Speech Pathology and Audiology, BS

Chairperson: Emily Patterson, Au.D., CCC-A
Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology website

The Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology at Marquette University offers a bachelor of science degree in speech pathology and audiology and a master of science degree in speech-language pathology. The undergraduate program is considered pre-professional, meaning that a graduate degree is necessary before a person is qualified for professional employment.

The primary purpose of the undergraduate program is to provide introductory level knowledge in the field of Speech Pathology and Audiology, within the context of a traditional liberal Arts and Sciences education, which prepares an individual for study in a professional graduate degree program. This liberal education is based on the philosophy that the individual with an educational foundation in the Arts and Sciences has a broad appreciation for society and its values. Such a traditional undergraduate emphasis provides the needed foundation for the more narrowly focused professional education at the graduate level and is suitable for careers in other communication, education and health-related professions besides speech-language pathology and audiology.

The undergraduate major in speech pathology and audiology includes courses in the areas of normal speech production and development, disorders of speech, language and hearing and methods of evaluation and therapy. Clinical practicum involves actual work with children and adults having speech/language/hearing problems under the direct supervision of certified speech-language pathologists and audiologists. This work is accomplished at the Marquette University Speech and Hearing Clinic. Professional preparation occurs at the graduate level and is a prerequisite for certification/licensure as a professional speech-language pathologist or audiologist.

Degree Offered

The undergraduate curriculum in Speech Pathology and Audiology is a four-year program leading to a bachelor of science degree.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology are expected to fulfill the admission requirements listed in the university section of this bulletin. Admission into the undergraduate major in speech pathology and audiology qualifies students for the bachelor of science program; it does not extend to the graduate (master’s degree) level. Separate application to the graduate school must be made, usually during students' senior year.

Students may enter the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology as a freshman, or may transfer into the program from another university division or another institution later in their academic program. Marquette students interested in transferring to the major are required to have a minimum 3.000 GPA and are accepted on a competitive basis for the fall term only. Transfer applicants should understand that admission into most graduate programs is very competitive and requires a minimum GPA of 3.000 to apply, and higher to be competitive.

Since admission requirements for master’s degree programs may vary from one university to another, applicants are responsible for meeting those requirements of the institution they desire to enter.

Professional Standards

All papers produced by students in all classes under department jurisdiction are expected to conform to professional standards of lucidity, coherence, grammar, spelling and punctuation. All oral presentations produced by students in all classes under department jurisdiction are expected to conform to professional standards of lucidity, coherence and grammar. All instructors in all classes under department jurisdiction consider the factors listed above, as well as substance, in grading written and oral presentations.

Undergraduate CLINICAL Practicum in Speech Pathology and Audiology

Students majoring in Speech Pathology and Audiology may complete up to 50 clock hours of direct work with individuals with speech/language/hearing problems. This practicum experience is closely supervised by university personnel who hold the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. This practicum typically begins second term of the junior year and is generally completed in two terms.

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN SPECIALIZED FACILITIES

The Marquette University Speech and Hearing Clinic serves as a working laboratory for students in the speech pathology and audiology program to gain clinical practicum experience. The clinic has individual therapy rooms for adults and children, three diagnostic suites, a hearing testing suite and rooms designed for specialized speech/language therapy: developmental treatment room, adult language room, augmentative/alternate communication room and sensory integration room. Speech pathology and audiology research laboratories include communication, movement and learning lab; child language and literacy lab; speech and swallowing lab; neurodevelopmental feeding and swallowing lab; and neurogenic communication lab.