School of Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences

M. Brooke Hallowell, Director

The school grants a B.S. in Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences, a M.A. in speech-language pathology, a clinical doctorate in audiology (Au.D.), and Ph.D. degrees in audiology and speech-language pathology. The M.A. in speech-language pathology and the Au.D. degree programs are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Our nationally recognized undergraduate pre-professional program seeks to ensure a well-rounded education, which develops both the scientific and humanistic aspects of an Ohio University graduate who will function in a global marketplace of arts and sciences coursework with courses designed to provide a sound understanding of normal human communication processes and an introduction to speech-language pathology and audiology. Certificate programs in gerontology and teaching English as a second language, and minors in psychology, linguistics, interpersonal communication, business, social sciences, physics, biological sciences, and Spanish are options available that broaden perspectives and support diverse career choices.

Students are provided the fundamentals necessary for graduate study. Graduate study is required for certification and employment as an audiologist or speech-language pathologist. A high percentage of undergraduate students complete the program in four years and many enter a graduate professional degree program in speech-language pathology or audiology. A variety of career options is available and there is a high demand that will continue well into the future for these services.

A unique feature of our undergraduate program is a sequence of practicum courses designed to give each student a sound understanding and orientation to the discipline. Here, undergraduate students gain observation experience in the new on-campus state-of-the-art Ohio University Hearing, Speech and Language and Physical Therapy Clinics, as well as other sites. They function as assistants to graduate students and may also be given direct responsibilities serving our clients in the on-campus clinic or in off-campus clinical or educational facilities under faculty supervision.

The School of Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences offers the resources of a major university -- including diversity of faculty and coursework -- yet provides individual attention to students when they are in need of help with assignments or professional guidance. The program encourages students to think clearly, and objectively, preparing them to solve problems as professionals through effective interpersonal and literacy skills. The coordinator of undergraduate education and school advisors are school faculty who guide students regularly in curriculum planning and career counseling. An honor's tutorial program in hearing, speech and language sciences is also available and allows exceptionally qualified students to interact with faculty in more depth through tutorials and learning experiences that are individually designed. For more information about this program, visit the following Web site: https://www.ouhtc.org .

Any undergraduate student desiring to declare a major in Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences should visit the College's Student Services Office (GROV W370). You are expected to seek advising during each pre-registration period.

Note: Most undergraduate courses offered through the School of Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences can be retaken one time (i.e., one initial registration and one retake). Variable credit courses usually cannot be retaken (i.e., with the possibility of the initial grade and credit hours no longer being figured in the accumulative grade point calculation) but can be repeated for credit to count toward your degree.

Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences

Major Requirements

Pre-Professional Foundation

HSLS 108           Intro to Communication Disorders     5

HSLS 240           Professional Orientation             3

HSLS 341           Pre-Professional Service I           2

HSLS 380           Basic Audiology                      5

HSLS 442           Pre-Professional Service II          3 Basic Human Communication SciencesHSLS 208           Phonetics                            5

HSLS 252           Speech Science                       4

HSLS 253           Hearing Science                      4

HSLS 310           Language Development                 4

HSLS 313           Anatomy & Neurology of Speech        4

HSLS 390           Intro to Research in HSLS            4

HSLS 410           Language Science                     4 Required Related CoursesCOMS 101           Fund. of Human Communication         4

COMS 103           Fund. of Public Speaking             4

PSY 101            General Psychology                   5

PSY 221            Statistics for Behav. Sci.           5

PHIL 101           Fund. of Philosophy                  4 orPHIL 120        Principles of Reasoning orPHIL 130        Intro to Ethics

PESS 227           First Aid:  Work Place Training      3 orPESS 228        CPR                                  1

PSY 275            Educational Psychology               4 Biological and Physical ScienceBIOL 101           Principles of Biology                5 orBIOS 103        Human Biology orBIOS 170        Intro to Zoology

PHYS 201           Intro to Physics                     5 orPSC 101L        Physical World orPSC 105L        Color, Light, and Sound Computer LiteracyCS 120             Computer Literacy                    4 Cultural DiversityHSLS 420           Multicultural Aspects in 
                   Comm. Sciences                       4

ANTH 101           Intro to Cultural Anthro.            5 orCOMS 410        Cross-Cultural Commun.               4 orLING 275        Intro to Lang. and Culture Foreign LanguageHSLS 379           Basic Manual Communication           4 orHSLS 385A       Sign Language I                      4
 
Two quarters of a spoken non-English language. Life SpanHCCF 160           Intro to Child Development           4 orPSY 273         Child and Adolescent Psychology

HSLS 300           Aging and Disorders of Comm.         4 orPSY 374         Psychology of Adulthood and Aging orSW 381          Counseling Older Adults LinguisticsLING 351           Fund. of Gen. Linguistics            5

LING 280           Language in America                  4 orPSY 307         Psycholinguistics orany LING course above 351 Special NeedsEDSP 271           Intro to Educ. of Exceptional
                   Children and Youth                   4 orPSY 332         Abnormal Psychology orPSY 376         Psych. Disorders of Childhood Additional Requirement for Teacher LicensureEDSP 374           Nature and Needs of Learners/
                   Mild-Moderate Educational Needs      5

Students wishing to pursue graduate studies in any clinical field may develop a good foundation though this minor. Even those without professional interests related to communication disorders per se may benefit from an improved appreciation of issues related to a host of vital human communication issues that affect their everyday lives.

To earn a minor in HSLS, a minimum of 28 hours of HSLS coursework must be completed. Students considering pursuit of graduate study in the HSLS master's programs (speech-language pathology or audiology) at Ohio University are encouraged to take those courses required for graduate study, marked with asterisks below.

 Required CourseHSLS 108           Intro to Comm. Disorders             5 Elective CoursesHSLS 208*          Phonetics                            5

HSLS 252*          Speech Science                       4

HSLS 253*          Hearing Science                      4

HSLS 300           Aging and Disorders
                   of Communication                     4

HSLS 310*          Language Development                 4

HSLS 313*          Anatomy and Neurology                4

HSLS 380*          Basic Audiology                      5

HSLS 385           Sign Language I                      4 orHSLS 378        Sign Language

HSLS 390           Intro to Research in HSLS            4

HSLS 410           Language Sciences                    4

HSLS 499           Independent Reading in Speech
                   Pathology, Audiology, and
                   Speech Sciences                    3-5

*Required for admission into professional graduate programs in the 
 areas of hearing, speech, and language sciences.