Return to: Ohio University College of Health and Human Services

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 hearing science and speech-language science. 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.

A major in Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences (HSLS) at Ohio University ensures a well-rounded undergraduate education. It develops both the scientific and humanistic aspects of students with a strong emphasis on communication abilities, scholarship, professionalism, service, and multicultural engagement. The curriculum integrates a sequence 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.

The school offers the resources of a major university program, including diverse academic and clinical faculty, ample state-of-the-art clinical, research, and educational facilities, and a rich array of courses. At the same time, the school provides individual attention to students when they are in need of help with assignments, graduate school preparation, or career consideration. The program encourages students to think clearly and objectively, preparing them to solve problems as professionals through effective interpersonal and research skills. Advisors are school faculty who guide students regularly in curriculum and career planning.

Many students choose the HSLS major because they enjoy the intellectual stimulation and intrigue of integrating studies across a vast array of disciplines and academic interest areas. Some select the major because they enjoy its balance of art and science. Most are attracted to a sense of service and contribution to people with disabilities and communication problems in general.

Career possibilities are excellent for students who go on to complete a graduate degree in the field. Minimum requirements for clinical practice are a master’s degree for speech-language pathology, and a clinical doctorate for audiology. Professional contexts for clinicians include public and private schools, early enrichment programs, hospitals, rehabilitation agencies, private practice, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, retirement centers, and universities. Clinicians work with people of all ages, from newborns to the elderly. Audiologists address a wide range of issues related to hearing and auditory processing, and are involved in helping people adapt to hearing problems through hearing aids, cochlear implants, and a vast array of other technologies as well as social, educational and work-related strategies. Speech-language pathologists diagnose and treat a vast array of problems, including difficulty with speech articulation, foundational language skills that support literacy, swallowing, and voice. They address diverse problems, from stuttering to developmental language and speech delays to intelligibility problems due to accents. They also work as team members in helping individuals with such life-affecting conditions as mental retardation, stroke, brain injury, cancer, diabetes, dementia, and HIV/AIDS.

A unique feature of the HSLS undergraduate program is a sequence of pre-professional practice courses designed to give each student a sound understanding and orientation to the discipline. Undergraduate students gain observation and service experience in the new on-campus state-or-the-art Ohio University Therapy Associates Hearing, Speech, Language, and Physical Therapy Clinic, as well as other educational and clinical sites in Athens and the surrounding region.

Mentored research experiences are available for interested students. Additionally, the HSLS Honors Tutorial Program is available to highly qualified students. For further information visit the Honors Tutorial College website. Certificate programs in gerontology and teaching English as a second language, and minors in psychology, linguistics, communication studies, business, social sciences, physics, biological sciences and foreign languages are options that broaden perspectives and support diverse career choices.

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

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