Program Overview

BA Speech Sciences

The speech sciences program is designed to prepare students for graduate work in speech-language pathology or audiology. In this program, students will study in-depth research methods, language structure, child development and language acquisition, anatomy and physiology, experimental psychology, and instrumental phonetics.

Program Options

The program offers the following options:

• Major
• Honours
• Minor

Program Overview

As a Speech Sciences student, students will have the opportunity to gain research experience and explore topics related to language structure and acquisition, as well as the anatomy and physiology that affects language. The lower-level courses in the program are intended to be diverse and flexible. If students are new to Speech Sciences, it is recommended to start with introductory linguistics courses: LING 100, 101, 209, and/or 222. These courses cover an introduction to language and linguistics and also more clinical topics in speech, language, and hearing sciences. Please note that LING 100 and 101 are not credited towards a Major, Honours, or Minor in Speech Sciences.

If students already know that they are interested in Speech Sciences, it is strongly recommended to jump straight into LING 200 and LING 201: Linguistic Theory and Analysis I and II. These courses have no prerequisites and can be taken in either order. They will provide students with a strong theoretical foundation and analytical practice to prepare them for upper-level courses. In the upper years, students will be able to look at more specialized topics to prepare for their capstone course and potential graduate studies.

Please note that while it is possible to combine a Major in Speech Sciences with a Minor in Linguistics, or vice versa, such a combination is subject to the general double counting restrictions, making it somewhat difficult to achieve. If students are interested in pursuing such an option, they should get in touch with the department advisors to work through their plan. Because of the issue of double-counting, it is not possible to combine an Honours or Major in Linguistics with an Honours or Major in Speech Sciences.

Program Outcomes

The program instills a passion for learning about language and speech sciences that students carry with them from their degree program to life beyond their university studies. Each student will have the opportunity to develop skills that facilitate being an engaged citizen who meets individual responsibilities, demonstrates ethical behavior, and respectfully participates in communities. This goal is supported by consistent efforts across all courses in Linguistics and Speech Sciences to relate content to life in the larger world. Students will be able to:

• Identify and work with sources of reliable information about linguistics and languages
• Articulate and evaluate how linguistics connects to the world at large across a range of current social, political, and educational issues
• Recognize the importance of utilizing their linguistic knowledge and education to improve the well-being of others
• Collaborate effectively on a project with colleagues from a range of diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds

Advising

Students can make informed and thoughtful decisions about their academic path with the help of the advising team.

Program Details

Students pursuing a degree in Speech Sciences should be aware that North American graduate programs in Speech Pathology and Audiology have varying prerequisites, and that a Bachelor of Arts with a Major / Honours / Minor in Speech Sciences from UBC will not necessarily qualify them for immediate admission to a graduate program. Students should investigate prospective graduate schools and consult the Linguistics Undergraduate Advisor early in their program. The School of Audiology and Speech Sciences has the required prerequisites for the two-year Master’s program at UBC.