Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences

There are many great minor degree programs that fit well with the SHS major depending on your interest. These include psychology, sociology, interdisciplinary studies, health & wellness, communications, gerontology, music, and linguistics, among others.

• The SHS minor is a great option if you are interested in speech and hearing, but would like to major in a different area. There are only 3 required courses and then 9 additional credits to meet the minor requirement. Visit the SHS minor webpage for more information on the program.
• It is possible to take SHS courses if you are not a SHS major or minor, but will require permission from the course instructor.

Both courses provide an introduction to the clinical setting including documentation procedures and guidelines; organizations and statutes that govern professional service; instrumentation, procedures, and approaches to remediation. SHS 480 provides opportunities to observe therapy through in-class video, while SHS 481 provides opportunity for observation of live therapy and through in-class video, and participation as a clinical aide. An application process and special permission is required from the instructor may be required for entry into SHS 481.

Students can arrange shadowing experiences by contacting speech-language pathology or audiology practices in the community. Most clinicians are happy to have students shadow them. Shadowing experiences are not arranged by SHS faculty; however observation is built into the SHS 480 and SHS 481 courses.

• Visit the "Research" tab on the SPA Department’s main webpage to learn more about the research being conducted in the SPA Department. Contact the faculty to see if they are accepting research volunteers or assistants in their research labs. The same can be done for other departments like psychology.
• You can also visit the University of South Alabama Office of Undergraduate Research webpage for details about participating in research across campus.

• Maintain a strong GPA and earn a competitive Graduate Readiness Exam (GRE) score. These will vary based on the program you are applying to. Most programs list preferred minimum GPAs and GRE scores on their websites. Visit the USA’s SLP and AUD graduate admissions FAQ page which has more information about graduate program applications.
• Engage in activities that foster leadership skills and provide experiences that allow you to engage with diverse groups of people.
• The American Speech Language Hearing Association also offers some great tips.

• Each graduate program develops admissions criteria of their own. You can access that information, typically on their websites, and consider if you are a good fit for that program based on these expected qualifications.
• Many graduate programs look for qualities that are similar to what employers are seeking: teamwork/collaboration, writing, and critical thinking skills.
• Other skills that good graduate school candidates have include professionalism and time management skills.

• The National Student Speech Language Hearing Association website has some great tips. Search “GRE” in the website search engine.
• There are also resources offered by the USA:
  • Center for Continuing Education and Conference Services offers courses for test preparation.
  • Pre-Health Advising offers tips and links to GRE preparation.

Students often take the GRE during the summer before their senior year or during the fall semester of their senior year. The benefit of taking the GRE in the summer is that it allows students time to take the exam again if they would like to improve their score.

Students should request letters of recommendation about one semester before their graduate applications are due. For January due dates, it is best to request letters of recommendations early in the fall semester of the senior year. Many graduate programs, including South's, require 3 letters with at least 2 from academic faculty. Be sure to check the requirements of the schools you are applying to. The schools may vary on how many letters are required, the due dates, and how the letter needs to be submitted.

• SLP and AUD assistants visit ASHA Assistants Program
• Activity Coordinator in Nursing Home
• Rehabilitation Aide
• English as a Second Language Teacher
• Paraprofessional
• Fundraising/Volunteer Coordinator for Nonprofit Organizations
  • Special Olympics, Autism Society, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Multiple Sclerosis Society, etc.
• Developing, Marketing, and Selling Therapy Materials in the Corporate Environment
  • Super Duper Publications, Linguisystems, hearing aid manufacturers, Tobii DynaVox, Pearson Assessments, etc.
• Occupational Hearing Conservationist
  • Requires a 20 hour course and a passing exam score/li>
• Medical Sales and Publications
• Research Assistant in the University Setting
• Hospital Unit Coordinator/Healthcare Administration

• The American Speech Language Hearing Association has great information regarding SLP and AUD assistants:
  • ASHA Assistants Program
  • Apply for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants Certification
• Licensure will vary depending on the state you live in. Visit ABESPA for information about certification in Alabama.

Please see the FAQs for answers to General Admission Questions.