Speech Pathology and Audiology

Ann Tyler, Chair
Jan Bedrosian
Teresa Crumpton
Gregory Flamme
Sandra Glista
John M. Hanley
James M. Hillenbrand
Kathryn Hillenbrand
Yvette Hyter
Bharti Katbamna
Gary D. Lawson
Nickola W. Nelson
Mary Peterson-Combs
Helen Sharp
Stephen Tasko
Adelia VanMeter
Heidi Vogley

Communication is the most complex aspect of human behavior. Impairments in the process of communication - speech, language, and hearing - leave myriad problems in their wake. Speech pathology and audiology is the area of professional specialization that has developed out of concern for persons with disorders of communication.

The basic educational mission of the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology is to prepare professional personnel who will be maximally effective in the delivery of diagnostic, habilitative, rehabilitative, and preventive services to individuals handicapped by speech, language, and hearing impairments.

The undergraduate program is preprofessional in nature and is designed to prepare students for graduate professional education in speech and language pathology or audiology. Because the bachelor’s degree does not qualify the recipient for employment, students must plan for enrollment in a graduate degree program in order to complete their professional preparation. Admission to a graduate program typically requires a grade point average of “B” or higher in the undergraduate major as well as in undergraduate course work (overall GPA). Completion of the undergraduate major in speech pathology and audiology does not guarantee a student’s admission into WMU’s or any other school’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 students in speech pathology and audiology was established in 1983. Students who meet the basic academic requirements for the department’s honors program will be invited to join the program, which includes successful completion of an approved graduate-level course and an honors thesis prior to graduation. Honors in Speech Pathology and Audiology will be conferred at the time of the student’s graduation. Further information and specific requirements of the honors program are available through the departmental advisor.

Speech Pathology and Audiology Curriculum

Admission

Students who desire to major in speech pathology and audiology will be admitted into the Pre-Speech Pathology and Audiology curriculum at the time of admission to the University. This status, however, does not assure admission to the departmental major. The selection of students to be admitted to a speech pathology and audiology major occurs after review of all applicants by a departmental faculty committee.

Further information regarding requirements and procedures for admission to the departmental major may be obtained by contacting the department directly.

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.