Speech Pathology and Audiology, B.S. Program (120 units)
Program Description
Speech pathology and audiology are clinical professions with a goal of screening, assessing and treating children and adults with disorders of speech, language, hearing, cognition and swallowing. Speech-language pathologists and audiologists have varied career interests and pursuits including working in healthcare, special education settings, in higher education, in public service, or private industry. Basic and applied research, codes of ethics, and a commitment to evidence-based and culturally competent practice form the backbone of these professions. These professions contribute to our understanding of typical and atypical communication, as well as the influence of culture on communication, and on strategies that enhance quality of life for persons affected by communication disorders and differences.
The majority of students select this degree program for professional training in speech pathology and/or audiology. Others select this major because it supports the development of a strong skill set in basic and applied science, professional conduct, and writing skills while engaging critical thinking, creativity, planning, and decision making. Coursework in the discipline draws from academic disciplines as biology, physics, psychology, statistics, linguistics, sociology, anthropology, medicine and law. The strength of the program is its rich, interdisciplinary nature that emphasizes a powerful combination of science with liberal arts, humanities, and the social sciences while providing clear depth in the major. Many of our undergraduate majors successfully pursue careers other than speech-language pathology, in fields of education, special education, health care administration, public health, social work, recreational therapy, applied behavior analysis, counseling, and case management.
Career Opportunities
Academic Coach/Tutor (for persons with disabilities) • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapist • Audiologists • Clinical Consultant • Research Assistant • School Audiometrist • Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) • Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) • Therapy Aide
Features
The department operates the Norma S. and Ray R. Rees Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic (named for Cal State East Bay President Emeritus Dr. Norma Rees), an on-campus facility that provides clinical services to persons seeking intervention for disorders and differences of speech, language, hearing, cognition, and swallowing. Undergraduate students enrolled in the program are able to observe, receive didactic and clinically relevant training, and do research in this fully-equipped facility. The program maintains a fully equipped speech and hearing sciences laboratory, an Augmentative and Alternative Communication laboratory, and an Early Social Communication Research Clinic for students who wish to pursue research interests. The award-winning Aphasia Treatment Program and the Conversation Club (for adults with autism) are special programs of our on-campus clinic.
The Bachelor of Science degree major in Speech Pathology provides students with a background in theoretical and clinical areas fundamental to the understanding and management of communicative disorders and differences, and serves as the pre-professional training necessary for admission to graduate studies in Speech-Language Pathology and/or Audiology.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a B.S. in Speech Pathology and Audiology from California State University East Bay will be able to:
- Demonstrate the foundational knowledge for entry-level professional training in speech-language pathology and audiology
- Integrate knowledge from natural, behavioral and social sciences with contemporary theory and practice in speech-language pathology and audiology
- Demonstrate quantitative and critical thinking skills to address complex problems in Speech Pathology and Audiology
- Describe typical and atypical communicative and cognitive development and behavior across the lifespan
- Articulate the importance of cultural competence, ethics and advocacy in serving a diverse population
- Communicate ideas, contemporary perspectives and professional values clearly and persuasively in speech and writing
- Demonstrate skills in working collaboratively with peers, professionals and community partners
Degree Requirements Unit-Outline
- A baccalaureate of arts degree requires a total of 120 units:
- The major requirements consists of 54 units
- General Education (GE) & Graduation Requirements (GR) consists of 57 units;
- Free Electives may consist of 9-18 units (actual number of free elective units may depend on how GE/GR major units might be double-counted).
Note: It may be possible to double-count units within the graduation requirements or that a course may satisfy both a graduation requirement and a major requirement. Students should contact their program and AACE advisors for information.
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