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
Recommendations from the Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Science
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
- 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.
See the catalog for all courses in the major.
Remember, when using Transferology to plan courses for the major, look for courses that transfer as direct equivalents to UMTC major courses. In Transferology, a direct equivalent shows as the UMTC course number. For example, COMM 1101 is a direct equivalent, while COMM 1T*** is not.
In CLA, each department has a process to declare the major. This is a necessary step for the major to be added to the student record. New transfer students do not declare their majors until after they attend orientation.
To declare the Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences major, students meet with the departmental advisor during a scheduled appointment.
Specific courses are not required before declaring the major. However, please consider taking a course to prepare, suggested above.
We recommend that you meet with the Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences departmental advisor during your first semester in CLA to discuss your interests and the declaration process. Meeting with the departmental advisor allows students to learn about opportunities within the major and department, as well as plan coursework effectively and efficiently.
Some Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences major courses have prerequisites, and some courses are only offered in specific semesters. Careful planning with the departmental advisor is essential.
Lower division coursework – At most, two introductory courses at the lower division (1xxx level) can be counted in the Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences major.
Major residency requirement – At least half of the upper division (3-5xxx level) credits in the SLHS major must be taken at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. This means at least 15 upper division major credits must be taken at UMTC.
The Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences major requirements are very structured, so attentive planning is very important. There are four major courses with prerequisites of one or more specific major courses. Students do not have to be declared in the SLHS major before taking upper division courses.
Be sure to discuss transfer courses with the departmental advisor in advance of transferring. The curriculum of majors similar to Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences can be different from one institution to another. For example, a course from the major at one school may transfer, but not actually count in the SLHS major requirements in CLA at UMTC. Note that our SLHS program is a BA degree, while at some other institutions it may be a BS degree.
Transfer courses are evaluated by the department for use towards the major. Check Transferology to see if an evaluation already exists for the courses you would like to use toward the major. If you find a course that has not been evaluated you can submit the course for review. A copy of the course syllabus is required.
The Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences major brings together science, language, and communication. As part of a BA degree, students also complete the CLA second language requirement. Students may select a language related to career aspirations with SLHS.
Depending on your prior knowledge with languages, making progress with the CLA second language requirement in advance of transferring can create more room in your class schedule for major courses later. Be sure to talk with a CLA transfer advisor with questions about completing the CLA second language requirement.
This SLHS departmental website includes an undergraduate handbook. It includes a vast amount of information for prospective students. Be sure to see the sections with course descriptions, tentative course planning, and graduate school information.
In regards to time to complete the SLHS major, here are some examples:
- If a student begins in a fall semester, it can be possible to complete the major in four semesters; however, the six semester plan is strongly recommended for academic success reasons.
- For those entering a spring semester, it is reasonable to set a five semester major completion plan.
Keep in mind, this refers to SLHS major course planning only, and there are other components of the BA degree to also consider.
Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences is an ideal field of study for students interested in physical, biological, and social sciences. The most pertinent physical science to the SLHS career field is physics. The major is counted among majors with a foundation in math or science that can help build skills for those interested in STEM related career fields.
The SLHS program and faculty in CLA are highly recognized across the country. Students in the major have multiple opportunities for hands-on, relevant experience.
Students often select the SLHS major with specific career goals in mind. Browse the “Explore” portion of this career webpage, which refers to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the certificate granting body for Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) and audiology (AuD). It can be useful for students to already begin looking into ASHA information online.
Some students seek to include another major or minor alongside Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences. The most common double majors are Developmental Psychology and Spanish Studies. They are also common minors. Another common minor is Integrative Neuroscience offered through CBS.
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