School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences

Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (BS)

The Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology program offers study in the processes and disorders of speech, language, and hearing. The program provides the foundation for graduate study leading to career opportunities and clinical certification as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist. Students are advised that admission to graduate programs in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology are presently highly competitive. Only students with strong academic records should select this major.

The curriculum in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology focuses on the development of communicative abilities; the anatomical and physiological mechanisms underlying speech, language, and hearing; the causes of communication disorders in children and adults; and theories and techniques of assessment and treatment of communication disorders.

Students majoring in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology are strongly encouraged to select electives in Psychology to complement coursework in their major field. Suggested electives in the major include SPAU 3305 Language and Literacy Development, SPAU 3342 or PSY 3342 Exceptional Children, SPAU 4342 Assessment Procedures in Speech-Language Pathology, SPAU 4366 Clinical Report Writing, SPAU 4386 Adult Development and Aging, and SPAU 4395 Issues in the Management of Persons with Hearing Impairment.

Students who plan to attend graduate school in speech-language pathology or audiology should be aware that clinical certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association requires that students complete at least one course in each of the following subject areas: Biological Sciences (e.g. biology, neuroscience), Physical Sciences (chemistry or physics is strongly recommended), Behavioral Sciences (e.g. psychology, sociology), and (statistics). Completion of this coursework prior to application to graduate school is strongly advised.

Students who wish to combine Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology with Psychology, Neuroscience, or Child Learning and Development should be able to meet requirements in both majors, and, with the approval of the Associate Dean, complete a double major. Students considering a double major should consult with their advisor regarding specific requirements. Students can complete Core Curriculum and Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology major requirements in a minimum of 78 semester credit hours, leaving 42 elective semester credit hours.

Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)¹

I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 semester credit hours²

Communication: 6 semester credit hours

COMM 1311 Survey of Oral and Technology-based Communication

RHET 1302 Rhetoric

Mathematics: 3 semester credit hours

Select 3 semester credit hours from Mathematics core courses (see Advisor for recommended course)

Life and Physical Sciences: 6 semester credit hours

Select 6 semester credit hours from Life and Physical Sciences core courses (Students planning to attend graduate school in speech-language pathology or audiology should take a minimum of one course in the biological sciences and one course in chemistry or physics.)

Language, Philosophy and Culture: 3 semester credit hours

One of the following:

HUMA 1301 Exploration of the Humanities

LIT 2331 Masterpieces of World Literature

PHIL 1301 Introduction to Philosophy

PHIL 2316 History of Philosophy I

PHIL 2317 History of Philosophy II

Creative Arts: 3 semester credit hours

One of the following:

AHST 1303 Survey of Western Art History: Ancient to Medieval

AHST 1304 Survey of Western Art History: Renaissance to Modern

AHST 2331 Understanding Art

ARTS 1301 Exploration of the Arts

DANC 1310 Understanding Dance

DRAM 1310 Understanding Theater

FILM 2332 Understanding Film

MUSI 1306 Understanding Music

American History: 6 semester credit hours

Two of the following:

HIST 1301 U.S. History Survey to Civil War

HIST 1302 U.S. History Survey from Civil War

HIST 2301 History of Texas

HIST 2330 Themes and Ideas in American History

HIST 2332 Civil War and Reconstruction

Government / Political Science: 6 semester credit hours

GOVT 2305 American National Government

GOVT 2306 State and Local Government

Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester credit hours

PSY 2301 Introduction to Psychology

Component Area Option: 6 semester credit hours

PSY 2317 Statistics for Psychology
or STAT 1342 Statistical Decision Making

AND

PSY 2314 Lifespan Development

II. Major Requirements: 36 semester credit hours

Major Preparatory Courses: 3 semester credit hours

PSY 2301 Introduction to Psychology³

Major Core Courses: 36 semester credit hours

SPAU 3301 Communication Disorders

SPAU 3303 Normal Language Development

SPAU 3304 Communication Sciences

SPAU 3340 Articulation Disorders

SPAU 3341 Audiology

SPAU 3343 Phonetics

SPAU 3344 Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing

SPAU 3345 Neural Basis of Communication
or NSC 3361 Behavioral Neuroscience

SPAU 3388 Clinical Observation in Speech-Language Pathology

SPAU 4308 Language Disorders in Children

SPAU 4394 Multicultural Aspects of Communication Disorders
or SPAU 4393 Language in Culture and Society

SPAU elective (3 hour course with SPAU prefix)

III. Elective Requirements: 42 semester credit hours

Free Electives: 42 semester credit hours

At least 42 semester credit hours of lower- or upper-division courses of the student's choice. Students are encouraged to explore areas of concentration in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology as well as explore interests outside the field. At least 51 semester credit hours of upper-division courses are required for graduation.

Fast Track Baccalaureate/Master's Degrees

UT Dallas undergraduate students with strong academic records who intend to pursue a master's degree in Communication Disorders at the university may consider an accelerated undergraduate-graduate plan of study. If accepted into the program, students may take up to 15 semester credit hours of graduate courses that may be used to complete the baccalaureate degree and also to satisfy requirements for the master's degree. Students must earn grades of B or better in graduate courses taken. Students must have completed at least 90 semester credit hours toward a baccalaureate degree before beginning Fast Track coursework. Students may apply for Fast Track admission up to one semester before they reach 90 semester credit hours. To qualify for admission, students must have completed at least 18 semester credit hours in major field core courses at UT Dallas. Application for admission to the Fast Track is through the graduate Communication Disorders program, not through Enrollment Services. GRE scores are required. For applications and instructions, please contact the Associate Dean's office.

1. Incoming freshmen must complete and pass UNIV 1010 Freshman Seminar and the corresponding school-related freshman seminar course. Students, including transfer students, who complete their core curriculum at UT Dallas must take UNIV 2020.

2. Curriculum Requirements can be fulfilled by other approved courses from institutions of higher education. The courses listed are recommended as the most efficient way to satisfy both Core Curriculum and Major Requirements at UT Dallas.

3. A required Preparatory course that also fulfills a Core Curriculum requirement. Three (3) semester credit hours are counted in Core Curriculum.