school of health professions 2024 - 2025 Catalog

Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (SLHS)

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, caseworker). Graduates can also pursue advanced education in fields such as speech-language pathology, audiology, education, or healthcare administration.

Technical Standards

To successfully complete the undergraduate program in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, an individual must meet the following technical standards:

  1. 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.

  2. 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).

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. Motor Skills: Sustain the 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 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.  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

http://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/admissions/application.aspx
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

Admission to the program requires completion of a minimum of 63 semester hours from an accredited college and/or university. 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.

1. Texas Core Curriculum 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.

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

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 Science3
Statistics3


2. Any general elective courses (>21 semester 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 Audiology2
HPSH 3220      Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology2
HPSH 3323      Language Development3
HPSH 3422      Anatomy & Physiology4
HPSH 3427      Phonetics                                                                            4
IPHP 1001        Foundations for Interprofessional Collaborative PracticeNC

Total Hours = 15       

Spring Semester
Credit Hours
HPSH 3321      Speech Science3
HPSH 3322      Hearing Science3
HPSH 3324      Language Disorders3
HPSH 3326      Articulation & Phonological Disorders3
HPSH 3126      Articulation & Phonological Disorders (Lab)1
HPSH 3442      Clinical Audiology4

Total Hours = 17       

SECOND-YEAR
Fall Semester
Credit Hours
HPSH 3221        Clinical Methods2
HPSH 4280/90  Clinical Observation: SLP/Audiology2
HPSH 4320         Interpersonal Communication for Healthcare Professionals                                            3
HPSH 4426         Neural Bases of Communication, Hearing, and Swallowing4
HPSH 4310         Special Topics (pre-SLP)   3
or
HPSH 4346         Diagnostic Audiology (pre-AuD)                                                                      3                               
HPSH 4146         Diagnostic Audiology Lab (pre-AuD)
1
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
Total Hours = 14-15                            
   

Spring Semester
Credit Hours
HPSH 4215        Seminar in Health and Education Professions2
HPSH 4344        Clinical Practice in a Pluralistic Society3
HPSH 4410        Introduction to Aural Habilitation and Rehabilitation4
HPSH 4427        Assessment Procedures in Speech-Language Pathology4

Total Hours = 13          

SLHS CURRICULUM
                                   Total Hours = > 59


  • 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 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 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 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 Clinical Practice in a Pluralistic Society (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 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 4410 Introduction to Aural Habilitation and Rehabilitation (4:4:0,F)

    An introduction to theory and techniques related to aural habilitation and rehabilitation. Issues related to Deaf culture and the use of signs in a variety of settings (healthcare and education) will also be discussed.

  • 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.

  • 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.