The bachelor’s degree in speech, language and hearing sciences was designed to prepare you for graduate programs in audiology and speech-language pathology. But beyond grad school, this program’s foundation in communication sciences will give you a knowledge base rooted in basic science and communication diversity that can open up possibilities in a number of different career fields, including direct employment as an audiology assistant/technician.
Commitment to diversity
Our commitment to cultural-linguistic diversity and anti-racism is demonstrated through our holistic admissions process, our faculty research interests, and our emphasis on exposing students to a diverse range of communication modalities including American Sign-Language.
Clinical education
Charles Van Riper was a pioneer in early speech, language and hearing sciences. He founded the program here at Western Michigan University in 1966 and served as a mentor to numerous individuals who stutter.
Today, our on-site Language, Speech & Hearing Clinic provides unique opportunities for interprofessional practice, person-centered care, and applied research related to audiology and speech-language pathology.
Typical course sequence
Further information about the undergraduate curriculum appears in the University undergraduate catalog.
Honors program
If you are a member of the Lee Honors College or if you meet academic requirements listed below, you can join the honors program for undergraduate majors in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. Contact our undergraduate advisor for more information or with questions about the requirements.
Academic requirements:
- Completion of a minimum of 40 semester hours
- A minimum university GPA of 3.5
Continuance policy
A student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 in the University to remain in the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences undergraduate program. If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.5, the student will be placed on Departmental Probation and will have one semester to raise the cumulative GPA to at least 2.5.
If after a semester of Departmental Probation, a student restores the cumulative GPA to at least 2.5, the student will continue to progress in the undergraduate major. If, after a semester of Departmental Probation, a student fails to achieve at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA, the student will be dismissed from the undergraduate program.