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.
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
Program Roadmaps
These program roadmaps represent recommended pathways through the program. Please see an advisor to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs.
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 and an Augmentative and Alternative Communication laboratory. The award-winning Aphasia Treatment Program and the Conversation Club (for adults with autism) are special programs of our on-campus clinic. More recently, the clinic has expanded community collaborative training opportunities, including a satellite clinic at a non-public school and an online early intervention parent-coaching program.
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.
Degree Requirements Unit-Outline
- A baccalaureate of science degree requires a total of 120 units:
- The major requirements consist of 60-62 units;
- General Education (GE) & Graduation Requirements (GR) consist of 52 units;
- Free Electives may consist of 6-8 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 advisors for information.
Speech Pathology and Audiology Major Requirements (60-62 units)
Core Coursework
All students must take the following courses:
Take 18-20 units of lower-division coursework:
Take the following required courses for 12 units:
- PSYC 100 - General Psychology Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-4
- SLHS 204 - Introduction to Communication Disorders Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-4
- SLHS 208 - Introduction to Language Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-4
- STAT 100 - Elements of Statistics and Probability Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-2
Take one of the following: BIOL 270 (recommended), or BIOL 100, or BIOL 101, or any BIOL course that meets the criteria for the ASHA Biological Sciences requirement, for a minimum of 3 units.
- BIOL 270 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: GE-5B, GE-5C
- BIOL 100 - Biology in the Real World Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: GE-5B, GE-5C
- BIOL 101 - Introduction to Biology Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-5B
Take one of the following courses below, or any other PHYS or CHEM course that meets the criteria for the ASHA Physical Sciences requirement, for a minimum of 3 units.
- CHEM 100 - Introduction to College Chemistry Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: GE-5A, GE-5C
- CHEM 161 - Basic Chemistry for the Health Sciences Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: GE-5A, GE-5C
- PHYS 109 - Exploring Physics in the Outdoors Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-5A ; Sustainability
- PHYS 115 - Elementary Physics Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-5A, GE-5C
- PHYS 125 - Principles of Physics I Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: GE-5A, GE-5C
Take 42 units of upper-division coursework:
- HDEV 380 - Lifespan Human Development Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-4
- SLHS 300 - Communicative and Cognitive Development Across the Lifespan Units: 3
- SLHS 301 - Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing Units: 3
- SLHS 302 - Phonetics and Phonological Disorders Units: 3
- SLHS 303 - Hearing and Speech Science Units: 3
- SLHS 305 - Observation of Communication Disorders-Lab Units: 1 (taken twice for a total of 2 units)
- SLHS 309 - Foundations of Success in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology I Units: 2
- SLHS 400 - Careers in Communication Disorders Units: 2
- SLHS 401 - Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology of Speech, Language and Hearing Units: 3
- SLHS 402 - Audiology and Audiological Assessment Units: 3
- SLHS 403 - Audiometry Lab Units: 1
- SLHS 404 - Child Language Disorders Units: 3
- SLHS 405 - Multicultural Issues in Communicative Sciences and Disorders Units: 3
- SLHS 406 - Adult Neurogenic Disorders Units: 3
- SLHS 407 - Clinical Methods and Diagnostics Units: 3
- SLHS 497 - Issues in Speech-Language Pathology Units: 2
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