SPPA
Undergraduate Program
Bachelor of Science Degree. Completion of the undergraduate or bachelor of science degree in speech pathology and audiology prepares the student for the graduate-level education needed to work in the field. That is, a master's degree in speech pathology and audiology is the entry-level requirement for certification as a professional.
In the first year (freshman) of study, students focus primarily on the basic university educational requirements for the granting of a bachelor's degree. Examples of coursework that may be taken beginning at the start of the freshman year are:
- introductory-level courses in animal biology, mathematics, and physics
- linguistics and technical compositional writing
- basic psychology and at least one additional course such as abnormal psychology or personality
- courses fulfilling requirements for an elementary education minor (for students seeking Michigan teaching certification)
Students are encouraged to begin departmental coursework at the start of their sophmore year in order to complete the required sequence of courses within four years. Additional time may be required for those students who begin the program after the start of the second year. Once students are admitted to the undergraduate program, they will take introductory coursework in both speech-language and audiology. Courses relate to anatomy of physiology of the speech and hearing mechanism, hearing science, speech science, articulation hearing, language and fluency disorders, and aural rehabilitation. The capstone course, Special Studies in Speech-language Pathology, meets the university graduation requirements as a writing intensive course.
Videotaped as well as live observation experiences are part of the undergraduate required program. Opportunities are provided for supervised clinical practicum experiences at the undergraduate level at the Charles Van Riper Language Speech and Hearing Clinic. Observation of clinical activities precedes actual participation in clinical assignments. Early and frequent advising by the department undergraduate advisor is necessary because coursework, both inside and out of the department, is sequential, with many prerequisite requirements.
Further information about the undergraduate curriculum appears in the University Undergraduate Catalog.
Graduate Programs
In addition to its undergraduate program in Speech Pathology and Audiology, the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology offers two graduate degree programs: one leading to the Master of Arts Degree (emphasis in speech-language pathology) and and one leading to the Doctor of Audiology Degree (Au.D.). Both programs are fully accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and are designed to provide academic and practicum experiences basic to the development of clinical competence in the evaluation, diagnosis, and alleviation of language, speech, and hearing disorders. Those who wish to study speech-language pathology must apply for admission to the master's degree program. Those who wish to emphasize audiology must apply for admission to the Au.D. program. In either case, students are expected to complete the academic and practicum requirements for the ASHA's Certificate of Clinical Competence.
Sample Program in Speech-Language Pathology A sample program of study in speech-language pathology is outlined on the web page for the Master of Arts Degree (emphasis in speech-language pathology).
Sample Program in Audiology A sample program of study in audiology is outlined on the web page for the Doctor of Audiology Degree (Au.D.).