Bachelor’s in Speech Pathology and Audiology

The Bachelor’s in Speech Pathology and Audiology (SPAU) degree at UNCG is a pre-professional program for those preparing for graduate study in speech-language pathology or audiology. The major is designed to satisfy some requirements for the North Carolina license in speech-language pathology or audiology. However, no license is awarded until completion of the master’s degree in speech language pathology or the clinical doctorate in audiology (AuD). Instruction meets American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) standards.

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults. To become an SLP, you must complete a master’s degree, which includes academic and clinical coursework. To be eligible for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) and state licensure, you must graduate from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA).

Audiologists are health care professionals who identify, assess, and manage disorders of hearing. To become an audiologist, one must complete prerequisite courses and then apply to a Doctor of Audiology (AuD) program. This can be either a 3 year or 4 year term.

bachelor’s in Speech Pathology and Audiology Program Distinctions

Students in the Bachelor’s in Speech Pathology and Audiology Program at UNCG have opportunities to engage in research. This includes:

• Clinical experiences alongside graduate students and clinical educators.
• Leadership and service experiences through student-led pre professional organizations, including the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing (NBASLH) and NSSLHA.

The Bachelor’s in Speech Pathology and Audiology Student Experience

Students in the Speech Pathology and Audiology Program will gain critical professional skills and have opportunities to network with peers. This includes:

• Completing guided observation hours with speech-language pathologists or audiologists.
• Volunteer and engagement opportunities in the community with ASHA-certified SLPs.
• Participating in student organizations, such as the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing (NBASLH) Student Affiliate Chapter of UNC Greensboro, and Best Buddies.

After Graduating with a bachelor’s in Speech Pathology and Audiology

Upon completion of the degree, students will have the skills to:

• Identify the foundations of normal communication (speech, language, hearing).
• Explain the theories and processes involved in the identification and evaluation of communication disorders.
• Identify disorders of receptive and expressive written and oral language (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics).
• Identify disorders of speech production (articulation, voice, and fluency).
• Describe the cognitive and social aspects of communication.
• Relate issues of cultural diversity to communication and its disorders.
• Explain relationships between hearing and hearing disorders, and speech and language development and disorders.
• Analyze and measure hearing function.
• Describe habilitation and rehabilitation of individuals with hearing impairment.

Graduates may pursue graduate study in speech-language pathology, audiology, or, with additional training, pursue a speech-language pathology and audiology assistant certificate.

Apply to the Bachelor’s in Speech Pathology and Audiology Program

Student in the Bachelor’s in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology program have additional admission requirements. These are:

• SPAU students must apply and be accepted to the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Program to take 300+ level courses in the major.
• The application and all application materials must be submitted by May 15th for the subsequent fall semester; fall admission only.
• Completion and/or transfer of at least 55 semester hours is required to apply to the major.
• An overall grade point average of at least 3.0 is required to apply to the major.
• Submit official transcript(s) for all college credit hours completed by the May 15th deadline. To apply, an unofficial transcript with all UNCG credit hours earned is acceptable, however, students must still submit official transcripts for transfer credits earned (including high school college credits).  
• Visit the CSD website for the most current application instructions and program requirements.