Program Overview

Introduction to the Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences Program

The Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences (SLHS) program at Western Washington University encompasses two disciplines: Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. These fields have developed from a concern for individuals 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, including courses in Language Development, Speech Acoustics, Hearing Science, and Anatomy and Physiology. The program also covers disorders such as Language Disorders, Phonological Disorders, and Hearing Disorders.

Why Consider a Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences Major?

Many individuals take language, speech, and hearing for granted, but these processes are complex and can be impaired by illness or injury at any age. One out of every six Americans has a communication disorder, and each can be helped 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. The program provides access to state-of-the-art equipment and analysis procedures, allowing students to study sound, speech, language, and hearing.

Student Resources

• Department advising is available from several faculty members, including Anna Diedesch, David Evans, Kelli Evans, Heather Moore, Kimberly Peters, Sterling Sheffield, Jennifer Thistle, and Elaine Xu.
• Current students should log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
• The Career Services Center can help connect majors to careers.

Sample Careers

• Speech-Language Pathologist
• Speech-Language Scientist
• Government/Industry Consultant
• Audiologist
• Hearing Scientist
• Clinic Administrator

How to Declare the Major

To declare a major in Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences, students must:

1. Have completed at least 75 credits.
2. Have successfully completed or be currently enrolled in SLHS 251.
3. Have achieved a GPA of 2.70 or higher, or a grade of at least B- (2.70) in each of the year 1 Fall courses in the SLHS course sequence.
4. Send a Major Declaration and Change form to the department.

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.

Requirements for the Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences Major

The major requires 57-59 credits, including:

• SLHS 251 - Introduction to Communication Disorders (3 credits)
• SLHS 352 - Anatomy and Physiology of Speech Mechanisms (5 credits)
• SLHS 353 - Speech Science (5 credits)
• SLHS 354 - Speech and Language Development in Children (4 credits)
• SLHS 356 - Phonetics and Phonology (4 credits)
• SLHS 361 - Developmental Language Disorders (5 credits)
• SLHS 371 - Hearing Science (3 credits)
• SLHS 372 - Anatomy, Physiology, and Disorders of the Ear (4 credits)
• SLHS 450 - Neuroanatomy for Speech Pathology and Audiology (4 credits)
• SLHS 457 - Clinical Processes (5 credits)
• SLHS 462 - Audiometric Testing (4 credits)
• SLHS 463 - Aural Rehabilitation (4 credits)
• LIBR 403 - Research Tutorial (1-4 credits)
• Two courses chosen from:
  • SLHS 440 - Augmentative and Alternative Communication for SLHS and Related Disciplines (3 credits)
  • SLHS 453 - Introduction to Speech Disorders (4 credits)
  • SLHS 470 - Acquired Disorders of Language and Cognition in Adults (4 credits)
  • SLHS 490 - Culturally Responsive Clinical Practices (3 credits)
• A required minor of at least 24 credits (students may substitute a second major in place of the required minor).

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement