Speech-Language
Pathology and Audiology

Career potential

An audiologist assesses and treats people with auditory disorders, while a speech-language pathologist assesses and treats people with speech and language disorders. As a professional in either field, you may work in public schools, clinics, hospitals, industry and business, private practice and government agencies, as well as colleges and universities. Because communication disorders affect people of all ages and backgrounds, you will work with a diverse patient population (for example, people with cochlear implants, people who stutter, people with cleft palate and other craniofacial anomalies, pediatric patients or people requiring augmentative communication systems).

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) says career opportunities in communication disorders are numerous because of the strong emphasis being placed on early detection of disorders, the growing geriatric population, increasing concern over occupational hearing loss and rapid advances in technology. In addition to an alluring job market, the compensation and fringe benefits for audiologists and speech-language pathologists are respectable.

University of North Texas' Career Center can help you prepare to pursue your career in audiology and speech-language pathology. The center has information about jobs and employers, and the staff can help you with resume and letter writing, job search strategies and interview preparation.

Majoring in speech-language pathology and audiology

UNT's Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences offers a bachelor of arts degree with a major in speech-language pathology and audiology, master of arts and master of science degrees with a major in speech-language pathology, and a doctor of audiology. A master's degree and state licensure are required to practice in speech-language pathology in Texas. Beginning in 2012, a doctoral degree and state licensure will be required to practice audiology in Texas. Clinical certification is also available to professionals in both fields through ASHA and to audiologists through the American Academy of Audiology.

The undergraduate program will provide you with the necessary tools for graduate study in speech-language pathology and audiology, and it will offer an avenue to those interested in pursuing other health professions, such as law, psychology, teaching or gerontology. The program will provide preparation in the typical development and functioning of hearing, language and speech. Majors study the anatomy and physiology involved in the process of hearing sounds and producing speech sounds. Introductory courses in audiology, speech and hearing science, and speech and language development will provide you with a solid foundation of knowledge of the skills required for communication.

Advanced course work will focus on specific hearing, speech and language disorders. Courses in aural rehabilitation, articulation disorders and language disorders are designed to prepare you for graduate study in the assessment and treatment of these disorders.

For some students, these courses provide a foundation that might be related to other disciplines, such as education or psychology. Undergraduates are introduced to the clinical aspects of speech-language pathology and audiology through course work and clinical experiences at the UNT Speech and Hearing Center.

Preparing for UNT

If you are a high school student, we suggest you prepare for college by becoming computer proficient and taking:

• English … 4 years
• Math … 4 years
• Social science — economics, geography, government, history … 4 years
• Science … 3 years
• Foreign language … 3 years
• Fine arts … 1 year

You will need to take courses in most of these subjects under the university core curriculum required of all undergraduates, in addition to your major courses. Talk with your high school counselor about preparing for college, including the entrance exams (SAT Reasoning Test or ACT) that you should take during your junior year.

As a benefit for transfer students, UNT participates in the Texas Common Course Numbering System. This system makes it easier to transfer credits for general academic courses from one Texas institution to another.

If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult the UNT Transfer Guide, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor to discuss your degree plan. Proper planning will help you receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

You can declare a major in speech-language pathology and audiology immediately upon enrolling at UNT.

Charting your path with academic advising

A faculty member in the department serves as an academic advisor. You will meet with your advisor each semester to select the necessary courses for completing the bachelor of arts degree. The department office is in the Speech and Hearing Center, Room 260.

Curious about courses and other features of this major?
See the current catalog.