Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences - San Diego State University

San Diego State University

Apr 12, 2025

2019/2020 University Catalog

Undergraduate Information
Graduate Information

Undergraduate Information

OFFICE: Speech, Language, and Hearing 221
TELEPHONE: 619-594-7746 / FAX: 619-594-7109
WEBSITE: http://slhs.sdsu.edu

Accredited in speech-language pathology and audiology by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.

Faculty

Emeritus: Allen, Cheng, Christensen, Davies, Gutierrez-Clellen, Kramer, Newhoff, Nichols, Seitz, Shapiro, Thal, Thile, Williams
Director: Love-Geffen
Professors: Barlow, Emmorey, Love-Geffen, Mackersie, Torre, III
Associate Professors: Blumenfeld, Dreisbach Hawe, Nip, Pham, Pruitt-Lord
Assistant Professors: Mills, Ries-Cornou
Lecturers: Branch, Buzzanga, Goodwiler, Hye, Kirsch, Lopes, Schmitz

The Major

The School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences is committed to preparing speech-language-hearing professionals to meet the challenges of a racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse society. There are limited employment opportunities for holders of the bachelor’s degree; the bachelor’s degree in speech, language, and hearing sciences serves as the basis for further graduate and professional study. A master’s or professional doctoral degree, national certification and/or state licensure or school credential are needed for professional practice in areas such as speech-language pathology and audiology. A research doctorate (Ph.D.) is required for individuals pursuing a research and teaching career at the university level.

Speech-language pathology and audiology are professions that identify, help, and study persons with communicative disorders. Those entering these professions should possess a strong motivation to help individuals with communication problems. Preparation involves acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to assume responsibility for assessment, education, and rehabilitation of persons with speech, language, and hearing disorders.

The master’s degree is an advanced degree for those wanting to work professionally as a speech-language pathologist. A professional doctorate is required for those wanting to work professionally as an audiologist. Positions in speech, language, and hearing sciences are available in many public and private settings working with persons with speech, language, and hearing impairments, and the cognitive disorders underlying these impairments. Graduates with certification or licensure work in rehabilitation centers, schools, hospitals, private agencies, private practice, industry, research, and university teaching and research centers. Career opportunities are particularly good for minority, bilingual or bicultural persons.

The undergraduate curriculum is broad, involving coursework on normal and disordered speech, language, and hearing, as well as clinical procedures. Students interested in the speech, language, and hearing sciences program are advised to take college level courses in anatomy, biology, psychology, English, physiology, linguistics, physics, and mathematics. Studies leading to private practice, hospital work, industrial work, work in school settings, or preparation for graduate work are similar in many ways; it is the area of specialization that serves to differentiate courses of study.

Retention Policy

The College of Health and Human Services expects that all speech, language, and hearing sciences majors will make reasonable academic progress towards the degree. Speech, language, and hearing sciences premajors who have completed major preparatory courses, earned 60 units, but have less than a 2.75 GPA may be removed from the premajor and placed in undeclared.

Impacted Program

The speech, language, and hearing sciences major is an impacted program. To be admitted to the speech, language, and hearing sciences major, students must meet the following criteria:

Complete preparation for the major;
Complete a minimum of 60 transferable semester units;
Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75.

To complete the major, students must fulfill the degree requirements for the major described in the catalog in effect at the time they are accepted into the premajor at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment).

Major Academic Plans (MAPs)

Visit http://www.sdsu.edu/mymap for the recommended courses needed to fulfill your major requirements. The MAPs website was created to help students navigate the course requirements for their majors and to identify which General Education course will also fulfill a major preparation course requirement.

Credential

The School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences offers academic and practica coursework applicable to the Speech Language Pathology (SLP) Credential (Credential Code: 00900), required for working in California public schools.

Applicants to a credential program are required to submit scores from the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST) as part of the application for admission to a credential program. Note that the CBEST is given only three or four times each year.

Credential candidates are required to have the Certificate of Clearance (finger printing) prior to beginning the school experience. Candidates should apply for the Certificate of Clearance several months prior to submitting an application to the school for public school practicum placement in order for the certificate to be processed in time for the placement.

Speech Language Pathology (SLP) Credential in Language, Speech, and Hearing

(Credential Code: 00900)

Students desiring to work with pupils with speech-language and hearing impairments on an itinerant or pull-out basis must complete the Speech Language Pathology (SLP) Credential in Language, Speech, and Hearing (LSH). A master’s degree in speech, language, and hearing sciences is required of all candidates graduating with a SLP credential. Candidates for SLP credential in Language, Speech, and Hearing (LSH) must complete the requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and the requirements of California licensure in Language and Speech. See sections on Certificates and Licensure.

Admission Requirements:

Formal application to San Diego State University and to the School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. All applicants for the credential must satisfy the admission requirements of the university and of the school for classified graduate standing and be recommended by the school for admission to the credential program.
California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST) results.
Interview with the coordinator of the Language, Speech and Hearing credential.

Program Requirements:

The credential program requires a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
The following courses are also required: SLHS 525 , SLHS 546 (or transcript credit in an equivalent course), 618A and/or 619, 618B, 626A, 626B, 626C, 627, 629, 630, 933.
The program of professional preparation for the SLP Credential in Language, Speech, and Hearing requires a minimum of 75 semester credit hours, including a minimum of 27 semester credit hours in basic sciences and a minimum of 36 semester credit hours in professional coursework. At least 30 of the 36 semester credit hours must be in courses for which graduate credit is received, and at least 21 of the 30 graduate semester credit hours must be in the professional area for which the credential is sought. The candidate must complete a minimum of 25 supervised observation hours and 350 clinical contact hours including 50 clock hours in each of three types of clinical setting. This credential also requires that a minimum of 100 clock hours be completed in the school setting. See the section on Certificates and the Credential Coordinator for additional information.

Certificates and Licensure

Preparation Leading to the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

Students may complete the academic and clinical practice requirements leading to the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) or to the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) given by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. The certificate requires a professional doctorate in audiology (refer to Graduate Bulletin), a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, and specialized clinical experiences. The applicant must pass a national examination in the area for which the certificate is sought and complete a Clinical Fellowship (following approval of academic coursework and clinical practica). Consult an adviser in the area in which certificate is desired.

Preparation Leading to State Licensure in Speech Pathology or Audiology

Students may complete the academic and clinical practicum requirements leading to California State Licensure in Speech Pathology or in Audiology, a legal requirement for all individuals professionally employed in non-public school settings and some public school settings. The Speech Pathology and Audiology Examining Committee which operates within the California State Board of Medical Quality Assurance requires a master’s degree or equivalent in speech, language, and hearing sciences in the area (Speech Pathology or Audiology) in which the license is to be granted, 300 clock hours of supervised clinical experience, a national examination, and nine months of full-time supervised work experience (Required Professional Experience). For audiology, the fourth year externship satisfies the Required Professional Experience. Most Licensure and ASHA Certification requirements may be fulfilled concurrently. Consult an adviser in the area in which licensure is desired for specific information.

High School Equivalents

High school American sign language courses may be used for purposes of placement in college courses and may be counted toward meeting the language requirement in various majors. These high school courses will not count as college credit toward graduation.

Secondary school language courses can be used as follows:

The first two years of high school level language count as the equivalent of the first semester of a college level course.
The first three years of high school level language count as the equivalent of the first two college semesters.
Four years of high school level language count as the equivalent of three college semesters or five college quarters, thus fulfilling the language requirement.

Graduate Information

OFFICE: Speech, Language, and Hearing 221
TELEPHONE: 619-594-7746 / FAX: 619-594-7109
WEBSITE: http://slhs.sdsu.edu

Faculty

Tracy E. Love-Geffen, Ph.D., Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Director of School
Sonja L. Pruitt-Lord, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Associate Director of School (Speech Language Program Director)
Jessica A. Barlow, Ph.D., Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Karen D. Emmorey, Ph.D., Albert W. Johnson Distinguished Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Carol L. Mackersie, Ph.D., Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (Audiology Program Director)
Peter Torre, III, Ph.D., Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Henrike K. Blumenfeld, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Laura Dreisbach Hawe, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Ignatius Nip, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (Graduate Adviser)
Giang T. Pham, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Alyson Abel Mills, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Stephanie Ries-Cornou, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

General Information

The master’s degree program in speech-language pathology and professional doctorate in audiology (Au.D.) are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.

The School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences offers graduate study leading to the Master of Arts degree in speech, language, and hearing sciences, and to the credentials described below. The cooperating faculties of San Diego State University and the University of California, San Diego, offer a joint program leading to a Ph.D. in language and communicative disorders and a professional doctorate in audiology (Au.D.). The School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences is committed to preparing speech-language-hearing professionals to meet the challenges of a culturally and linguistically diverse society. An M.A. degree in speech, language, and hearing sciences provides the necessary education, technical training, and creative experience necessary for professional activity, college-level teaching, and preceptors in speech-language pathology and related fields.

The programs utilize the facilities of the Speech, Language, and Hearing building, which includes observation rooms, school reference collection, and speech and hearing science laboratories. In the laboratories, students use acoustic immittance equipment, audiometric response simulators, EEG, electromagnetic articulography, eye-tracking, digital spectrograph, hearing aid analyzer, laryngoscopic manikin, microprocessor based diagnostic audiometers, miniphonators, optical motion capture, personal computers, phonic mirror, spectral signal analyzer, state-of-the-art ENG and evoked potential equipment, Visipitch, and video and audio equipment with ongoing new acquisitions.

In addition, the school utilizes its on-campus audiology and speech-language clinics. Students and faculty participate in providing direct delivery of clinical services to clients and participate in the assistive device assessment program, which evaluates and recommends augmentative or alternative means of communication for persons with severe communication impairment. Field experience is offered in the public schools and community agencies. Practicum and observation experiences are possible at various hospitals, schools, community agencies, and rehabilitation agencies.

Section I. Master’s Degree Programs

Admission to Graduate Study

Students will be admitted to the graduate programs only in the fall semester. Applications to the university must be submitted by January 12 for the master’s degree programs in speech-language pathology and communicative sciences. For application information, see the school’s website, http://slhs.sdsu.edu, select “M.A. Application” from the index or call 619-594-7746.

All students must satisfy the general admission and examination requirements for admission to the university with classified graduate standing as described in Part Two of this bulletin. In addition, the applicant must satisfy the following requirements before being considered for admission to classified graduate standing by the school’s Admissions Review Committee.

Students applying for admission should electronically submit the university application available at http://www.calstate.edu/apply along with the application fee by December 15.

All applicants must submit admissions materials separately to SDSU Graduate Admissions and to the School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences via the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) at https://csdcas.com. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Deadline for receipt: January 12.

Graduate Admissions

The following materials should be submitted as a complete package directly to:

Graduate Admissions

Enrollment Services
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-7416

Official transcripts (in sealed envelopes) from all postsecondary institutions attended;
- Students who attended SDSU need only submit transcripts for work completed since last attendance.
- Students with international coursework must submit both the official transcript and proof of degree. If documents are in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
GRE scores (http://www.ets.org SDSU institution code 4682);
English language score, if medium of instruction was in a language other than English (http://www.ets.org SDSU institution code 4682).

School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

The following admissions materials must be submitted electronically via CSDCAS (https://csdcas.com by January 12:

Essay;
Curriculum vitae or resume;
Transcripts*;
Letters of recommendation (Applicants must provide names and e-mail addresses for recommenders. Recommenders will be sent e-mail to electronically complete letter of recommendation).

*Official transcripts must be mailed to CSDCAS Verification Department, P.O. Box 9113, Waterton, MA 02471

Once the above requirements have been satisfied, the applicant’s file is considered complete and eligible for review by the school’s Admissions Review Committee. Admission to the graduate programs is guided by careful consideration of all the above materials by a designated Admissions Review Committee. Applicants whose files are incomplete will not be eligible for admission to classified graduate standing. The number of new admissions is restricted and is determined by space availability; therefore, admission is based on consideration of all application materials and the relative merits of individual applicants among all eligible applicants.

Graduate faculty serve as graduate advisers and are assigned to students upon admission.

Advancement to Candidacy

All students must meet the general requirements for advancement to candidacy as described in Part Four of this bulletin.

Certificates and Licensure

Preparation Leading to the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

Students may complete the academic and clinical practice requirements leading to the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-Sp) or to the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) given by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. The certificate requires a professional doctorate in audiology (see Audiology ) and a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, and 75 semester units (at least 27 of the 75 semester units must be in basic science coursework, and at least 36 of the 75 semester units must be in professional coursework). At least 30 of the 36 professional coursework units must be in courses for which graduate credit was received. A minimum of 21 of the 30 units must be completed at the graduate level in the professional area for which the certificate is sought. The certificate requires 375 clock hours of supervised clinical observation (25 hours) and clinical practicum (350 hours), and at least 250 or the 350 clock hours must be in the professional area for which the certificate is sought while the applicant is engaged in graduate study. Clock hours must satisfy designated categories for age span, types of disorders, assessment and intervention. The applicant must pass a national examination in the area for which the certificate is sought and complete a Clinical Fellowship (following approval of academic coursework and clinical practica). Consult an adviser in the area in which certificate is desired.

Preparation Leading to State Licensure in Speech Pathology or Audiology

Students may complete the academic and clinical practicum requirements leading to California State Licensure in Speech Pathology or in Audiology, a legal requirement for all individuals professionally employed in non-public school settings and some public school settings. The Speech Pathology and Audiology Examining Committee which operates within the California State Board of Medical Quality Assurance requires a master’s degree or equivalent in speech, language, and hearing sciences in the area (Speech Pathology or Audiology) in which the license is to be granted, 300 clock hours of supervised clinical experience, a national examination, and nine months of full-time supervised work experience (Required Professional Experience). Most Licensure and ASHA Certification requirements may be fulfilled concurrently. Consult an adviser in the area in which licensure is desired for specific information.