Department of Speech & Hearing Sciences

Location: 115 Speech-Hearing and Deafness Center, 409.880.8338

Chair: William E. Harn

The Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences (SPHS) supports instruction, research and service, and the primary mission areas of Lamar University through the degree programs offered. The department offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders for students interested in pursuing work in the fields of audiology and speech-language pathology. The undergraduate major is a multidisciplinary pre-professional program that provides a foundation for a graduate specialization, state license, and/or national certification within the professional fields of audiology and speech-language pathology. The graduate programs of study are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) for the American SpeechLanguage-Hearing Association (ASHA). Completion of the master’s degree is mandated by Texas law for professional employment in speech-language pathology. The required degree for professional practice in audiology is now the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) (See the Graduate Catalog for requirements).

A new student initiating study at Lamar University must meet all admission requirements of the university (See Admissions for Undergraduates or Graduates as applicable). Transfer students or students who wish to enter the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences programs by change of major must meet admission requirements or have a minimum grade point average of 2.50 or better. Grades of “D” are not acceptable as course completion for required classes in departmental majors, nor are they acceptable as course completion for classes to be used as professional electives by student majors within the department.

Programs of Study

All majors in the department must complete the basic Philosophy of Knowledge Core Curriculum requirements of Lamar University as their academic foundation course work. Faculty advisors will provide direction to the student concerning departmental requirements within the Core Curriculum when course choices are available to meet the university’s Core Curriculum requirements. The Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences requires all transfer, freshmen-level, and senior-level students to see a faculty advisor within the department. Further, this department strongly encourages all students to seek academic advisement from the faculty for efficient matriculation through the undergraduate program. Advisors may be seen during the university posted time for each semester or by appointment. Required courses are listed with more information about each.

Degrees Offered

Speech and Hearing Sciences Degree Plans

Undergraduate: Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders -120 hrs



Graduate: Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, Doctor of Audiology

Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders

Total Min. Hours: 120

The bachelor’s degree program in Communication Disorders, which prepares students for graduate specialization in Audiology, Deaf Education or Speech-Language Pathology, requires each student to complete a REQUIRED departmental core and advanced classes for the student’s specific career interests for a total of 39 hours.
 The degree of Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders will be awarded upon completion of the following requirements:

General Requirements: 48 hours
 Philosophy of Knowledge Core Curriculum

Major Core Requirements: 39 hours
 SPHS 1371, 1372, 1375, 2371, 2372, 2373, 3301, 3302, 3304*,4301, 4304, 4327

Electives: 27 hours 
Complete 27 hours of professional electives. Professional electives may include (a) courses outside of the major that 
are relevant to speech and hearing sciences and (b) any SPHS course not otherwise specified in the degree plan. 
Professional electives must be approved by an advisor.

Foundation electives: six hours 
COSC 1371, PSYC 2315

Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology

Lamar University programs in audiology and in speech-language pathology hold national certification by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech, Language, Hearing Association (ASHA). Students completing a master’s degree in speech-language pathology typically meet the national certification standards of ASHA as well as requirements for state license. Speech-language pathology graduates who meet ASHA and state certification standards are also considered eligible for employment as speech-language pathologists in public schools. Depending on the student’s undergraduate program of study, the typical 36-semester-hour master’s degree may need to be expanded to accommodate ASHA certification and state licensing requirements. Speech-language pathology students must complete a minimum of 375 hours of supervised clinical practicum.
Graduates may apply to ASHA for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in speech-language pathology. This national certification requires the completion of specified course work and clinical practice. Students seeking ASHA certification should obtain a copy of ASHA regulations from a faculty advisor early in their training program.
ASHA standards mandate the passing of a national qualifying board examination for prospective speech-language pathologists. Master’s students typically take this examination during their final semester.

Doctor of Audiology

Beginning in 2007, the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree is the entry-level degree required to practice audiology. The degree currently requires a minimum of 88 didactic course credits and 66 academic credits of clinical practicum and externship. Students must complete a minimum of 2200 hours of supervised clinical practicum, the majority of these hours being obtained during a full-time externship. Students completing the doctoral degree typically meet the national certification standards of the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) as well as requirements for state license. Graduates may apply to ASHA for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Audiology. This national certification requires the completion of specified course content and clinical practice. ASHA standards mandate the passing of a national qualifying board examination for prospective practicing audiologists. Lamar University’s Au.D. program will require a minimum of four full years beyond a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders. Those students with an undergraduate degree in another discipline will be required to complete foundational undergraduate courses before applying for full admission into the Au.D. program. Typically, these leveling courses require a minimum of a fall-spring semester sequence, but may vary with the undergraduate background of the student. Lamar University’s Au.D. program requires a candidacy research project, comprehensive examinations, and a full-time externship. Our academic and clinical program is designed to prepare audiologists for the full breadth of the Audiology Scope of Practice, including medical, rehabilitative, educational and private practice settings.

Students in the Au.D. program should refer to their doctoral handbook for additional information regarding specific department policies and procedures for the doctoral degree.

Admission

Applicants for admission to master’s degree program in speech-language pathology are considered for admission based on the following evidence:

• GRE scores
• Undergraduate GPA
• relevance of undergraduate training;
• letters of support.
• must have a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders or equivalent coursework,
• must meet a formula established by the Graduate Council as detailed above,
• must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in communication disorder coursework,
• must submit letters of recommendation, and
• must submit an essay which discusses interest in Audiology and professional goals.

Applicants for admission to the doctoral program in Audiology are considered for admission based on the following criteria:

1. must have a bachelor's degree in communication disorders or equivalent coursework,
2. must meet a formula established by the Graduate Council as detailed above,
3. must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in communication disorder coursework,
4. must submit letters of recommendation, and
5. must submit an essay which discusses interest in Audiology and professional goals.