Major in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

The department offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) for undergraduate students. SLHS majors gain foundational knowledge in speech, language, swallowing, hearing, cognition and balance as well as associated disorders.  This includes a basic introduction in their prevention, identification, and management across the lifespan.

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About the Major

The BA in SLHS is a good fit for students who want to learn how to apply information from the biological, physical, and social sciences to the assessment and management of people with language, speech, and hearing disorders. SLHS majors learn how to think critically about complex issues affecting human communication.

SLHS can serve as a foundational degree for careers in speech-language pathology, audiology, allied health professions, education, human services, or even fields like media, sales, public relations, and government.

Download the Plan of Study.

Major Requirements

In addition to meeting the university and CLAS requirements, students in the major must meet the following requirements:

 

Pass the Following General Education Courses

  • Biology: BIOL 1102 or 1107 or 1108.
  • Physics: PHYS 1010Q or 1075Q.
  • Statistics: STAT 2215Q. Prerequisite: STAT 1100Q or 1000Q.

    Pass All SLHS Core Courses

    • SLHS 2203. Anatomy and Physiology of Speech, Hearing, and Swallowing.
    • SLHS 2204. Speech and Language Acquisition.
    • SLHS 2156Q. Speech and Hearing Sciences. (PHYS 1010Q or 1075Q not required but highly suggested.)
    • SLHS 3247. Introduction to Phonetic Principles. Prerequisites: SLHS 2203 and SLHS 2156Q.
    • SLHS 3248. Introduction to Audiology. Prerequisites: SLHS 2203 and SLHS 2156Q.
    • SLHS 4249 or 4249W. Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation.
      • Prerequisites: SLHS 3248; if taking as a W course: ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011 or 2011.
      • SLHS 4249W satisfies the writing requirement for major.

      Pass One Upper Division Writing Course in the Major

      • SLHS 4245W.  Neuroscience of Cognitive and Communication Disorders. Prerequisites: SLHs 2203 and 2204; ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011 or 2011.
      • SLHS 4249W. Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation. Prerequisites: SLHS 3248; ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011 or 2011.
      • SLHS 4254W. Introduction to Language Disorders in Children. Prerequisites: SLHS 2204;  ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011 or 2011.
      • SLHS 4296W. Senior Thesis.
        • Prerequisites: ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011 or 2011.
        • Open to honor students.

      Pass Two Required Disordered Courses

      Students must pass two of the following three courses:

      • SLHS 4245 or 4245W. Prerequisites: SLHS 2203 and 2204; ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011 or 2011.
      • SLHS 4251. Prerequisites: SLHS 2156Q, SLHS 2203, SLHS 2204, SLHS 324.
      • SLHS 4254 or 4254W. Prerequisites: SLHS 2204;  ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011 or 2011.

      Pass 12 Credit Hours in Related Courses

      The following is a list of pre-approved related courses. You may use other courses to satisfy this requirement with permission from your faculty advisor.

      Please note: Anytime an entire department is listed, that means that all 2000+ level courses from that department will satisfy the related requirement.

      Students interested in pursuing specialty teacher certification as a Speech Language Pathologist in the State of Connecticut upon completion of graduate school are encouraged to take six of the required 12 related credits from those courses noted with an asterisk (***). 

      • AAAS/HDFS. 3473 Asian-Pacific American Families (3 credits).
      • AFRA/PP. 3033 Race and Policy (3 credits)
      • AFRA/PSYC 3106. Black Psychology (3 credits).
      • AH 2001. Medical Terminology (1 credit).
      • AH 3000. U.S. Healthcare Systems & Prof Practice (3 credits).
      • AH 3303. Disability Law, Policy, Ethics, Advocacy (3 credits).
      • ANTH 2000/W. Social Anthropology (3 credits).
      • ANTH 3002. Culture, Language, and Thought (3 credits).
      • ANTH/LLAS 3041/3241. Latin American Minorities in the U.S. (3 credits).
      • ANTH 3202W. Illness and Curing (3 credits).
      • ANTH 3250. Cognitive Anthropology (3 credits).
      • ANTH 3251. Psychological Anthropology (3 credits).
      • ANTH 3302. Medical Ecology (3 credits).
      • ANTH 3304. Anthropology of Drug Use (3 credits).
      • ANTH 3325. Introduction to Global Health (3 credits).
      • American Sign Language (ASLN). All 2000+ courses.
      • Cognitive Science (COGS). All 2000+ courses.
      • COMM 3220. Intercross-Cultural Communication (3 credits).
      • COMM 3240. Nonverbal Communication (3 credits).
      • COMM/PSYC 3251. Motivation and Emotion (3 credits).
      • COMM 4200/W.  Advanced Interpersonal Communication (3 credits).
      • COMM 43420. Health Communication (3 credits).
      • DRAM 2901. Voice & Speech III (3 credits).
      • ECON 2456. Economics of Poverty (3 credits).
      • ENGL 3603. The History of the English Language (3 credits).
      • EEB 2202. Evolution and Human Diversity (3 credits).
      • EEB/PSYC 3201. Animal Behavior (3 credits).
      • ***EPSY 3010. Educational Psychology (3 credits).
      • EPSY 3020. Peer Counseling (3 credits).
      • EPSY 3333. Introduction to Counseling and Psychoeducation (3 credits).
      • FREN 3218. Francophone Studies (3 credits).
      • FREN 3224. Issues in Cultural Studies, the Media, and the Social Sciences (3 credits).
      • FREN 3250. Global Culture in French I (3 credits).
      • FREN 3251. Global Culture in French II (3 credits).
      • GEOG 2000. Globalization (3 credits).
      • GEOG 2200. Introduction to Human Geography (3 credits).
      • GEOG 3240. Medical and Health Care Geography (3 credits).
      • GERM 3258. Germans in Africa, Blacks in German-Speaking Countries (3 credits).
      • Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS). All 2000+ level courses.
      • HIST 3221. Latinos/as & Human Rights (3 credits).
      • HIST 3555/W. Work and Workers in American Society (3 credits).
      • HIST/LLAS 3221. Latinos/as and Human Rights (3 credits).
      • HRTS/PHIL 2170W. Bioethics and Human Rights in Cross-Cultural Perspective (3 credits).
      • HRTS/WGSS 2263. Women, Gender, and Violence (3 credits).
      • HRTS/SOCI 2520. White Racism (3 credits).
      • HRTS/SOCI 2830. Class, Power, and Inequality (3 credits).
      • HRTS/POLS 3042. Theories of Human Rights (4 credits).
      • HRTS/POLS 3212. Comparative Perspectives on Human Rights (3 credits).
      • HRTS 3475. Economic Development and Human Rights (3 credits).
      • Linguistics (LING). All 2000+ courses.
      • LLAS 3210. Contemporary Issues in Latino Studies (3 credits).
      • LLAS/HIST 3221/3575. Latinos/as and Human Rights (3 credits).
      • LLAS/ANTH 3241/3041. Latin American Minorities in the U.S. (3 credits).
      • LLAS/HDFS 3250/3442. Health and Health Care (3 credits).
      • MCB 2210. Cell Biology (3 credits).
      • MCB 2400. Human Genetics (3 credits).
      • MCB 2410. Genetics (3 credits).
      • MCB 2610. Fundamentals of Microbiology (4 credits).
      • MCB 3011. Human Metabolism and Disease (2 credits).
      • MCB 3211. Cancer Cell Biology and Genetics (3 credits).
      • MCB 3219. Developmental and Regenerative Biology (3 credits).
      • MCB 3246. Virology (3 credits).
      • MCB 3633. Pathogenic Microbiology (4 credits).
      • NUSC 2200. Nutrition and Human Development (3 credits).
      • PHIL/HRTS 2170W. Bioethics and Human Rights in Cross-Cultural Perspective (3 credits).
      • PNB 2264. Human Physiology & Anatomy (4 credits).
      • PNB 2265. Human Physiology & Anatomy (4 credits).
      • PNB 2774. Enhanced Human Physiology & Anatomy 1 (4 credits).
      • PNB 2775. Enhanced Human Physiology & Anatomy 2 (4 credits).
      • PNB 2776. Enhanced Human Physiology & Anatomy Lab (2 credits).
      • PNB 3251. Biology of the Brain (3 credits).
      • PNB 3260. Stem Cell Biology (3 credits).
      • PNB 3278. Patient and the Healer (2 credits).
      • PNB 4400. Biology of Nervous System Diseases (3 credits).
      • POLS/HRTS 3042. The Theory of Human Rights (3 credits).
      • POLS/HRTS 3212. Comparative Perspectives on Human Rights (3 credits).
      • POLS 3214/W. Comparative Social Policy (3 credits).
      • POLS/PP 3033/3633. Race and Policy (3 credits).
      • Psychological Sciences (PSYC). All 2000+ courses.
      • PUBH 3001. Introduction to Epidemiology (3 credits).
      • SOCI/AASI 2210/W. Sociological Perspectives on Asian American Women (3 credits).
      • SOCI 2270/W. Society and the Individual (3 credits).
      • SOCI 2280. Sociology of Mental Illness (3 credits).
      • SOCI 2501. Sociology of Intolerance and Injustice (3 credits).
      • SOCI/HRTS 2520. White Racism (3 credits).
      • SOCI/HRTS 2830W. Class, Power, and Inequality (3 credits).
      • SOCI 2260. Sociology of Health (3 credits).
      • SOCI/WGSS 3453/W. Women and Health (3 credits).
      • SOCI 3459/W. Aging and Society (3 credits).
      • SOCI 3601. Sociology of Gender (3 credits).
      • SOCI/WGSS 2680/W. Sociology of Sexualities (3 credits).
      • SPAN 3172. Spanish for the Health Professions (3 credits).
      • SPAN 3178. Intermediate Spanish Composition (3 credits).
      • SPAN 3204. Language and Culture of U.S. Hispanics (3 credits).
      • SPAN 3240W. Advanced Spanish Composition (3 credits).
      • SPAN 3241. Spanish Phonetics (3 credits).
      • SPAN 3242. Spanish Communicative Grammar (3 credits).
      • WGSS 2105/W. Gender and Science (3 credits).
      • WGSS 2124. Gender and Globalization (3 credits).
      • WGSS/HRTS 2263. Women, Gender, and Violence (3 credits).
      • WGSS/PSYC 3102. Psychology of Women (3 credits).
      • WGSS/COMM 3210. Gender and Communication (3 credits).
      • WGSS 3252/W. Genders and Sexualities (3 credits).
      • WGSS/ASLN 3254. Women and Gender in the Deaf World (3 credits).
      • WGSS 3257/W. Feminist Disability Studies (3 credits).
      • WGSS 3270/W. Masculinities (3 credits).
      • WGSS/SOCI 3453. Women and Health (3 credits).
      • WGSS/SOCI 3621/W. Sociology of Sexualities (3 credits).
      • Other courses as approved by an academic advisor.

      Individualize Your Major

      SLHS offers various opportunities for students to enrich their undergraduate experience.

       

      Elective SLHS Courses

      The following courses are elective opportunities that may be offered within the department.

      • SLHS 3295. Special Topics (Topic - Introduction to Clinical Methods in Communication Sciences Disorders)
      • SLHS 3295: Special Topics (Honors Course. Topic - Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Communications Disorders: From Brain to Behavior).
      • SLHS 3299: Independent Study
        • Please discuss with your academic advisor
      • SLHS 4123: Bilingualism in Typical and Atypical Populations: Language and Cognition
        • Students can also complete this as SLHS 5123, but will be expected to complete additional work to meet graduate level expectations.

      Teaching Certification for SLP

      Pursuing a career as a speech-language pathologist in the school system in the State of Connecticut requires school certification. Our program offers a unique opportunity to meet some of these education requirements at the undergraduate level. Students are encouraged to take six credits from the following courses. These courses also count as Related Courses under Major Requirements.

      • EPSY 3010.
      • HDFS 2100.
      • HDFS 3103.
      • PSYC 2400.
      • PSYC 2500.
      • PSYC 2501.
      • PSYC 3400.

      Guided Clinical Observation in Speech Language Pathology

      For those considering a professional careers as a speech language pathologist, graduate program in speech, language, and hearing sciences leading to a degree in speech language pathology require applicants to provide documented proof of at least 25 guided clinical observation hours. We strongly encourage our majors to complete their observation hours prior to completing their undergraduate degree at UConn.

      Please visit the guided clinical observation page for more information about how to complete observation hours.

      Suggested Course Sequences

      The following are sample plans of study for students enrolled in the SLHS major at any UConn campus. As always, please meet with your academic advisor to discuss your plan of study.

      SLHS Sample 8 Semester Sequence: Option One

      This is one example of many possible course sequences for SLHS majors. We recommend that you take PHYS before SLHS 2156Q. We suggest this sequence if you are able to take PHYS at a regional campus. If not, option two is more appropriate. We also suggest that you complete approximately 30 credits per academic year if you want to graduate in four years.

      First-Year: Fall Semester
      • ENGL 1007, 1010, 1011, or 2011.
      • Any 3-credit course, any level.
      • Two general education courses.
      • UNIV 1800. FYE University Learning Skills.
      First-Year: Spring Semester
      • STAT 1000Q. Introduction to Statistics I.
      • Two general education courses.
      • Two 3-credit courses, any level.
      Sophomore: Fall Semester
      • BIOL 1102, 1007, or 1108.
      • Two general education courses.
      • Any 2000+ level course.
      • A general education course/W.
      Sophomore: Spring Semester
      • PHYS 1010Q or PHYS 1075Q.
      • Any 3-credit course, any level.
      • A related course.
      • A general education course.
      Junior: Fall Semester
      • SLHS 2156Q. Speech and Hearing Science.
      • SLHS 2203. Anatomy and Physiology of Speech, Hearing, and Swallowing.
      • SLHS 2204. Speech and Language Acquisition.
      • A related course.
      • Any 3-credit course, any level.
      Junior: Spring Semester
      • SLHS 3247. Introduction to Phonetic Principles.
      • SLHS 3248. Introduction to Audiology.
      • Any 2000+ level course.
      • A related course.
      • Environmental Literacy general education course.
      Senior: Fall Semester
      • Speech Disorders course (4245 or 4254)/W.
      • SLHS 4249. Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation/W.
      • A related course.
      • Any two 3-credit courses, any level.
      Senior: Spring Semester
      • A Speech Disorders course (4245/W or 4254/W or 4251).
      • STAT 2215Q. Introduction to Statistics II.
      • A related course.
      • A second related course or general education course.
      • Any 3-credit course, any level.

      SLHS Sample 8 Semester Sequence: Option Two

      This is one example of many possible course sequences for SLHS majors. We recommend that you take PHYS before SLHS 2156Q. We suggest this sequence if PHYS is not available at a regional campus. We also suggest that you complete approximately 30 credits per academic year if you want to graduate in four years.

      First-Year: Fall Semester
      • ENGL 1007, 1010, 1011, or 2011.
      • Any 3-credit course, any level.
      • Two general education courses.
      • UNIV 1800. FYE University Learning Skills.
      First-Year: Spring Semester
      • STAT 1000Q. Introduction to Statistics I.
      • Two general education courses.
      • Two 3-credit courses, any level.
      Sophomore: Fall Semester
      • BIOL 1102, 1007, or 1108.
      • Two general education courses.
      • Any 2000+ level course.
      • A general education course/W.
      Sophomore: Spring Semester
      • Two 3-credit courses, any level.
      • A related course.
      • Two general education courses.
      Junior: Fall Semester
      • PHYS 1010Q or PHYS 1075Q.
      • SLHS 2156Q. Speech and Hearing Science.
      • SLHS 2203. Anatomy and Physiology of Speech, Hearing, and Swallowing.
      • SLHS 2204. Speech and Language Acquisition.
      • A related course.
      Junior: Spring Semester
      • SLHS 2156Q. Speech and Hearing Science.
      • A Speech Disorders course (4245/W or 4254/W).
      • Any 2000+ level course.
      • A related course.
      • Environmental Literacy general education course.
      Senior: Fall Semester
      • SLHS 3247. Introduction to Phonetic Principles.
      • SLHS 3248. Introduction to Audiology.
      • A related course.
      • Any two 3-credit courses, any level.
      Senior: Spring Semester
      • A Speech Disorders course (4245/W or 4254/W or 4251).
      • STAT 2215Q. Introduction to Statistics II.
      • SLHS 4249. Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation/W.
      • Two 3-credit courses, any level.

      If you have changed your major to SLHS, below are options for various sequences in which you may take SLHS courses to meet the major course requirements by your final semester.

      5 Semester Sequence

      Sophomore: Spring Semester
      • SLHS 2156Q. Speech and Hearing Science.
      Junior: Fall Semester
      • SLHS 2203. Anatomy and Physiology of Speech, Hearing, and Swallowing.
      • SLHS 2204. Speech and Language Acquisition.
      Junior: Spring Semester
      • SLHS 3247. Introduction to Phonetic Principles.
      • SLHS 3248. Introduction to Audiology.
      Senior: Fall Semester
      • SLHS 4249/W. Introduction to Aural Rehab.
      • A Speech Disorders course (4245/W or 4254/W or 4251).
      Senior: Spring Semester
      • A Speech Disorders course (4245/W or 4254/W or 4251).
      • STAT 2215Q. Introduction to Statistics II.
      • A related course.
      • A second related course or general education course.
      • Any 3-credit course, any level.

      4 Semester Sequence: Option One

      Junior: Fall Semester
      • SLHS 2156Q. Speech and Hearing Science.
      • SLHS 2203. Anatomy and Physiology of Speech, Hearing, and Swallowing.
      • SLHS 2204. Speech and Language Acquisition.
      Junior: Spring Semester
      • SLHS 3247. Introduction to Phonetic Principles.
      • SLHS 3248. Introduction to Audiology.
      Senior: Fall Semester
      • SLHS 4249/W. Introduction to Aural Rehab.
      • A Speech Disorders course (4245/W or 4254/W or 4251).
      Senior: Spring Semester
      • A Speech Disorders course (4245/W or 4254/W or 4251).

      4 Semester Sequence: Option Two

      Junior: Fall Semester
      • SLHS 2156Q. Speech and Hearing Science.
      • SLHS 2203. Anatomy and Physiology of Speech, Hearing, and Swallowing.
      Junior: Spring Semester
      • SLHS 3247. Introduction to Phonetic Principles.
      • SLHS 2204. Speech and Language Acquisition.
      Senior: Fall Semester
      • SLHS 3248. Introduction to Audiology.
      • A Speech Disorders course (4245/W or 4254/W or 4251).
      Senior: Spring Semester
      • SLHS 4249/W. Introduction to Aural Rehab.
      • A Speech Disorders course (4245/W or 4254/W or 4251).

      4 Semester Sequence: Option Three

      Junior: Fall Semester
      • SLHS 2156Q. Speech and Hearing Science.
      • SLHS 2203. Anatomy and Physiology of Speech, Hearing, and Swallowing.
      Junior: Spring Semester
      • SLHS 3247. Introduction to Phonetic Principles.
      • SLHS 3248. Introduction to Audiology.
      Senior: Fall Semester
      • SLHS 4249/W. Introduction to Aural Rehab.
      • SLHS 2204. Speech and Language Acquisition.
      Senior: Spring Semester
      • A Speech Disorders course (4245/W or 4254/W or 4251).
      • A Speech Disorders course (4245/W or 4254/W or 4251).

      3 Semester Sequence

      Junior: Spring Semester
      • SLHS 2156Q. Speech and Hearing Science.
      • SLHS 2203. Anatomy and Physiology of Speech, Hearing, and Swallowing.
      • SLHS 2204. Speech and Language Acquisition.
      Senior: Fall Semester
      • SLHS 3247. Introduction to Phonetic Principles.
      • SLHS 3248. Introduction to Audiology.
      • A Speech Disorders course (4245/W or 4254/W or 4251).
      Senior: Spring Semester
      • SLHS 4249/W. Introduction to Aural Rehab.
      • A Speech Disorders course (4245/W or 4254/W or 4251).

      Double Majors, Dual Degrees, and Minors

      Many SLHS majors enrich their college experience by adding a double major, dual degree, and/or a minor.

      Current majors who wish to add another CLAS major (double major), a major outside of CLAS (dual degree), or a minor should meet with their current advisor to discuss their career goals, interests, and graduation timeline.

      Students interested in a major or minor outside of the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences should also meet with an advisor from that department.

      Students interested in adding speech, language, and hearing sciences as a double major can meet with an advisor to discuss the major, requirements, and timeline for graduation.

      Outcomes and Careers

      Alumni of UConn’s SLHS program work in many different fields and settings. Many of our students continue their education at some of the top graduate programs in the U.S.

      Learn more about careers for speech, language, and hearing science majors.

      Ready to take the next step?

      Students can declare a major or change their major using the Online Program Change site.

      To do so, log in, select New Major Change, and follow the prompts. If you have a double major or minor, please add that in the notes section.
       

      Declare Your Major

      Academic Advising

      For questions about major requirements or your plan of study, students are encouraged to make an appointment with their academic advisor.

      Learn more about advising.