The Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences (SPHS) supports instruction, research and service, and the primary mission areas of Lamar University through the degree programs offered. The department offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences for students interested in pursuing work in the fields of audiology and speech-language pathology (SLP). The undergraduate major is a multidisciplinary pre-professional program that provides a foundation for a graduate specialization, state license, and/or national certification within the professional fields of audiology and SLP.

The graduate programs of study are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Completion of the master’s degree is mandated by Texas law for professional employment in SLP. The required degree for professional practice in audiology is now the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.). A new student initiating graduate study at Lamar University must meet all admission requirements of the university (applying at both  ApplyTexas and CSDCAS). Transfer students or students who wish to enter the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences programs by change of major must meet admission requirements or have a minimum grade point average of 2.50 or better. Grades of “D” are not acceptable as course completion for required classes in departmental majors, nor are they acceptable as course completion for classes to be used as professional electives by student majors within the department.

Programs of Study

All majors in the department must complete the basic General Education Core Curriculum requirements of Lamar University as their academic foundation course work. Faculty advisors will provide direction to the student concerning departmental requirements within the Core Curriculum when course choices are available to meet the university’s Core Curriculum requirements. The Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences requires all transfer, junior- and senior-level students to see a faculty advisor within the department. Further, this department strongly encourages all students to seek academic advisement from the faculty for efficient matriculation through the undergraduate program. Advisors may be seen during the university posted time for each semester or by appointment. Required courses are listed with more information about each.

Admission

Applicants for admission to the master’s degree program in SLP are considered for admission based on the following evidence:

• GRE scores
• Undergraduate GPA
• relevance of undergraduate training
• letters of support

Applicants also must:

1. have a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders or equivalent course work,
2. have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in communication disorder course work,
3. submit letters of recommendation, 
4. submit an essay that discusses the applicant's interest in SLP and professional goals, and
5. apply to both ApplyTexas and CSDCAS.

Applicants for admission to the doctoral program in audiology (Au.D.) are considered for admission based on the following criteria. The applicant must:

1. have a bachelor's degree in communication disorders or equivalent course work,
2. have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in communication disorder course work,
3. submit letters of recommendation,
4. submit an essay that discusses interest in audiology and professional goals, and
5. apply to both ApplyTexas and CSDCAS.

Programs