Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, B.S.

Studying speech, language and hearing sciences at Saint Louis University will prepare you for a career as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist. 

Speech-language pathologists help prevent, identify, assess and provide treatment for communication and swallowing disorders to improve outcomes and quality of life of the client and their families. These include language development, acquired language disorders, stuttering, and voice and articulation disorders. Disorders related to literacy also have become an area of focus for speech-language pathologists. Speech-language pathologists provide service to children and adults and work in various settings, including schools, hospitals, rehabilitation agencies, nursing homes, private practices and private clinics such as the Saint Louis University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic.

Audiologists help prevent, identify, assess and treat hearing disorders. Audiologists also evaluate hearing, prescribe and dispense hearing aids, program cochlear implants, assess balance, and provide intervention for auditory processing disorders to improve auditory skills, outcomes and quality of life for clients and their families. Audiologists are also involved in monitoring nerve function during surgery. Audiologists work in various settings, including physician offices, hospitals, rehabilitation agencies, nursing homes, private practices and schools.

If you choose to major in speech, language and hearing sciences at Saint Louis University, you will observe adults and children with various speech, language and auditory disorders during your undergraduate years. Following the completion of your required courses, you'll also have an opportunity to participate in an elective clinical practicum. Many students also choose to study abroad.

SLHS Undergraduate Handbook

Curriculum Overview

SLU’s speech, language and hearing sciences program requires 38 credits of speech, language and hearing sciences coursework along with the required credits of the core curriculum. It also requires 25 credits of clinical observation and completion of a capstone project.

Requirements for the degree include:

• 3.00 cumulative GPA
• 25 hours of clinical observation
• Capstone project
• A minimum of 120 credits (33 credits from the core curriculum in addition to 38 credits required for the major)

All students in the program experience guided observation of adults and children with various speech, language and hearing disorders. In addition, undergraduate students meeting all pre-requisites have the opportunity to participate in an elective clinical practicum, typically done in the second semester of their senior year.

Clinical and Research Opportunities

SLU undergraduate students in speech, language and hearing sciences are encouraged to participate in research activities, either faculty-guided independent research or as a research assistant. Such activities provide learning experiences outside the classroom and serve to focus interest in the discipline. In addition to enriching the undergraduate curriculum, engaging in research is a valuable way to prepare for graduate studies.

Students will observe adults and children with a variety of speech, language and auditory disorders at SLU's Reinert Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic. Following the completion of required courses, students also have an opportunity to participate in an elective clinical practicum. 

The senior-year capstone course allows students to actively participate in speech, language and hearing sciences research.

Careers

Speech-language pathologists typically need a master’s degree to practice. Most speech-language pathologists work in schools or health care facilities.

A doctoral degree (either a Ph.D. or an Au.D.) is required for audiologists entering the profession. Most audiologists work in health care facilities.

An undergraduate degree in speech, language and hearing sciences can also act as preparation for other professional degrees such as medicine, special education or public health.

For those not wishing to pursue an additional degree, one can practice as a speech-language pathology assistant in many states with a B.A. in communication sciences and disorders. Furthermore, some graduates have jobs as research assistants or patient care advocates with a bachelor's degree alone.

Speech-language pathology and audiology professions offer excellent employment opportunities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for both professions is positive, with both projected to experience “much faster than average growth” in the next decade. In addition, Forbes ranked speech-language pathology as a top-25 job of 2019.

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists are employed in various settings such as schools, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation agencies and private clinics or practices.

Admission Requirements

Freshman Admission

All applicants are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all submitted credentials. Solid academic performance in college preparatory course work is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.

• High school diploma or acceptable score on the General Educational Development test (GED)
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale
• Saint Louis University has moved to a test-optional admission process for all undergraduate programs. Applicants may submit standardized test scores, but those who choose not to will not be disadvantaged in the admission process. 

Transfer Admission

Transfer applicants are encouraged to meet with the department to evaluate their transcript. A 2.50 cumulative GPA is required.

Pre-Select SLHS Admission Option

Saint Louis University's Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Pre-Select Program offers an exclusive opportunity for juniors to be guaranteed a position in the SLHS graduate program after graduation. The purpose of this option is to provide qualified SLU undergraduate students the opportunity to apply for early admission into the SLU SLHS master’s program during their junior year and be granted direct admission into the program, allowing students to bypass the CSDCAS online application and the GRE.

Criteria for  Current SLU Students:

• Minimum of 3.50 cumulative GPA and must maintain until graduation
• A grade of C or better in all SLHS major courses
• A personal statement letter
• Recommendations from two SLHS faculty

Students admitted will have the opportunity to take SLHS 4650/5100 (Counseling) or SLHS 4600/5880 (Advanced Audiology) at graduate-level credit in their senior year. 

Students who have transferred into SLU’s SLHS department are eligible to apply for the pre-select admission option after completing a minimum of two full-time semesters at Saint Louis University, in addition to meeting the other criteria listed above.

1. Attend the pre-select interest meeting in the spring to review the admission requirements and discuss the application process.
2. Complete the SLHS pre-select admission form during the spring semester of junior year, no later than April 15, for pre-admission the following year. Forms are available from the undergraduate program director.
3. Two recommendations using a standard recommendation form are required from SLU SLHS faculty who can attest to your academic and/or professional attributes and support your application for the pre-select program.
4. Letter of application with a personal statement including professional interests, goals, personal attributes, etc., that supports your candidacy for the SLHS pre-select program should be included.
5. A statement of intent will be included after you are sent a verification statement of your early admittance to the SLHS graduate program. This is submitted by March 30 of senior year.

Applicants will receive written notification of acceptance or rejection into the SLHS pre-select program no later than May 30 of junior year. Failure to complete academic and graduation requirements will compromise pre-select admissions.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit www.slu.edu/financial-aid.

Leveling Option

The leveling option is designed for students who wish to pursue a graduate degree in speech-language pathology or audiology and already have a baccalaureate degree in a different discipline. The curriculum (32 credits) of the leveling option is based on the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences undergraduate curriculum and is designed to provide the courses necessary to apply to a graduate program in one of these professions. 

Curriculum Plan

Accreditation

For more information about the SLU speech, language, and hearing sciences program's student outcomes data (completion rates, Praxis exam pass rates, and employment rates), CAA complaint policy and accreditation information, please see the student outcome data and accreditation information below.

View Student Outcome Data and Accreditation Information (PDF) 

Students in SLU's speech, language and hearing sciences undergraduate program take the following courses:

Standard

Continuation Standards

• All speech, language and hearing sciences courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher in order to count for the major (courses may only be taken twice).
• Students must maintain a 2.50 cumulative GPA as freshmen and sophomores, a 2.75 cumulative GPA as juniors, a 2.90 cumulative GPA as seniors and a 3.0 cumulative GPA is required to graduate.
• Students will be dismissed from the program if they are on probation for three semesters and do not meet the GPA requirements.

SLHS Scholars

Continuation Standards

• SLHS Scholars must maintain a 3.50 cumulative GPA through completion of the bachelor's degree and obtain a "B" or higher in all required SLHS Scholars courses.
• SLHS Scholars must enroll in CSDI 4600 or 4900 as an advanced course senior year and enroll in CSDI 4700 during the spring of their senior year.
• SLHS Scholars must obtain at least 15 clinical clock hours and 25 observation hours.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Standard

Program Notes

If you plan to take CSDI 4700, you must complete 25 observation hours by mid-December; otherwise, by mid-April as this is a graduation requirement.

Minimum credits for graduation is 120 (core credit hours = 33 hours)

SLHS Scholars

Program Notes

SLHS Scholars are required to take CSDI 4700. Minimum credits for graduation is 120 (CSD credits = 41). The minor is not required for graduation, although it is suggested.