Speech Language Pathology & Audiology, BAT

Bachelor of Arts in Speech Language Pathology & Audiology (H70101BAT)

The School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology offers an undergraduate and graduate program of academic and clinical training in speech-language pathology and audiology. The undergraduate curriculum in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology focuses on the fundamental components of the discipline, including normal communication development and processes, understanding of speech and hearing sciences, and an introduction to evaluation and treatment of hearing, speech, language and communication differences and disorders. Completion of the undergraduate degree prepares students for entry into either graduate study in speech-language pathology or audiology. 

Contact Information

School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Polsky Building 181
(330) 972-6803
http://www.uakron.edu/sslpa/

Students are encouraged to contact:
Mrs. Jenna Day
Undergraduate Coordinator
School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
E-mail: jday@uakron.edu

Speech Language Pathologist

• Speech-language pathologists specialize in communication and swallowing disabilities of all types and work with people from infants through the elderly.
• Speech-language pathologists diagnose and treat individuals with speech or language, swallowing, fluency, deafness and hearing loss, voice, and cognitive-communication disabilities due to brain injury or stroke.
• Speech-language pathologists also prescribe assistive technology for speaking, reading, and writing.
• The undergraduate curriculum provides a broad background in normal speech, hearing, and language development, and an introduction to the specific communication disorders and their management.
• With an undergraduate degree, some students enter sales or case management in various health-related businesses.

Students must earn a Masters Degree to become a speech-language pathologist; the program takes two years to complete.

Graduate students take classes and participate in clinical preparation which includes a supervised clinic on campus as well as community-based externships in settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, rehabilitation facilities, clinics and private practice. The University of Akron also offers a Masters Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. For more information, go to https://www.uakron.edu/sslpa/gslpp/. 

Job Outlook

Upon obtaining certification from the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association and a license from the State of Ohio Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, jobs are available in many settings. Employment settings include hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, home health agencies, early intervention programs, schools, clinics and private practices. Speech-language pathology is listed among the fastest growing occupations by the United States Department of Labor. According to ZipRecruiter, the average starting salary for a Speech-Language Pathologist in the United States is $69,020. For more information, go to www.asha.org/public/speech. 

Audiologist

• Audiologists are hearing care specialists who evaluate and treat individuals with hearing and balance disorders.
• Audiologists are to hearing as Optometrists are to vision.
• Audiologists diagnose hearing and balance disorders in infants, children and adults, and provide treatment including fitting hearing aids, dispensing assistive listening devices, mapping cochlear implants, and providing audiologic rehabilitation for children and adults.
• Audiologists work in a variety of health care settings such as private practices, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, and physician’s offices.

To practice, Audiologists must earn a Doctor of Audiology degree.

The Doctor of Audiology degree is a 4 year post baccalaureate program that is offered through The University of Akron in conjunction with Kent State University and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Graduate students take classes as well as participate in supervised clinical experiences, which take place in the campus clinic and in a wide variety of external sites.

Job Outlook

Audiology is listed among the fastest growing occupations by the United States Department of Labor. Average starting salaries for audiologists is around $80,000. For more information go to www.asha.org/public/hearing/gen_audiology.htm or www.audiology.org.

Requirements for Admission

The Bachelor of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology (BAT) requires 50 credits of general education requirements and other required courses, including the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Standards¹. The major also requires 46 credits of core coursework in speech-language pathology and audiology, 11 credits of electives and 13 extra courses for BAT degree completion. The BAT option does not require two years of a modern language. Instead, the student completes 13 credits of additional coursework. Recommended areas include: Nutrition/Dietetics, Nursing, Social Work, Applied Science and Technology, Psychology, or Sociology.

¹

Coursework in human anatomy and physiology, physics or chemistry, psychology or sociology, and statistics are required to fulfill American Speech-Language-Hearing Association standards.  

A minimum of 30 credits and completion of the following courses with a 3.0 GPA is required to be admitted into the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Program. 

Pre-Admission Required Courses 

The following information has official approval of The School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology and The College of Health and Human Sciences, but is intended only as a supplemental guide. Official degree requirements are established at the time of transfer and admission to the degree-granting college. Students should refer to the Degree Progress Report (DPR) which is definitive for graduation requirements. Completion of this degree within the identified time frame below is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others. The transfer process is completed through an appointment with your academic advisor. It is highly recommended that all students need to meet with the SSLPA academic advisor once admitted into the program. 

Below is an example sequence of courses including The University of Akron General Education Requirements as of January 1, 2020, School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Degree requirements as of January 1, 2019, and ASHA-CCC Standards as of January 1, 2020. 

Three year accelerated option: for first time students who have earned credits for at least the first year of courses. Credits can be earned through qualifying scores on appropriate Advanced Placement (AP) exams or through College Credit Plus Program (CCP) courses. Credits for qualifying AP scores or CCP courses are determined by the appropriate academic department. Departments may assign varied course credit, depending on the student’s score on an AP exam or grade in a CCP course. Students may also receive credit by examination or via placement tests, where appropriate.

Summary

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Several courses required for the major also satisfy General Education requirements. The University minimum of 36 credits are required for General Education and credit for these courses will apply to multiple requirements. 

General Education Courses

Core Courses  

 Tagged Degree Requirements

Other Required Courses

Recommended Sequence

¹

Preadmission Requirements – must be completed with a 3.0 GPA prior to admission into the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology major.

Alert: By the end of your first 48 credit hours attempted, you should have completed your General Education English, Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic, and Oral Communication (Speech) requirements. You should have also declared a major and transferred to (been accepted by) a degree granting college at The University of Akron.