Speech-Language Pathology, BS
A Career of Caring
The speech-language pathology undergraduate program is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of normal and disordered communication as preparation for entrance into graduate school. The program requires majors to have a scientific knowledge base for good decision making skills. The undergraduate program is considered a pre-professional program; it lays the foundation for the master's program, which is required for independent professional practice and offered by The W.
Progression Policy
A cumulative overall grade point average of 2.75 is required for progression to 300 and 400-level classes in Speech-Language Pathology. In addition, a grade of C is required in each Speech-Language Pathology course including those at the 200-level prior to progression in the program. In the event a student earns a grade lower than a C in any class which is a prerequisite for another class, he/she will be unable to enroll in the higher level class. A course in Speech-Language Pathology may be repeated only once. If a student does not obtain a grade of C or better in a course when it is repeated, the student may not progress in the program. Only two speech-language pathology courses may be repeated.
The following is only one source of information regarding a student's program of study in seeking the B.S. degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Students should always meet with a faculty advisor for information on course scheduling, rotation, and selection and for planning an effective and efficient program of study.
Sample Curriculum
The following is for general information purposes and may change from year-to-year. Please consult the Undergraduate Bulletin for the latest program requirements.
FRESHMAN YEAR - FIRST SEMESTER
EN 101 - English Composition I - 3 hours
Natural Science w/ Lab - 4 Hours
MA 113 or Higher (excluding MA 123) - 3 Hours
Humanities & Fine Arts - 3 Hours
Health Related - 1 Hour
UN 101 Freshman Seminar - 1 Hour
Total - 15 Hours
FRESHMAN YEAR - SECOND SEMESTER
EN 102 - English Composition II - 3 Hours
Natural Science w/ Lab - 4 Hours
COM 101 Oral Communication - 3 Hours
Humanities & Fine Arts - 3 Hours
Social Science - 3 Hours
Total - 16 Hours
SOPHOMORE YEAR - FIRST SEMESTER
Science or Math - 3 or 4 Hours
Humanities & Fine Arts - 3 Hours
Critical Thinking - 3 Hours
Elective - 3 Hours
Elective - 3 Hours
Total - 15/16 Hours
SOPHOMORE YEAR - SECOND SEMESTER
Science or Math - 3 or 4 Hours
Humanities & Fine Arts - 3 Hours
MA 123 Statistics - 3 Hours
Elective - 3 Hours
Elective - 3 Hours
Total - 15/16 Hours
*Students enrolled at MUW during fall of their sophomore year may begin SPA course sequence with SPA 200 and/or during the spring of their sophomore year take SPA 210.
JUNIOR YEAR - FIRST SEMESTER
SPA 200* Survey of Communication Disorders - 3 Hours
SPA 201 Phonetics - 3 Hours
SPA 209 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism - 3 Hours
Elective - 3 Hours
Elective - 3 Hours
Total - 15 Hours
JUNIOR YEAR - SECOND SEMESTER
SPA 210 The Development of Normal Speech and Language - 3 Hours
SPA 313 Speech and Hearing Science - 3 Hours
SPA 321 Principles of Therapy: Articulation - 3 hours
Elective - 3 Hours
Elective - 3 Hours
Total - 15 Hours
SENIOR YEAR - FIRST SEMESTER
SPA 303 Introduction to Audiology - 3 Hours
SPA 308 Language Disorders in Children and Their Treatment - 3 Hours
SPA 311 Basic Clinical Strategies in Speech-Language Pathology - 3 Hours
SPA 411 Basic Diagnostic Procedures - 3 Hours
Elective - 3 Hours
Total - 15 Hours
SENIOR YEAR - SECOND SEMESTER
SPA 350 Program Planning in Speech-Language Pathology - 3 Hours
SPA 403 Strategies in Therapy for the Hearing Impaired - 3 Hours
SPA 449 Neurology - 3 Hours
Elective - 3 Hours
Elective - 3 Hours
Total - 15 Hours
Minor
Students may minor in business, psychology, family science, or any other approved curriculum.
See Undergraduate Curriculum Worksheet for more information.
Speech-Language Pathology, BS Curriculum
This information is presented for informational purposes. In the event of a discrepancy between this page and the Undergraduate Bulletin, the Bulletin should always be used.
General Education Curriculum
In keeping with The W's Mission, the General Education Program provides students with the skills, knowledge, and values they need to become independent, productive members of society in our continually changing world.
The W's General Education Program provides a foundation in the liberal arts that includes knowledge in the historical, literary, aesthetic, scientific, and cultural traditions that shape the world, and fosters skills that allow students to become civically responsible life-long learners ready to adapt to new challenges.
All students who complete the Mississippi University for Women general education program will demonstrate:
- Critical Thinking
- Effective Communication
- Cultural Literacy
- Quantitative & Technology Skills
- Understanding of Self, Global Societies, & the Natural World
- Life-Long Learning
Bachelor of Science Requirements
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree must complete the following courses in their academic program:
- 8 semester hours of Laboratory Science
- 3 semester hours of Mathematics MA 113 (or higher)
- 6 semester hours of Science and/or Mathematics
- 3 semester hours of additional mathematics above MA 113 or computer applications/programming course
A total of 20 hours is required, and students may not double count credit hours in the above categories.
Major Courses
(Minimum grade of C or above required)
The 39 semester hours of required courses in the professional major include:
- SPA 200 - Survey of Communication Disorders
- SPA 201 - Phonetics
- SPA 209 - Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism
- SPA 210 - The Development of Normal Speech and Language
- SPA 303 - Introduction to Audiology
- SPA 308 - Language Disorders in Children and Their Treatment
- SPA 311 - Basic Clinical Strategies in Speech-Language Pathology
- SPA 313 - Speech and Hearing Science
- SPA 321 - Principles of Therapy: Articulation
- SPA 350 - Program Planning in Speech-Language Pathology
- SPA 403 - Strategies in Therapy for the Hearing Impaired
- SPA 411 - Basic Diagnostic Procedures
- SPA 449 - Neurology
Other Required Courses:
- Course in statistics (MA 123 - Statistics or higher)
- Science or Math (6 semester hours) *
Science Requirement
Choose one biological lab science from the following:
- BSB 109 - Introduction to Biology I
- BSB 151 - General Biology I
- BSB 151L - General Biology I Laboratory
- BSB 152 - General Biology II
- BSB 152L - General Biology II Laboratory
- BSB 141 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- BSB 142 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- BSM 131 - General Microbiology
- BSM 131L - General Microbiology Laboratory
Choose one physical lab science from the following:
- PSC 108 - Introduction to Chemistry
- PSC 108L - Introduction to Chemistry Lab
- PSC 111 - General Chemistry I
- PSC 111L - General Chemistry I Laboratory
- PSC 112 - General Chemistry II
- PSC 112L - General Chemistry II Laboratory
- PSP 211 - General Physics
- PSP 212 - General Physics
- PSP 213 - General Physics (Calculus Based)
- PSP 214 - General Physics (Calculus Based)
Total Hours Required for a BS in Speech-Language Pathology: 124 Semester Hours
Undergraduate Clinical Practicum
Admission to Clinical Practicum:
Students seeking admission to Clinical Practicum must submit documentation of the following to the Undergraduate Practicum Coordinator no later than October 15 for Spring Semester, or February 15 for Fall (or Summer Semester admission when applicable):
- an application for admission to Clinical Practicum.
- a curriculum check sheet and tentative schedule.
- documentation of the completion of all core (major and university) courses, except SPA 403 and SPA 449.
- documentation of a minimum grade of B in each of the major courses. Course may be repeated only once.
- documentation of a 2.5 overall GPA and a 3.0 GPA in professional courses.
- documentation of 20 clock hours of observation.
- documentation of the student’s certification in CPR.
- documentation of the completion or current enrollment in SPA 403 to receive credit for aural rehabilitation hours.
Transportation:
Students are responsible for supplying and paying for their own transportation to practicum sites.
Insurance:
All students enrolled in clinical practicum must purchase professional liability insurance.