Program Description
The Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences is a post-baccalaureate program for students who have previously completed a 4-year Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. The program provides students with an academic and clinical foundation to understand and improve the communication skills of people with developmental or acquired communication disorders. Students will enroll in full-time coursework at the TTUHSC Lubbock campus and will physically attend class and participate in clinic. After successfully completing this three-semester program, graduates will be equipped to obtain employment in a variety of fields (e.g., hearing aid dispenser, early intervention specialist, child care provider, activities director, case worker) or to work as a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLP-A) in the state of Texas. Graduates can also pursue advanced education in fields such as speech-language pathology, audiology, education, or healthcare administration.
Technical Standards
To successfully complete the post-baccalaureate 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 Second Degree SLHS Program
The Second Degree BS SLHS program begins in August of each year and consists of three semesters (fall, spring & summer). The SLHS programs begin in the fall semester each year. Please visit https://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/admissions/application.aspx SHP Application for deadline information. An application must be verified and all other requirements must be received by the deadline. Priority in application review and admission into the program will be given to those applicants who have verified and completed applications by April 1st. Applications completed between April 1st and July 1st will be reviewed in order of completion and only considered for admission if there is still availability in the cohort. 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
http://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/admissions/application.aspx
Minimum admission requirements include:
- Completion of the online application
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Proof of appropriate immunizations against infectious diseases
Prerequisite Course Requirements
The following courses are required by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and may be fulfilled as part of the Texas Core Curriculum requirements. Information on the Texas Core Curriculum can be found at https://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/admissions/texas-common-core.aspx.
Required Course | Semester Hours |
| Physical Science (physics or chemistry) | 3-4 |
| Biological/Life Science (biology of animals, human genetics, or human anatomy & physiology) | 3-4 |
| Social & Behavioral Science | 3 |
| Statistics | 3 |
| Total = 12-14 hours |
Graduates not from Texas Public Universities
A second bachelor’s degree sought by a student who did not graduate from a public Texas university must include the required Texas Core Curriculum. Information on the Texas Core Curriculum can be found at https://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/admissions/texas-common-core.aspx.
Program Requirements | Hours |
| Earned Bachelor's Degree | >120 hours |
| *Texas Common Core Requirement | 42 hours |
| *American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Requirements | 12-14 hours |
| SLHS Second Degree Program | 35 hours |
*These hours may be included as part of initial bachelor's degree OR may be additional courses. |
Second Degree Bachelor of Science in SLHS Curriculum
Fall Semester | Credit Hours |
| HPSH 3219 Introduction to Audiology | 2 |
| or |
|
| HPSH 3220 Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology | 2 |
| HPSH 3323 Language Development | 3 |
| HPSH 3422 Anatomy & Physiology | 4 |
| HPSH 3427 Phonetics | 4 |
| HPSH 4426 Neural Bases of Communication, Hearing, and Swallowing | 4 |
| IPHP 1001 Foundations for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice | NC |
| Total Hours = 17 |
Spring Semester | Credit Hours | |
| HPSH 3321 Speech Science | 3 |
| or |
|
| 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 |
| HPSH 4215/90 Seminar in Health and Education Professions | 2 |
| Total Hours = 16 |
Summer Semester | Credit Hours |
| HPSH 4380 Clinical Experience: Speech-Language | 3 |
| Total Hours = 3 |
Second Degree SLHS CURRICULUM | | Total Hours = 35 |
-
HPSH
1001
Foundations of Inprofessional Collaborative Practice
(0:0:0,O)
An introduction to broad concepts related to interprofessional core competencies for healthcare providers.
-
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,O)
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,O)
A supervised observation of clinical assessment and management of individuals with speech and language disorders.
-
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
4017
Undergraduate Research Experience
(1-4:0:1-4,F)
An opportunity to obtain first-hand experience with research in speech, language, and/or hearing sciences. May be repeated for credit.
-
HPSH
4146
Diagnostic Audiology Lab
(1:0:1,F)
This lab will introduce students to audiological equipment and demonstrate techniques for performing diagnostic audiological procedures. The lab will also address proper report-writing related to case history, description and interpretation of test results, and recommendations.
-
HPSH
4215
Seminar in Health and Education Professions
(2:2:0,F)
An insight into the roles and responsibilities of a variety of healthcare and education disciplines for possible future careers and preparation for pursuits and/or collaborations with these professions.
-
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
4346
Diagnostic Audiology
(3:3:0,F)
This course will present advanced diagnostic techniques for children and adults including those from diverse populations or with special needs.
-
HPSH
4380
Clinical Experience: Speech Language Pathology
(3:2:1-30,F)
This course is a supervised clinical assisting experience. It is designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice through hands-on experience.
-
HPSH
4426
Neural Bases of Communication, Hearing, and Swallowing
(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 and swallowing including neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neuropathologies of speech, language, hearing, and swallowing.
