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Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
Speech and language pathology, audiology, and education of the deaf are professions which identify, help, and study persons with communicative disorders. Those entering these professions should possess a strong motivation to help individuals with genetically, physically or psychologically-caused communication problems. Preparation involves acquiring the knowledge, competencies and skills necessary to assume responsibility for assessment, education, and rehabilitation of persons with speech, language and hearing disorders or for conducting cutting-edge research in speech, language and hearing sciences to advance the knowledge base of these fields.
The bachelor's degree serves as the basis for graduate and professional study in speech, language, and hearing sciences. In general, there are no clinical employment opportunities for holders of the bachelor's degree. A master's degree (speech-language pathology), Au.D. degree (clinical doctorate in audiology), national certification, and state licensure or school credential are needed for clinical professional practice. A Ph.D. is needed to serve as faculty at the university level.
Program Overview
The undergraduate curriculum involves coursework on normal and disordered speech, language and hearing, as well as clinical procedures. All Speech, Language and Hearing Science (SLHS) majors cover a set of general studies in early coursework before specialization.
Students interested in the Speech, Language and Hearing Science program are advised to take college-level courses in anatomy, biology, psychology, English, physiology, linguistics, physics, mathematics, and statistics. Some undergraduate research experience is also desirable. Studies leading to private practice, hospital work, industrial work, work in the public school settings, or preparation for the master's degree, Au.D., or Ph.D. are similar in many ways; it is the area of specialization that serves to differentiate courses of study.
Special Features
Facilities. The School of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences is housed in the Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences Building, which includes faculty offices; classrooms; and speech, language, hearing and American Sign Language research and instructional laboratories. In the laboratories, students use personal computers, diagnostic audiometers, evoked response instruments, the otoacoustic emissions instrument, a Fonix real ear analyzer, acoustic immittance equipment, hearing aid analyzers, digital spectrographs, Visipitch, phonic mirrors, ENG equipment, endoscopy, and speech acoustic analysis equipment, with ongoing new acquisitions.
The school operates a Communications Clinic (Speech-Language and Audiology clinics) in which diagnostic and habilitation services are provided to faculty, staff, students, and clients in the community. Students in the program benefit from supervised on campus practicum experiences at the Clinic, where speech, language, and hearing services are provided for the community.
Student Associations. The School sponsors student chapters of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA) and the National Association of Future Doctors of Audiology (NAFDA). These groups hold workshops, foster volunteerism, and work toward increasing student involvement in the professions at the local and national level.
Faculty Highlights
The Faculty of the School consists of individuals who are among the finest teachers and prolific scholars in the nation. We are proud of an exceptional record of external funding and a wealth of contribution to the scientific knowledge base of our professions through our research laboratories, the studies generated there, and the wide range of publications in scholarly journals each year that bring research results to the scientific world. We also boast an exceptional cadre of clinical supervisors and instructors across the three undergraduate concentrations (speech-language, audiology, ASL/Deaf Studies), as well as a solid and deeply felt commitment to the education of our students and service to the community. The faculty cares about the students and provides the best undergraduate educations to prepare individuals for acceptance into graduate programs throughout the nation.
SLHS faculty have broad clinical and research interests. Research projects presently under investigation include studies of child and adult language processing and disorders; evidence-based treatment of language disorders, hearing loss in children and adults; language development and disorders in bilingual individuals; speech perception and physiology; and what sign languages can reveal about the nature of human language, cognition and the brain.
Student Perspective
Student: Angela Van Dyke
Year Level: Junior
Emphasis: Speech-Language Pathology
“San Diego State’s communicative disorders program is well organized with enthusiastic, animated professors teaching extremely current material in the best city in the United States. The professors in the School of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences are so compelling in their teaching that they actually motivate you to stay in and study despite the sun shining year round.”
Alumni Perspective
Alum: Leslie Guthrie, M.A., AuD.
Title: Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist; Lecturer, SSLHS
Graduated: 2002, B.A. Speech-Language Pathology; 2007, Au.D.
“The Department of Communicative Disorders (now the School of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences) at SDSU provided me with such a great educational experience that I decided to finish not only my bachelor's degree but to complete my master's degree there as well! The clinical training I received as a graduate student prepared me to work with a wide range of communicative disorders that affect clients ranging in age from early childhood to late adulthood. As a recent graduate, I plan to continue participating in my former Department's activities, such as lectures and forums, so that I might continue to benefit from the wealth of knowledge that the faculty there possesses.”
Alum: Kim Pogorelsky, M.A., Education of the Deaf
Title: Teacher, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program, San Diego Unified School District Graduated: 2000 with emphasis in Education of the Deaf
“The Education of the Deaf program at SDSU provided me with extensive theoretical and practical training in preparation to become an effective classroom teacher. Theoretical course work that proved especially beneficial included diversified assessment approaches, pathways to literacy for students who are deaf, issues in bilingual education, and techniques for teaching students who have multiple disabilities. Numerous hands-on experiences were provided in order to put these theories into practice, and I had many opportunities to attend workshops, network with professionals in our field, and to pursue various employment opportunities.”
Alum: Derek J. Stiles, M.A.
Title: Pediatric Audiologist, Children's Hospital, San Diego
Graduated: 2000 with emphasis in Audiology
“I'm very pleased with my career in audiology. I enjoy the fact that I can be analytical in regards to prescribing amplification, while at the same time interacting socially with my patients. As a field, audiology has a lot of variety...more than I would have expected. I feel that if I were to get bored with a particular job, I could easily transition to a different position in audiology where I would find new challenges and learning opportunities. I learned a lot from my studies at San Diego State University. I had the opportunity to learn from a great faculty, as well as to teach an undergraduate lab. I also enjoyed the experience of working in a research lab during the second year of my graduate studies; plus, you just can't beat the weather in San Diego!”
Career Opportunities
The Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences major offers training towards careers in many public and private settings working with the speech, language, and hearing impaired, and as research faculty at the university level. Graduates with certification or licensure may work in rehabilitation centers, schools, hospitals, private agencies, private practice, and industry and, with the Ph.D., may conduct research and serve as faculty in university and research settings. Career opportunities are particularly good for speech-language pathology, especially for bilingual or bicultural persons.
To further explore career options in this field, visit the Career Services Web site for more information.
General Catalog
You can view more complete information regarding the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences program in the General Catalog. All students are responsible for reading and knowing the information pertinent to their areas of study available in the General Catalog. It contains requirements for all academic majors, course descriptions, policies, and regulations governing progress at the University. Catalogs are distributed at all Academic Orientation programs. To order a catalog, call (619) 594-7535.
Contact Information
Mailing address:
School of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
College of Health and Human Services
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-1518
Email: jpark@mail.sdsu.edu
Telephone: (619) 594-7746
Fax: (619) 594-7109
Office location: Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (SLH) Building
Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.