearing Science BA/Early Childhood Education EdM

Minor

Speech and Hearing Science Minor

Program Description

The Speech and Hearing Science program at the University at Buffalo (UB) is a science-based major that allows students to work with people and have a direct impact on their lives. Students will study the development and disorders of language, hearing, and speech, and learn how anatomy, biology, psychology, and other factors affect how people speak, hear, and understand throughout their lifespan.

What Will I Learn?

As a speech and hearing science student, you will study the development and disorders of language, hearing, and speech. You will learn how anatomy, biology, psychology, and other factors affect how people speak, hear, and understand throughout their lifespan. You will also take required classes in acoustics, audiology, speech-language pathology, and technical skills such as statistics. Additionally, you can choose to explore related areas such as sociology and linguistics.

What Can I Do Outside of Class?

A highlight of the UB experience is the UB Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Clinic, where you will gain practical experience working with faculty members in diagnosing and treating speech, language, and hearing disorders. You can also:

• Study abroad and learn about language and speech in a different culture.
• Get internship experience in various educational settings.
• Join one of our student groups, including groups specifically for students in this major, where you can meet friends and volunteer in the community.
• Get involved with research, even as an undergraduate.

What Can I Do with a Speech and Hearing Science Degree?

This program puts you on track for some of the most highly ranked health care professions. Upon graduation, students typically go into one of three educational paths at the graduate level in preparation for a career as a(n):

• Audiologist, preventing and treating auditory disorders (hearing and balance issues) for children or adults. An advanced degree is required for certification.
• Speech-language pathologist, helping people who have problems with their speech, language, voice, or swallowing. An advanced degree is required for certification.
• Speech, language, and hearing scientist. If you'd rather conduct research to advance the field, or if you want to teach at a university, this career could be the perfect fit.

While graduates work in all types of settings (including universities and private practices), you'll typically work in a hospital, community clinic, or school, especially if you're an audiologist or speech-language pathologist.

Who Will I Learn From?

Our faculty possess expertise in all areas of speech, language, audiology, and hearing sciences. In addition, our faculty members have been recognized and honored for their work with leading journals and professional organizations around the world. As a speech and hearing science student, you'll also have opportunities to learn from professors in related fields such as neuroscience.

Program Outline

Extracted Information:

Degree Overview:

• Ranked 1st in London for Radiography (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)
• 0% of students were satisfied with the overall student experience - Radiography (NSS 2023)
• Offers a £5,000 non-repayable grant per year
• Aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to become competent and compassionate Therapeutic Radiographers
• Provides a combination of theoretical and clinical learning
• Features excellent radiotherapy learning facilities
• Offers opportunities arising from close links with radiotherapy departments, the radiography profession, and industry
• Includes VERT (Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training) room for immersive learning
• Involves using the Varian Eclipse dosimetry planning system, the same as in clinical practice
• Requires completing approximately half of the degree on clinical placement (students have been placed at various noted hospitals)
• Allows students to rotate through different placement locations for a comprehensive understanding of techniques and approaches

Outline:

• Year 1:
• Preparation for Professional Practice (15 credits)
• Principles of Oncology & Radiotherapy Practice (15 credits)
• Anatomy, Physiology & Oncology 1 (30 credits)
• Anatomy, Physiology & Oncology 2 (30 credits)
• Principles of Radiotherapy Equipment (15 credits)
• Competence to Practice 1 (15 credits)
• Year 2:
• Principles of Radiography Research (15 credits)
• Management and Radiotherapy Technique (30 credits)
• Competence to Practice 2 (30 credits)
• Radiotherapy Physics and Dosimetry (30 credits)
• Radiobiology (15 credits)
• Year 3:
• Radiography Research Exercise (30 credits)
• Holistic Patient Care (15 credits)
• Progressive Radiotherapy Techniques (15 credits)
• Competence to Practice 3 (30 credits)
• Transition to Therapeutic Radiography Practitioner (30 credits)

Assessment:

• Uses a variety of assessment methods:
• Multiple choice tests
• Unseen written exams
• Objective structured clinical/practical examinations (OSCE/OSPE)
• Written assignments
• Oral and poster presentations
• Research exercises
• Self-reflective statements
• In a typical three-year degree, the final degree classification is calculated from the first, second, and final years, with weightings of 10%, 40%, and 50% respectively.
• The approximate percentage of the course assessed by coursework varies for each year, but has been recorded as:
• Year 1: 95% written examination, 5% coursework
• Year 2: 25% written examination, 45% practical, 30% coursework
• Year 3: 13% written examination, 13% practical, 74% coursework

Teaching:

• Led by expert staff who are leaders in the field, many of whom have worked in specialized roles and advanced practice prior to their teaching career
• Varies in format, including lectures, workshops, seminars, self-directed study, research exercises, group-learning and work-based activity, and tutorials
• Reinforced through the use of e-learning with self-tests, quizzes, and online lecture notes
• Includes access to the latest equipment in a self-contained simulated hospital environment in the School’s Clinical Skills Centre
• Features specialist rooms in the center, including radiotherapy dosimetry planning, virtual environment radiotherapy training (VERT) treatment room, and clinical skills training rooms

Careers:

• Prepares graduates to become Therapeutic Radiographers, a profession making a real difference for people with cancer
• Upon graduation, graduates are professionally recognized by the Society and College of Radiographers and eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to practice in the UK
• Graduates have strong career prospects, with the majority finding employment in the NHS or private hospitals within 15 months of finishing the course
• The average annual salary for a newly qualified radiographer is around £27,000
• Many graduates work in leading hospitals in London, throughout the UK, or internationally

Other:

• This program has been designed to meet the requirements of the College of Radiographers (CoR) and is in the process of obtaining approval (a decision is expected by June 2023)
• Can be applied for through UCAS with a £27.50 application fee
• Application deadlines are between September 2023 and 31 January 2024
• Additional information about the application process can be found on the School of Health & Psychological Sciences Admissions team's website
• Program features opportunities for students interested in research to participate in research exercises
• Encourages students to develop their skills within a state-of-the-art facility mirroring professional clinical practice

Tuition fees for year 2024/25 Home/UK £9,250 International £20,700 The tuition fees indicated are for the 2024/25 academic year only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase in the region of 5%.