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Location: 115 Speech-Hearing and Deafness Center, Phone: (409) 880-8338

Chair: William E. Harn
Chair E-mail: william.harn@lamar.edu 

The Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences (SPHS) supports instruction, research and service, and the primary mission areas of Â鶹ÊÓƵ through the degree programs offered. The department offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders for students interested in pursuing work in the fields of audiology and speech-language pathology. The undergraduate major is a multi-disciplinary pre-professional program that provides a foundation for a graduate specialization, state license, and/or national certification within the professional fields of audiology and speech-language pathology. The graduate programs of study are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Completion of the master’s degree is mandated by Texas law for professional employment in speech-language pathology. The degree for professional practice is now the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) (See the Graduate Catalog for requirements).
A new student initiating study at Â鶹ÊÓƵ must meet all admission requirements of the university (See Admissions for Undergraduates or Graduates as applicable). Transfer students or students who wish to enter the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences programs by change of major must meet admission requirements or have a minimum grade point average of 2.50 or better. Grades of “D” are not acceptable as course completion for required classes in departmental majors, nor are they acceptable as course completion for classes to be used as professional electives by student majors within the department. 

Programs of Study

All majors in the department must complete the basic Philosophy of Knowledge Core Curriculum requirements of Â鶹ÊÓƵ as their academic foundation course work. Faculty advisors will provide direction to the student concerning departmental requirements within the Core Curriculum when course choices are available to meet the university’s Core Curriculum requirements. The Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences requires all transfer, freshmen-level, and senior-level students to see a faculty advisor within the department. Further, this department strongly encourages all students to seek academic advisement from the faculty for efficient matriculation through the undergraduate program. Advisors may be seen during the university posted time for each semester or by appointment. Required courses are listed with more information about each.

Degrees Offered

Undergraduate

• Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders – 123 hours

Graduate

• Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
• Doctor of Audiology

Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders

Total Min. Hours: 123

The bachelor’s degree program in Communication Disorders, which prepares students for graduate specialization in Audiology, Deaf Education or Speech-Language Pathology, requires each student to complete a REQUIRED departmental core and advanced classes for the student’s specific career interests for a total of 42 hours.

The degree of Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders will be awarded upon completion of the following requirements:

1. General Requirements: 48 hours
   Philosophy of Knowledge Core Curriculum
2. Major Core Requirements: 42 hours
   SPHS 1371, 1372, 1375, 2371, 2372, 2373, 2374, 3301, 3302, 3304*,
   4301, 4304, 4327
3. Electives: 27 hours
   Complete 27 hours of professional electives. Professional electives may include (a) courses outside of the major that
   are relevant to speech and hearing sciences and (b) any SPHS course not otherwise specified in the degree plan.
   Professional electives must be approved by an advisor.
4. Foundation electives: six hours
   COSC 1371, PSYC 230

Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology

Â鶹ÊÓƵ programs in audiology and in speech-language pathology hold national certification by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech, Language, Hearing Association (ASHA). Students completing a master’s degree in speech-language pathology typically meet the national certification standards of ASHA as well as requirements for state license. Speech-language pathology graduates who meet ASHA and state certification standards are also considered eligible for employment as speech-language pathologists in public schools. Depending on the student’s undergraduate program of study, the typical 36-semester-hour master’s degree may need to be expanded to accommodate ASHA certification and state licensing requirements. Speech-language pathology students must complete a minimum of 375 hours of supervised clinical practicum, part of which may be accumulated at the undergraduate level.

Graduates may apply to ASHA for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in speech-language pathology. This national certification requires the completion of specified course work and clinical practice. Students seeking ASHA certification should obtain a copy of ASHA regulations from a faculty advisor early in their training program.

ASHA standards mandate the passing of national qualifying board examinations for prospective speech-language pathologists. Master’s students typically take these examinations during their final semester.

Doctor of Audiology

Admission

1. A formula established by the Graduate Council. The formula is calculated based on (GPA x 200) + Verbal GRE + Quantitative GRE score. The formula score must be greater than or equal to 1350;
2. relevance of the undergraduate training; and
3. letters of support.

Applicants for admission to the doctoral program in Audiology are ranked for admission based on the following criteria:

1. must have a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders or equivalent coursework,
2. must meet a formula established by the Graduate Council as detailed above,
3. must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in communication disorder coursework,
4. must submit letters of recommendation, and
5. must submit an essay which discusses interest in Audiology and professional goals.