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Twin Cities Campus

Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences B.A.

Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences
College of Liberal Arts
  • Program Type: Baccalaureate
  • Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2020
  • Required credits to graduate with this degree: 120
  • Required credits within the major: 36 to 37
  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts
The bachelor of arts (BA) program in speech-language-hearing sciences (SLHS) represents an internationally recognized comprehensive science-based degree program that offers students a broad liberal arts education in an interdisciplinary field of study. Major coursework provides a background in human communication including the physical, biological, and socio-behavioral processes that empower or disrupt the production and understanding of speech and language. These complex processes are ones that are often taken for granted, but a disorder of one of these processes caused by disease, a problem at birth, or aging can have a profound effect on a person’s life. The field of speech-language-hearing sciences defines normal and disordered communication and provides the research foundation for diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders. The SLHS curriculum blends science, language and communication, and aims to provide exceptional academic preparation and opportunities for students who are interested in physical and biological sciences and enjoy learning about linguistic, psychological, and neurophysiological theories and methods for diagnosing and treating voice, speech, language and hearing disorders. This foundational knowledge helps students reach careers such as speech-language pathologist, audiologist, psychologist, therapist, counselor, vocal coach, researcher, instructor, manager or director in related fields. Program requirements for the SLHS major fulfill a number of the University’s Liberal Education (LE) requirements. Major students also have multiple options to meet the LE requirement by taking courses in related fields, such as psychology, education, humanities and social sciences.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the Office of Admissions website.
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the liberal education requirements. Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
Students are required to complete 4 semester(s) of any second language. with a grade of C-, or better, or S, or demonstrate proficiency in the language(s) as defined by the department or college.
All CLA BA degrees require 18 upper-division (3xxx-level or higher) credits outside the major designator. These credits must be taken in designators different from the major designator and cannot include courses that are cross-listed with the major designator. The major designator for the Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences BA is SLHS. Majors are advised to select additional courses beyond those needed to satisfy the liberal education requirements in the behavioral, biological, cognitive, physical, and social sciences. At least 18 upper-division credits in the major must be taken at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. Students may earn a BA or a minor in speech-language-hearing sciences, but not both. All incoming CLA freshmen must complete the First-Year Experience course sequence.
Foundation Course
Take exactly 1 course(s) totaling 3 - 4 credit(s) from the following:
· SLHS 1301W - Physics and Biology of the Voice [PHYS, WI] (4.0 cr)
or SLHS 1301V - Physics and Biology of the Voice Honors [PHYS, WI] (4.0 cr)
· SLHS 1402 - The Talking Brain [SOCS] (3.0 cr)
Communication Differences and Disorders
Take exactly 1 course(s) totaling exactly 3 credit(s) from the following:
· SLHS 1401 - Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology [SOCS] (3.0 cr)
· SLHS 3401 - Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology [SOCS] (3.0 cr)
Upper-Division Required Courses
Take exactly 9 course(s) totaling exactly 27 credit(s) from the following:
· SLHS 3302 - Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanisms (3.0 cr)
· SLHS 3303 - Language Acquisition and Science (3.0 cr)
· SLHS 3304 - Phonetics (3.0 cr)
· SLHS 3305W - Speech Science [WI] (3.0 cr)
· SLHS 3306 - The Sense of Hearing (3.0 cr)
· SLHS 4301 - Introduction to the Neuroscience of Human Communication (3.0 cr)
· SLHS 4402 - Clinical Methods in Speech-Language Pathology (3.0 cr)
· SLHS 4801 - Clinical methods in assessing auditory function and disorders (3.0 cr)
· SLHS 4802 - Clinical Methods for Treating Hearing Disorders (3.0 cr)
Capstone
The capstone has significant writing components: a) the structured writing of a research project on a topic within or across disciplines related to speech, language, and hearing sciences and disorders; and b) the completion of a service learning experience with significant community involvement and reflective writing.
Students who double major within CLA and choose to complete the capstone requirement in their other major may waive the Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences BA capstone, and they do not need to replace the 3 credits. This means that students who take their capstone in another major can complete the Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences BA with 33 credits.
Take exactly 1 course(s) totaling exactly 3 credit(s) from the following:
· SLHS 3402W - Capstone Project in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences [WI] (3.0 cr)
· SLHS 3402V - Capstone Project in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences Honors [WI] (3.0 cr)
Upper Division Writing Intensive within the major
Students are required to take one upper division writing intensive course within the major. If that requirement has not been satisfied within the core major requirements, students must choose one course from the following list. Some of these courses may also fulfill other major requirements.
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
· SLHS 3305W - Speech Science [WI] (3.0 cr)
· SLHS 3402W - Capstone Project in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences [WI] (3.0 cr)
or SLHS 3402V - Capstone Project in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences Honors [WI] (3.0 cr)
 
More program views..
View college catalog(s):
· College of Liberal Arts

View future requirement(s):
· Fall 2022
· Spring 2021

View sample plan(s):
· Declaring SLHS major in Year 2
· Declaring SLHS major in Year 3

View checkpoint chart:
· Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences B.A.
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SLHS 1301W - Physics and Biology of the Voice (PHYS, WI)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: SLHS 1301W/SLHS 1301V
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
The goal of this course is to provide students with a background of the core physical, linguistic, and perceptual concepts related to speech. This course talks about the acoustics of speech as well as the main principles that are used to describe articulation and phonetics. We will examine the aerodynamic and acoustic principles that underlie sound production. The course also covers basics of auditory perception and how computers can be used to analyze and manipulate speech. Through an emphasis on physical analysis grounded in scientific principles, this course satisfies the university's physical sciences with laboratory liberal education requirement.
SLHS 1301V - Physics and Biology of the Voice Honors (PHYS, WI)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: SLHS 1301W/SLHS 1301V
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
The goal of this course is to provide students with a background of the core physical, linguistic, and perceptual concepts related to speech. This course talks about the acoustics of speech as well as the main principles that are used to describe articulation and phonetics. We will examine the aerodynamic and acoustic principles that underlie sound production. The course also covers basics of auditory perception and how computers can be used to analyze and manipulate speech. Through an emphasis on physical analysis grounded in scientific principles, this course satisfies the university's physical sciences with laboratory liberal education requirement.
SLHS 1402 - The Talking Brain (SOCS)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
How the brain produces/understands speech/language, including various aspects of the nervous system involved in producing/understanding speech/language. Differences in brain structure/function among individuals with and without brain injury, based on scientific versus historical, mass media and literature portrayals.
SLHS 1401 - Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology (SOCS)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: SLHS 1401/SLHS 3401
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
In this course students will be provided an introduction to the diverse field of speech-language pathology and audiology. Case studies, documentaries, and patient testimonials will be used to orient students to the clinical significance of impairments that contribute to deficits in cognition, communication, and deglutition. Students will gain an understanding of associated assessments and interventions to mitigate these deficits from experts practicing in the field. Lastly, students will be introduced to career paths in speech language pathology and audiology, as well as their associated practice setting and remuneration specifications.
SLHS 3401 - Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology (SOCS)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: SLHS 1401/SLHS 3401
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
In this course, students will be provided an introduction to the diverse field of speech-language pathology and audiology. Case studies, documentaries, and patient testimonials will be used to orient students to the clinical significance of impairments that contribute to deficits in cognition, communication, and deglutition. Students will gain an understanding of associated assessments and interventions to mitigate these deficits from experts practicing in the field. Lastly, students will be introduced to career paths in speech language pathology and audiology, as well as their associated practice setting and remuneration specifications.
SLHS 3302 - Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanisms
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Survey of anatomy and physiology of the auditory and speech production systems, including the nervous, respiratory, laryngeal, velopharyngeal and orofacial subsystems. Emphasis on normal processes and functions.
SLHS 3303 - Language Acquisition and Science
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Survey of typical language development, major theoretical perspectives about development, and analyses of children's language.
SLHS 3304 - Phonetics
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
What is a click sound? Why is it that people who learned to speak English in New York City are more likely to produce the words Mary, merry, and marry differently than people who learned English in Minneapolis? Why does the name 'Beto' produced by a native speaker of English sound so much like the word 'pero' produced by a native speaker of Spanish? How is English-accented Japanese different from Japanese produced by a native speaker? How does one write the sounds of speech using the international phonetic alphabet? Phonetics is the science of speech production. In this course in phonetics, you will develop skills in phonetic transcription, and you will apply those new skills to understanding differences across languages, speech development, dialects, and individual speech styles. By the end of the course, you will be a skilled phonetic transcriber, and you will have used those skills to understand aspects of speech that can't be understood without a knowledge of phonetics. Your new knowledge of the sound structure of human languages will make you a more flexible listener when you encounter new languages, or new varieties of languages you already know. The skills in this course will be taught with a variety of in-person and on-line tools, including lectures, small group work, on-line self-paced modules, and interactive transcription practice.
SLHS 3305W - Speech Science (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Because speech is the acoustic representation of language, we will examine the time varying acoustic signal ?speech production - and the reception, separation and decoding of this signal into language? speech perception. For this class you will be presented with: (a) the basic principles of acoustics; (2) the physiology that produces the acoustic features that comprise speech; (3) basic theories of speech-motor control; (4) basic principles of speech perception; and (5) overview of current theories of speech perception, especially as they pertain to development of language in the first year of life.
SLHS 3306 - The Sense of Hearing
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Have you ever wondered how the sense of hearing works? This course will give you a deep look at the science behind the sense of hearing. You will learn about how sound is created, and transmitted from the air to our ears. Once sound enters our ears, it makes an impressive journey through many stations along the auditory pathway... all the way up to our brains. In addition to the physiological process of sound transmission through the auditory system, this course also covers psychoacoustics measures that provide non-invasive techniques and methods to evaluate the transmission of sound through the auditory system. prereq: [3302, 3305W] or instr consent
SLHS 4301 - Introduction to the Neuroscience of Human Communication
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Basic neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, especially as they relate to normal speech, language, and hearing processes.
SLHS 4402 - Clinical Methods in Speech-Language Pathology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course illustrates assessment and treatment methods in speech-language pathology. Students will gain a solid foundation for clinical practice with clients across the lifespan and across a range of communication impairments. The course is designed to prepare advanced undergraduate majors in SLHS and entry-level graduate students for entry into clinical settings in speech-language pathology. prereq: [1401 OR 3401, 3302, 3303, 3304, 4301 (either before registration for 4402 or concurrent registration is required (or allowed) in 4402)], or grad student, or instr consent
SLHS 4801 - Clinical methods in assessing auditory function and disorders
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Have you ever wondered why some people have normal hearing and others do not? This course will cover different methods (i.e. visual, behavioral, and physiological measures) that are used to assess auditory function in the outer, middle, inner ear, and beyond. Students will gain a solid introductory foundation on clinical methods that are used and how information gained from different assessment methods are combined to assess overall auditory function. In additional, students will also learn about genetic and non-genetic disorders that impact auditory function. prereq: [3302, 3305W] or instr consent
SLHS 4802 - Clinical Methods for Treating Hearing Disorders
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Ever wondered how hearing loss is treated? This course will present an introductory foundation on treatment options for individuals with different types of hearing loss. The three Ts of rehabilitating hearing loss are covered. The first T includes how diagnostic visual, behavioral, and physiological tests results are interpreted and used in the design of treatment plans for individuals with hearing loss. The second T will cover technology that is used to treat hearing loss. This section will provide details on how hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other implantable hearing devices work and how clinical decisions are made with regards to who gets a hearing aid vs. a cochlear implant. Hearing assistive technology and wireless devices such as FM, loop and infrared systems will all be covered. The third T will cover treatment options for adults and children with hearing loss. This section will provide details on informational and personal-adjustment counseling, non-technology treatment options, and person-centered and family-centered intervention and training plans for adults as well as children with hearing loss.
SLHS 3402W - Capstone Project in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: SLHS 3402W/SLHS 3402V
Grading Basis: S-N or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
This final year writing intensive course provides students foundational knowledge on evidence-based practice in the fields of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. The course has a research and a service learning module. The research module includes lectures and group activities designed to promote critical thinking in evaluating research evidence and will enable students to generate evidence maps to support clinical decision making. The service learning module requires students to complete 20 hours of volunteering with an organization of choice. Reflective writing and research writing activities are designed to enable students to make connections between classroom learning and field work. Students will participate in a final capstone presentation day involving group and individual presentations to showcase their work throughout the semester.
SLHS 3402V - Capstone Project in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences Honors (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 6.0]
Course Equivalencies: SLHS 3402W/SLHS 3402V
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
This final year writing intensive course provides students foundational knowledge on evidence-based practice in the fields of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. The course has a research and a service learning module. The research module includes lectures and group activities designed to promote critical thinking in evaluating research evidence and will enable students to generate evidence maps to support clinical decision making. The service learning module requires students to complete 20 hours of volunteering with an organization of choice. Reflective writing and research writing activities are designed to enable students to make connections between classroom learning and field work. Students will participate in a final capstone presentation day involving group and individual presentations to showcase their work throughout the semester.
SLHS 3305W - Speech Science (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Because speech is the acoustic representation of language, we will examine the time varying acoustic signal ?speech production - and the reception, separation and decoding of this signal into language? speech perception. For this class you will be presented with: (a) the basic principles of acoustics; (2) the physiology that produces the acoustic features that comprise speech; (3) basic theories of speech-motor control; (4) basic principles of speech perception; and (5) overview of current theories of speech perception, especially as they pertain to development of language in the first year of life.
SLHS 3402W - Capstone Project in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: SLHS 3402W/SLHS 3402V
Grading Basis: S-N or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
This final year writing intensive course provides students foundational knowledge on evidence-based practice in the fields of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. The course has a research and a service learning module. The research module includes lectures and group activities designed to promote critical thinking in evaluating research evidence and will enable students to generate evidence maps to support clinical decision making. The service learning module requires students to complete 20 hours of volunteering with an organization of choice. Reflective writing and research writing activities are designed to enable students to make connections between classroom learning and field work. Students will participate in a final capstone presentation day involving group and individual presentations to showcase their work throughout the semester.
SLHS 3402V - Capstone Project in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences Honors (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 6.0]
Course Equivalencies: SLHS 3402W/SLHS 3402V
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
This final year writing intensive course provides students foundational knowledge on evidence-based practice in the fields of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. The course has a research and a service learning module. The research module includes lectures and group activities designed to promote critical thinking in evaluating research evidence and will enable students to generate evidence maps to support clinical decision making. The service learning module requires students to complete 20 hours of volunteering with an organization of choice. Reflective writing and research writing activities are designed to enable students to make connections between classroom learning and field work. Students will participate in a final capstone presentation day involving group and individual presentations to showcase their work throughout the semester.