Program Overview

Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences

Overview

Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) is an interdisciplinary field with its roots in psychology, physiology, physics, music, linguistics, and education. The program integrates these diverse influences through faculty scholarship, research, student education and clinical services. An SLHS major provides students with opportunities for study in the areas of speech-language pathology, audiology, and the normal aspects of speech, hearing, and language. The coursework is designed to foster development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills and enhances students' ability to evaluate scientific information. Students have opportunities to participate in experiential activities such as research labs and clinical observation in on-site clinics. Our undergraduate degree provides an excellent foundation for a broad range of career paths, including communication sciences, health care, and education. Students are also well prepared to pursue advanced degrees, such as Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, Doctor of Audiology, or Doctor of Philosophy.

Learning Outcomes

• Adopt an interdisciplinary perspective in evaluating human communication across the lifespan
• Understand the influence of culture and linguistic background on human communication, speech, language, swallowing, and hearing
• Learn how to use a wide range of techniques to better understand human communication, speech, language, swallowing, and hearing in people with and without communication disorders
• Use critical thinking to explore, analyze and interpret the human communication interactions

Program Details

Sample Courses

• SLHS 261: Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism
• SLHS 340: Language Science
• SLHS 477: Communication Disorders

Career Fields

• Speech-language pathology
• Research
• Healthcare
• Special education
• Higher education
• Nonprofit
• Education
• Public relations
• Audiology

Level of Math

• Moderate Knowledge
• The M-strand is for students who require mathematical facility at the level of at least MATH 112 (College Algebra Concepts) or 108 (Modeling with Algebraic and Trigonometric Functions). This strand involves reasonable facility with algebra and algebraic functions, graphs, and simple modeling. Students who choose the M-strand are prepared for further mathematical work. This work may include MATH 107 (Exploring and Understanding Data), MATH 113 (Elements of Calculus), MATH 116 (Calculus Concepts for Business), MATH 119A (Mathematics of Biological Systems: A Calculus Based Approach), or a statistics class from outside the Mathematics Department, such as ISTA 116 (Statistical Foundations for the Information Age) or SBS 200 (Statistics for the Social Sciences).

Level of Second Language

• 2nd Semester Proficiency
• Second-semester skill level in a second language is required. Non-B.A. degree students may fulfill this requirement with one of the following options: 1. Scoring the equivalent of second-semester skill level on an entrance or placement examination administered by The University of Arizona. 2. Completion with a C or better of a second semester course at the post-secondary level. 3. An AP (Advanced Placement), IB (International Baccalaureate) or CLEP (College Level Entrance Program) language score determined by the individual language department. 4. In the College of Engineering by a method determined within the College; however, all students in the college must also take a language placement examination on entrance to the University.

Pre-major Required?

• No

This Major's College

• College of Science

Degree

• Bachelor of Science

Sample Plans

2025, Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences

• 4-Year Sample Plan
• Map Transfer Coursework
• Plan Ahead with a Transfer Pathway

First Year

• 1st Semester
  • SLHS 207 - Survey of Human Communication and Its Disorder (3)
  • Math 112 (or math you test into) (3)
  • ENGL 101 - First-year Composition (1st semester) (3)
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3)
  • SCI 197A - Student Success Strategies (1)
  • Introduction to the General Education Experience (Entry Course) (1)
• 2nd Semester
  • ENGL 102: First-year Composition (2nd semester) (3)
  • MATH 113 - Elements of Calculus (3)
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3)
  • SLHS 255 - Hearing, Health and Society (3)
  • Science - Physical Science or Biological Science (4)

Second Year

• 3rd Semester
  • SLHS 261 - Anatomy & Physiology of the Speech Mechanism (4)
  • SLHS 340 - Language Science (3)
  • Statistics (3)
  • Second Language (4)
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3)
  • SLHS Social Science (3)
• 4th Semester
  • SLHS 267 - Acoustics (3)
  • SLHS 367 - Phonetics for Clinical Practice (3)
  • Second Language (4)
  • Science - Physical Science or Biological Science (4)
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3)
  • Optional: Minor/Elective/Research/Independent Study/Preceptorship (3)

Third Year

• 5th Semester
  • SLHS 362 - Neurobiology of Communication (3)
  • SLHS 380 - Hearing Science (4)
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3)
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3)
  • Optional: Minor/Elective/Research/Independent Study/Preceptorship (3)
• 6th Semester
  • SLHS 441 - Language Acquisition (3)
  • SLHS 483R/L (4)
  • Optional: Minor/Elective/Research/Independent Study/Preceptorship (3)
  • Optional: Minor/Elective/Research/Independent Study/Preceptorship (3)

Fourth Year

• 7th Semester
  • SLHS 477 - Communication Disorder I (3)
  • Optional: Minor/Elective/Research/Independent Study/Preceptorship (3)
  • Optional: Minor/Elective/Research/Independent Study/Preceptorship (3)
  • SLHS Elective (Speak to Advisor) (3)
• 8th Semester
  • SLHS 473 - Communication Disorder II (3)
  • SLHS Elective (Speak to Advisor) (3)
  • Optional: Minor/Elective/Research/Independent Study/Preceptorship (3)
  • Optional: Minor/Elective/Research/Independent Study/Preceptorship (3)