Undergraduate programs

Undergraduates in the Speech and Hearing Sciences Department explore human communication, which includes development, diversity, and complexity of communication, as well as developmental and acquired disorders. The program leads to a B.S. or B.A. in Speech and Hearing Sciences, or a certificate with baccalaureate in Communications Sciences and Disorders (CSD).  

The coursework explores foundational knowledge in speech and hearing sciences, clinically-based knowledge related to communication, cognition, swallowing and hearing disorders, and the complexity and diversity of human communication. In addition to providing a rigorous liberal arts education, this degree provides a foundation for many career paths, including graduate work in speech-language pathology, audiology, and/or speech, language, and/or hearing research. Because communication is central to most human activities, a degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences can also lead to a career in many other fields, including Education, Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, and Community Relations. Coursework or a degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences complements degrees in other programs, such as education, linguistics, psychology, public health administration, social work, music, and allied health professions. The CSD Certificate provides a strong educational foundation for entry into graduate programs in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, fulfills all but one requirement for entry into PSU’s graduate program in SPHR, and provides the required educational component for licensing of Speech-Language Pathology Assistants in Oregon and other states.

Degree Maps and Learning Outcomes

Admission requirements

Speech and Hearing Sciences B.S./B.A.

Communication Sciences Disorders Undergraduate Certificate

Communication Sciences & Disorders Undergraduate Certificate

A candidate for a certificate must satisfy all University requirements for a baccalaureate degree with an academic major in any field.  A CSD Certificate may be pursued as a post-baccalaureate program.  A student pursuing a certificate in CSD must complete 49 credits, distributed as follows:

Foundational Core Courses

SpHr 370Phonetics and Acoustics

4

SpHr 371Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Swallowing

4

SpHr 372USpeech and Language Development in Children

4

SpHr 461Neurology of Speech and Hearing

4

SpHr 487Hearing Sciences

4

Total Credit Hours:20

Clinical Core Courses

SpHr 463Language Disorders in Children

4

SpHr 394Guided Observation

1

SpHr 464Speech Disorders in Children

4

SpHr 488Clinical Audiology

4

SpHr 489Aural Rehabilitation

4

SpHr 495Neurogenic Communication Disorders

4

SpHr 496Introduction to Clinical Management

4

Total Credit Hours:25

Elective Course (choose 4 credits)

In addition to taking the above required courses, certificate students are required to take one course that explores diverse human experiences. To fulfill this requirement students can choose to take any 300- or 400-level class in the following subjects: Black Studies; Chicano/Latino Studies; Indigenous Nations Studies; and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, or any of the following classes:

SpHr 480Introduction to Sociocultural Aspects of Interactions

4

SpHr 485Bilingualism and Communication Disorders

4

SpHr 473Perspectives on Disability

4

SpHr 410Selected advisor-approved course that explores diverse human experiences

4

Anth 318UAsian American Experience

4

Anth 426Transnationalism and Migration

4

Anth 432Gender, Sex, and Sexuality in Anthropological Perspective

4

Comm 337UCommunication and Gender

4

Comm 415Problems of Intercultural Communication

4

CR 312Intercultural Conflict Resolution

4

Psy 310UPsychology of Women

4

Psy 431UPsychology of Men and Masculinities

4

Psy 458Development & Education of African-Diaspora Children & Youth

4

Psy 463Development and Education of Immigrant Children and Youth

4

Soc 337UPrejudice, Privilege, and Power

4

Soc 344UGender and Sexualities

4

Soc 423Stratification

4

Soc 427Gender and Work

4

Soc 430Hate Crimes

4

Soc 444Race, Ethnicity, and Nationality

4

Soc 446Immigrants in America

4

Soc 452Education and Equality: Comparing the US, Asia, Europe

4

Soc 463Global Inequalities and Health

4

Total Credit Hours:4
The above list is not comprehensive; students can also select a course not included here with advisor approval.

Total Credit Hours: 49

Students need to earn a C- or higher in all courses to earn the certificate. Students cannot take courses for the certificate pass/fail, with the exception of SpHr 394 Guided Observation. Students preparing for graduate programs in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology should know that a stand-alone Statistics course is a prerequisite requirement, as well as the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) requirements of a biological science course, a chemistry or physics course, and a social science course.