BA in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences
The BA in SLHS offers you a broad liberal arts education in an interdisciplinary field of study. The coursework provides a background in human communication, including the production and understanding of speech and language. We often take these complex processes for granted, but a disorder or problem in one of those areas caused by disease, a problem at birth, or aging can have a profound effect on a person’s life. The field of SLHS defines normal and disordered communication and provides the research foundation for the diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders.
Transfer Guide
If you are exploring or planning to transfer to CLA, learning more about your intended major is important.
Click on the ” Full Requirements” button above to see all of the major requirements, and any limits or restrictions on certain kinds of courses or credits. Every major has a requirement of a minimum number of upper level credits or courses that must be taken through their department. Some departments also have limits to the number of 1xxx or 2xxx level courses that can count towards major requirements.
Courses to Prepare for the Major
To explore your interest in the Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences (SLHS) BA major, consider taking a course which transfers as equivalent to introductory requirements in the major.
Students take one of the following:
- SLHS 1301W - The Physics and Biology of Spoken Language, or
- SLHS 1402 - The Talking Brain
Students also need SLHS 1401 - Communication Differences and Disorders (also offered as SLHS 3401)
It is possible to take these introductory courses after transferring. This is common for students transferring from schools where a major similar to SLHS was not available.
A grade of C- or better is required in all courses approved to satisfy major requirements.
Transferring Courses and Credits
Use Transferology to help you plan your courses for the major. Remember, when using Transferology, look for courses that transfer as direct equivalents to UMTC major courses.
Check Transferology to see if an evaluation already exists for courses you would like to use towards the major. If you find a course that has not been evaluated, you can submit an evaluation request to find out if your course is equivalent to a specific UMTC course. A copy of the course syllabus is required for the evaluation.
Declaring the Major
Transfer students must apply and be admitted to the College of Liberal Arts in order to declare a major. Check out the information on the Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences declaration process on the Declare page.
BA Second Language Requirement
The BA degree does have a second language requirement. Consider completing or starting your second language before you transfer to CLA. Be sure to talk with a CLA transfer advisor about any questions.
Who Can Help as You Plan Your Transfer
- CLA Transfer Advising - CLA Transfer Advisors are ready to assist you as you plan your transfer to CLA. The Transfer to CLA website provides additional information to help you in your transfer exploration and planning.
- Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences Department Advising - The departmental advisor can answer questions that are specific to the major.
- Office of Admissions - Requirements for admission to CLA are not the same as the requirements to declare a major. Read through the CLA Transfer Admissions requirements to learn more, and contact the Office of Admissions with any questions.
If you are a current UMTC student or a UM-Rochester student, you will use the
Change of College application process.
Career Paths
All liberal arts degrees help CLA students develop their Core Career Competencies, and speech-language-hearing sciences majors develop specific skills that are applicable to lots of different careers. These skills include strong analytical and critical thinking, ability to link theory with practical applications, research, and critical evaluation skills, and listening, clarifying, questioning and responding skills.
Students who take the SuperStrong Interest Inventory receive a three-letter interest code, which identifies their top three areas of interest, work activities, potential skills, and personal values. The interest code "ISR" is often associated with this major, however, the SuperStrong assessment can help you understand how your interests connect to a variety of majors and career options. You can learn more about common employer types and occupations associated with this major. You can also see CLA specific examples of alumni careers below.
Internship & Job Search Websites
- Handshake
- HECUA internship program
- Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
- Idealist (Nonprofit positions in the US and internationally)
- UMN Pre-Health Student Resource Center
Student Groups
Professional Organizations
Alumni Career Examples
Below is a small sampling of what alumni with this major have pursued, organized by the most common career fields they go into (although keep in mind that there are alumni in all eight of the career fields). You can also utilize the LinkedIn's Alumni Tool and the Maroon and Gold Network to further explore alumni career pathways and connect directly with professionals.
Click to expand each accordion panel below for opportunities pursued by alumni in this major!
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- Research Audiology Intern, Starkey Hearing Technologies
- Personal Care Assistant, Fraser
- Pediatric Intern, St. Mary’s Hospital
- MHealth Unit Coordinator, Fairview Health Services
- Research Assistant, Learning to Talk Lab
- Speech Therapy Intern, El Centro de desarrollo infantil-Renacer
- Operations Intern, Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance
Entry-Level
- Nurse Assistant, Sanford Health
- Hearing Aid Dispenser, Liberty Hearing Aids
- Hearing Care Outreach Coordinator, Avada Audiology & Hearing Care
- Case Manager, Access Ability, Inc
- Audiologist Assistant, HealthPartners
- Customer Service Representative, Starkey Hearing Technologies
- Member Services Representative, HealthPartners
- Principal Account Specialist, Boynton Health Service
Experienced
- Speech Language Pathologist, Fairview Health Services*
- Certified Veterinary Technician, Banfield Pet Hospital*
- Technician, Fairview Health Services
- Research Analyst, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Speech Language Pathologist, Minneapolis Public Schools*
- Speech Language Pathologist, Minnetonka Public Schools*
- Occupational Therapist, HealthEast*
- Speech Language Pathologist, Allina Health*
Graduate Programs
- MS Psychology
- MS Counseling Psychology
- AS Veterinary Assistant
- Certified Medical Assistant
- MS Speech-Language Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Oskhkosh
- MS Speech-Language Pathology, University of Minnesota
- MS Occupational Therapy, University of Minnesota-Rochester
- MS Speech-Language Pathology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- MS Speech-Language Pathology with bilingual emphasis, Texas Christian University
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- PCA, St. David's Center for Child & Family Development
- Youth Program Assistant, Emerge Community Development
- Development Trainee, Fraser
Entry-Level
- Senior Program Assistant, Giant Steps
- Kids Stuff Lead Staff, YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities
- Advanced Line Therapist, Lund Van Dyke, LLC Autism & Behavior Specialists
- Program Counselor, ACR Homes
Experienced
- Deaf-Blind Intervener, ISD 917
- Line Therapist, KTL Behavior*
- ABA Therapist, Bloom Behavioral Solutions*
- Mental Health Practitioner, Family Innovation*
- Accounts Receivable and Billing Coordinator, Saint Paul Jewish Community Center
- Speech Language Pathologist, Fraser*
Graduate Programs
- AAS Sign Language Interpreting & Translating
- Certification in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Behavioral Sciences
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Entry-Level
- Special Education Assistant, Bethune Community School
- Assistant Director, Twin Cities Child Care Center
- Special Education Paraprofessional, Northpoint Elementary School
- Native English Teacher, Jeongsang Language School (South Korea)
- Assistant Infant Teacher, YMCA
- Bilingual Home Based Educator, La Casa de Esperanza, Inc.
- Education Assistant, Northeast Metro ISD
- Teacher, Northern Voices
- AmeriCorps Member, Grantsburg Elementary
- Educational Speech Pathologist, Northwest Regional Inter District Council
- Teaching Assistant, Northern Voices
Experienced
- Sign Language Interpreter, Central Public Schools*
- Lead Teacher, Primrose Schools*
- Itinerant Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teacher, Saint Croix River Education District*
- Itinerant Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teacher, Northeast Metro 916 ISD*
Graduate Programs
- MS Special Education
- MA Early Childhood Education
- MEd Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teaching