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Speech and Hearing Science, BS

Explore the biological, cognitive, linguistic and social sides of human communication. Understand the foundations of human communication and gain a well-rounded education in speech, language and hearing sciences.

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A researcher performs hearing tests on a participant, demonstrating field explored in the BS in Speech and Hearing Science

Quick facts

Courses

120 credit hours
Math intensity: Moderate program math intensity moderate
First required math course: MAT 117 - College Algebra
or MAT 170 Precalculus
View more details

Additional facts

STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

The BS/MS accelerated option for this program is not currently available to ASU Online students.

Degree description

Speech and Hearing Science degree description

The Bachelor of Science program in speech and hearing science engages you in study of the normal aspects of the communication process, with emphasis on:

  • the human communication system, including the anatomy and physiology of the hearing and speech mechanisms
  • normal development of speech and language production and perception
  • speech, language and hearing science

The curriculum enables you to develop knowledge and skills to evaluate and determine speech and language deficits and disorders. Upper-division coursework introduces clinical methods and disorders of speech, language and hearing.

Why study speech and hearing science at ASU?

Learn from College of Health Solutions faculty who are actively engaged in research and practice across language development, hearing, communication disorders and rehabilitation. Through ASU's interdisciplinary approach to health and human development, you examine communication from biological, psychological and social perspectives.

This program is also available online, bringing you access to a specialized pre-professional degree that many distance-learning programs across the country do not offer.

Courses

Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.

Sample courses
SHS 205 Exploring Communication Disorders in Children and Adults
SHS 250 Introduction to Phonetics
SHS 310 Anatomical and Physiological Bases of Speech
SHS 311 Hearing Science
SHS 367 Language Science
SHS 375 Speech Science

Course checksheet and curriculum archive

The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.

What If

Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).

Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.

If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.

See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)

What you'll learn

The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.

  • Apply knowledge of typical adult speech and language profiles to evaluate speech and language deficits.
  • Apply knowledge of typical speech and language development to evaluate developmental speech and language disorders.
  • Evaluate the results of audiograms, applying knowledge of normal hearing to determine hearing loss and auditory pathologies.

Admission requirements

Here are the admission and application details

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)

A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.

Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.


Explore expanded study opportunities

This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.

This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:

Undergraduate advisor
Andrea Gomez
602-496-3300
chs@asu.edu
Graduate advisor
Molly Gonzalez
602-496-3300
chsgrad@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-3300
Learn more about this program

Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.

Global experience

With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available to them, speech and hearing science students are able to tailor their experience to their specific interests and skill sets. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, students build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships across the world, increasing their professional network.

The College of Health Solutions recommends these programs for students majoring in speech and hearing science.

Paying for college

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Get an estimate

Build the career and future you want

Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:

Career opportunities showing job titles, projected growth rates, median salaries, and links to detailed information
Career Growth Median Salary More Information
Advocate 7.4% $45,930
Audiologist 11.0% $95,780
Community Health Worker 12.7% $51,850
Hearing Aid Specialist 19.4% $65,160
Human Behavior Researcher 5.0% $61,990
Speech Language Pathology Assistant 4.8% $48,430
Speech Pathologist 16.6% $97,870

Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.

Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).


More about careers

Careers this speech and hearing science degree prepares you for

Positions in speech-language pathology and audiology are in high demand, rated as careers with bright outlooks by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Information Network. Potential employment opportunities for program graduates include these positions:

  • audiology assistant
  • hearing aid or cochlear implant company representative
  • research assistant or associate in a behavioral discipline
  • speech-language pathology assistant
  • support staff member in a rehabilitation or health facility

Many graduates of speech and hearing sciences gain entrance to graduate-level programs in speech-language pathology or audiology. In both fields, a graduate degree is required for employment.

The undergraduate degree in speech and hearing science is also excellent preparation for those who wish to enter professional or graduate programs in fields such as:

  • counseling
  • education
  • medicine
  • rehabilitation
  • social work
  • special education
  • teaching for the deaf

Graduates work with a variety of populations, including people on the autism spectrum, bilingual language learners, those with delayed or disordered speech and language or those experiencing hearing impairment or stuttering, patients recovering from strokes, or patients with degenerative or neurological disease. Graduates work with patients and clients across the life span, from infants to geriatrics, in a variety of settings.

Contact information

Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.

School of Clinical Health Sciences | HLTHN 401AA
chs@asu.edu
602-496-3300

Frequently asked questions about degree programs

Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.

Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.

ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.

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