Speech Pathology and Audiology

Ann Tyler, Chair
Main Office: 4476 CHHS (Oakland Campus)
Telephone: (269) 387-8045
Fax: (269) 387-8044

Jennifer Dehaan, Office Coordinator
4476 CHHS (Oakland Campus)

Jan Bedrosian
Cary Cekola
Teresa Crumpton
Heidi Douglas-Vogley
Gregory Flamme
Sandra Glista
James M. Hillenbrand
Kathryn Hillenbrand
Yvette Hyter
Bharti Katbamna
Gary D. Lawson
Nickola W. Nelson
Mary Peterson
Helen Sharp
Stephen Tasko

Communication is the most complex aspect of human behavior. Impairments in the processes of communication - speech, language, and hearing - can significantly affect the lives of children and adults across the age span. Speech-language pathology and audiology are the areas of professional specialization that have developed out of concern for persons with disorders of communication.

The mission of the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology is to educate speech, language, and hearing professionals for a diverse and changing population, to advance knowledge through research, to deliver quality clinical services, and to serve as a resource for the community and professions. It is the vision of the department to continue recognition as a national leader for advancing knowledge in human hearing and communication processes and disorders through education, research, and service.

The undergraduate program is pre-professional in nature and is designed to prepare students for graduate professional education in speech-language pathology, audiology, or speech sciences. Because the bachelor’s degree does not qualify the recipient for professional employment, students must plan for enrollment in a graduate degree program upon graduation. Admission to a graduate program typically requires a grade point average of 3.5 (“B”) or higher in the undergraduate major as well as in undergraduate course work (cumulative GPA). Completion of the undergraduate major in speech pathology and audiology does not guarantee a student’s admission into WMU’s or any other university’s graduate program. Information about this department’s graduate degree program can be found in the WMU Graduate Catalog.

Honors in Speech Pathology and Audiology

An honors program for undergraduate majors in speech pathology and audiology was established in 1983. Undergraduate majors who meet the academic requirements for the department’s honors program or are members of the Lee Honors College are eligible to join the program, which includes successful completion of an honors Paper/thesis/alternative project prior to graduation. The academic requirements include 1) completions of a minimum of 40 semester hours, and 2) a minimum GPA of 3.5. Further information and specific requirements of the honors program are available through the departmental honors advisor.

Speech Pathology and Audiology Curriculum

Admission

Students who desire to major in speech pathology and audiology will declare a major in pre-speech pathology and audiology at the time of admission to the University. This status, however, does not assure admission to the departmental major as admission is competitive, based upon GPA. In February of the sophomore year students must submit an application for the speech pathology and audiology major (SPNJ). Selection of students into the major occurs after review of all applicants by a department undergraduate admissions committee. Admission is granted those applicants with the highest GPA’s in the courses required for application.

Further information regarding the requirements and procedures for admission to the departmental major may be obtained by contacting the department directly, reviewing the department website, or by meeting with a college advisor.

Transfer Students

It is recommended that transfer students enroll at Western at the beginning of the first semester of the sophomore year. Those who enroll at a later stage may find that an additional period of study will be required to complete the undergraduate curriculum.