Program Description
The Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Program provides students with an academic and clinical foundation to understand and improve the communication skills of people with developmental or acquired communication disorders. After completing this 2-year, upper-division undergraduate program, graduates can obtain a job in a variety of fields (e.g., speech-language pathology assistant, hearing aid dispenser, early intervention specialist, child care provider, activities director, case worker). Graduates can also pursue advanced education in fields such as speech-language pathology, audiology, education, or healthcare administration.
Essential Functions
To successfully complete the undergraduate program in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, an individual must meet the following technical standards:
- Observation: Observe patients’ activity and behavior accurately during assessment and treatment procedures. Accurately monitor, through both visual and auditory modalities, materials and equipment used for assessment and treatment of patients.
- Communication: Communicate professionally (orally and in writing) as required for course work and clinical practicum to ensure patient safety. Use technology to meet requirements of courses and clinical practicum (e.g., computer skills including but not limited to internet access, word processing and spreadsheet programs, learning management systems, and electronic health records).
- Cognition: Comprehend, integrate, and synthesize a large body of information in a short period of time. Read, comprehend, record, and interpret information accurately from diagnostic tests, equipment, and patient records to ensure patient safety. Accurately self-assess clinical skills and academic performance.
- Social Behavioral Skills: Demonstrate respect for individual, social, and cultural differences in fellow students, faculty, staff, patients, and patients’ families during clinical and academic interactions. Demonstrate flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in academic and clinical situations. Conduct oneself in an ethical and legal manner, demonstrating honesty, integrity, and professionalism in all interactions and situations.
- Motor Skills: Sustain necessary physical activity level required for classroom and clinical activities during the defined workday. Efficiently manipulate testing and treatment environment, materials, and equipment. Access transportation to attend academic courses.
Admission to the SLHS Program
The BS SLHS program begins in August of each year, and the application deadline is March 1 of each year for the following fall class. Admission decisions are made by May 1. Class enrollment is limited. Students are required to adhere to all policies as outlined by the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, the School of Health Professions, and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Students also have specific rights as outlined in the student handbook.
Application Process
Minimum admission requirements include:
- Completion of the online application
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 on a 4.0 scale
- Minimum 2.50 prerequisite GPA
- Proof of appropriate immunizations against infectious diseases
Prerequisite Course Requirements
Prerequisite courses for the undergraduate program include the following, or their approved equivalents. These courses may be completed at any accredited college or university. The department reserves the right to change course requirements without notice.
Texas Common Core Requirements (42 minimum hours)
Information on the Texas Common Core curriculum can be found at https://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/admissions/texas-common-core.aspx.
Note: For the Natural Sciences requirement, our department requires one Life Science course (animal biology, human anatomy and physiology, or genetics) and one Physical Science course (physics or chemistry).
For the Core Component/Area Option courses, our department requires 6 additional credit hours in the Social & Behavioral Science/Individual or Group Behavior category.
Additional Prerequisite Courses (21 minimum hours) | Semester Hours |
| Technical Writing | 3 |
| Statistics | 3 |
| Social & Behavioral Science Elective | 3 |
| Multicultural | 3 |
| General Electives | Variable hours |
| Min. Total = 63 hours |
SLHS Curriculum
The following are the departmental course requirements. Academic policies regarding minimum grade performance are cited in the Student Handbook.
Sample Undergraduate Program
FIRST YEAR |
Fall Semester | Credit Hours |
| HPSH 3219 Introduction to Audiology | 2 |
| HPSH 3220 Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology | 2 |
| HPSH 3323 Language Development | 3 |
| HPSH 3422 Anatomy & Physiology | 4 |
| HPSH 3427 Phonetics | 4 |
| Total Hours = 15 |
Spring Semester | Credit Hours |
| HPSH 3321 Speech Science | 3 |
| HPSH 3322 Hearing Science | 3 |
| HPSH 3324 Language Disorders | 3 |
| HPSH 3326 Phonetics/Articulation & Phonological Disorders | 3 |
| HPSH 3126 Phonetics/Articulation & Phonological Disorders (Lab) | 1 |
| HPSH 3442 Clinical Audiology | 4 |
| Total Hours = 17 |
SECOND YEAR |
Fall Semester | Credit Hours |
| HPSH 3221 Clinical Methods | 2 |
| HPSH 4280/90 Clinical Observation: SLP/Audiology | 2 |
| HPSH 4320 Interpersonal Communication for Healthcare Professionals | 3 |
| HPSH 4426 Neural Bases of Speech & Language Disorders | 4 |
| HPSH 4310 Special Topics (pre-SLP) | 3 |
| or |
|
| HPSH 4446 Diagnostic Audiology (pre-AuD) | 4 |
| | Total Hours = 14-15 | |
Spring Semester | Credit Hours |
| HPSH 4280/90 Clinical Observation: SLP/Audiology | 2 |
| HPSH 4344 Multicultural Issues | 3 |
| HPSH 4410 Basic Sign Language for the Health Professions | 4 |
| HPSH 4427 Assessment Procedures in Speech-Language Pathology | 4 |
| Total Hours = 13 |
SLHS CURRICULUM | Total Hours = > 59 |
|
-
HPSH
3126
Phonetics/Articulation and Phonological Disorders Lab
(1:0:1,F)
Lab for practice of advanced clinical transcription skills.
-
HPSH
3219
Introduction to Audiology
(2:2:0,F)
A supervised observation of various audiometric procedures and patient types. Discussion of clinical protocols, assessment, and management for individuals with hearing disorders.
-
HPSH
3220
Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology
(2:2:0,F)
A supervised observation of clinical assessment and management of individuals with speech and language disorders.
-
HPSH
3221
Clinical Methods
(2:2:0,F)
A review of clinical methodologies used in speech-language pathology and audiology, including specific clinical activities, report writing, and professional development.
-
HPSH
3321
Speech Science
(3:3:0,F)
An introduction to the production, perception, and processing of speech, including acoustic phonetics.
-
HPSH
3322
Hearing Science
(3:3:0,F)
An introduction to the physics of sound, acoustics, and psychoacoustics.
-
HPSH
3323
Language Development
(3:3:0,F)
An introduction to current theories of language and language development, including methods of obtaining and analyzing language samples.
-
HPSH
3324
Language Disorders
(3:3:0,F)
An emphasis on language disorders across the lifespan. Topics include the nature and etiologies of language disorders, with an overview of the principles of treatment
-
HPSH
3326
Phonetics/Articulation and Phonological Disorders
(3:3:0,F)
The basic principles of assessment and treatment for children and adults with phonological and articulatory disorders.
-
HPSH
3422
Anatomy & Physiology
(4:3:1,F)
A study of the anatomical and physiological aspects of speech and hearing in both normal and clinical populations.
-
HPSH
3427
Phonetics
(4:3:1,F)
An introduction to production and classification of speech sounds; principles and theories of phonetics; emphasis on development of clinical transcription skills.
-
HPSH
3442
Clinical Audiology
(4:3:1,F)
An introduction to hearing assessment techniques and auditory disorders, with adaptation of testing for special populations such as infants, geriatrics, and different language backgrounds. The student will gain proficiency with pure-tone, speech, and impedance testing techniques.
-
HPSH
4010
Independent Study
(1-4:0:1-6,F)
A variable credit course used for individualized plans created by the program director. No textbook is required.
-
HPSH
4280
Clinical Observation: Speech Language Pathology
(2:1:1-30,F)
A supervised clinical assisting experience. May be repeated for credit.
-
HPSH
4290
Clinical Observation: Audiology
(2:1:1-3,F)
A supervised clinical assisting experience. May be repeated for credit.
-
HPSH
4300
Senior Research Project
(3:0:3-6,F)
An individual study of a specific problem in one of the areas of speech, language or hearing disorders. Students are required, in advance of registration, to consult with the instructor and secure approval of the specific project to be pursued.
-
HPSH
4310
Special Topics in Speech-Language Pathology
(3:3:0,F)
A discussion of current issues affecting the practice of speech-language pathology in varied work settings.
-
HPSH
4320
Interpersonal Communication for Health Care Professionals
(3:3:0,F)
Applies communication theory to real-life encounters with patients and their families during interviewing and counseling, assessment and treatment, and other day-to-day interactions with education and healthcare professionals.
-
HPSH
4344
Multicultural Issues in Communication Disorders
(3:3:0,F)
Assessment and management of communication disorders in culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Topics include typical and disordered communication, and perspectives on clinical, theoretical, and research implications.
-
HPSH
4410
Basic Sign Language for the Health Professions
(4:4:0,F)
An intensive, introductory course in American Sign Language. Issues related to deaf culture and the use of signs in healthcare settings will be discussed.
-
HPSH
4426
Neural Bases of Speech, Language and Hearing
(4:4:0,F)
An exposure to neuroanatomy and neurophysiology through individualized and interactive learning. This course provides strong foundations for future graduate courses in neural aspects of communication including neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neuropathologies of speech and language.
-
HPSH
4427
Assessment Procedures in Speech-Language Pathology
(4:3:1,F)
The development of competencies in the selection, use, and interpretation of a wide range of speech and language assessment procedures for children and adults from diverse etiologic, cultural, and ethnic groups.
-
HPSH
4446
Diagnostic Audiology
(4:3:1,F)
This course will present advanced diagnostic techniques for children and adults including those from diverse populations or with special needs.
