Speech and hearing sciences program

Freshman and sophomore course requirements (general education courses) must be completed at WSU Pullman or another college before enrolling in the speech and hearing sciences degree completion program at WSU Spokane. With the exception of the Tier III requirement, general education courses are not offered at WSU Spokane.

Students starting out at WSU Pullman who are interested in the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology must take SHS 205 (Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology) before moving to Spokane.

General requirements for the major:

• At least 45 of the total hours required for the bachelor’s degree in this program must be in 300/400-level courses.
• Successful completion of SHS 473 and 482 fulfills the university requirement of two writing-in-the-major [M] courses.
• Speech and hearing sciences majors are required to satisfactorily complete clinical apprenticeship (SHS 461) to fulfill degree requirements. Students must present evidence of good character and fitness to participate in clinic.

Sample courses in SHS

In the speech and hearing sciences program, you will take core courses like these:

Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Hearing and Hearing Disorders
Anatomy and Physiology of Speech Production
Neurogenic Communication Disorders
Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology in Schools
Aural Rehabilitation
Assessment of Speech and Language
American Sign Language I and II

This information is for example only. It doesn't include all requirements, and you'll have the opportunity to choose from more courses than we can show here.

Graduation requirements

See the WSU Catalog (WSU Pullman and WSU Spokane) for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.

If you are currently enrolled at the Pullman campus, contact the Health Professions Student Center for advising regarding pre-health science requirements.

Health Professions Student Center

Smith Center for Undergraduate Education (CUE), Room 502
509-335-4549

A variety of state, federal, and university-sponsored programs are available to help students with educational costs. Washington State University awards millions of dollars in financial aid and scholarships to students every year based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of the two.

Complete the Washington State University general scholarship application and the FAFSA to ensure your eligibility for the widest range of scholarships and need-based financial aid.

For information or to apply for financial aid and scholarships from WSU, see the Scholarships and Finances section of the WSU website.

• An interest in people and disability
• Desire to help other people
• Willingness to work with clients of all ages in a variety of settings

What WSU prepares you to do

The combined academic and clinical curriculum of WSU's speech and hearing sciences program prepares you for a fast-paced job market by giving you hands-on clinical practice and developing your skills in critical thinking and problem solving, oral and written communication, computer literacy, and research.

Graduate school and professional practice

This foundation prepares you to move on to graduate school and earn the master's degree required for professional practice in speech-language pathology or audiology.

Springboard to several fulfilling careers

A major in speech and hearing sciences also opens the way for various other careers in human services, counseling, rehabilitation, technical writing, technology support, medicine, law, and education.

Join a growing field

According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of speech-language pathologists and audiologists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2020.

Federal legislation mandates the increased presence of speech-language pathologists and audiologists in public schools. An increase in the number of older adults in our society with speech-language and hearing problems places a great demand on the services of speech-language pathologists and audiologists.