BHS in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences

Degree Program Description

Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) includes the study of typical language, speech and hearing processes across the lifespan, as well as communication disorders that result from a variety of factors. The SLHS undergraduate major is the first step in preparing for careers in the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology. Speech-language pathologists evaluate the speech and language of children and adults to determine whether problems exist in such areas as voice, articulation, fluency, and receptive or expressive language. Speech-language pathologists develop and implement treatment plans to address these problems. Audiologists evaluate hearing, identify hearing loss, and participate in the rehabilitation of persons with decreased hearing abilities. The SLHS undergraduate curriculum fully prepares students for graduate study in either of these fields. The professions of speech-language pathology and audiology require master's or doctoral degrees. The SLHS undergraduate coursework provides students with a broad understanding of the scientific bases of speech, language, and hearing, the different types of communication disorders, and the types of diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilized in the field. Undergraduate students in the SLHS department at MU benefit from a low student-faculty ratio, practical clinical experience in our language preschool, our accent modification program, and our research labs led by outstanding faculty, and a well-established student organization.

Major Program Requirements

Students interested in declaring the BHS in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) must have completed 30 hours of college credit and have a 3.0 GPA. To declare the major, students should meet with an academic advisor for SLHS. If a student does not meet the GPA requirement, an application for admission to the program may be submitted to the SLHS department for review. Students should inquire with their advisor about the application process.

To earn a BHS in SLHS degree, students must complete the following degree requirements, as well as university and general education requirements. A grade of C- or higher is required in Program and Major Core requirements.

Program Requirements
COMMUN 1200Public Speaking3
ENGLSH 1000Writing and Rhetoric3
or ENGLSH 1000H Honors Writing and Rhetoric
PSYCH 1000General Psychology3
PSYCH 2410Developmental Psychology3
STAT 1200Introductory Statistical Reasoning3
or STAT 1300 Elementary Statistics
or STAT 2500 Introduction to Probability and Statistics I
or ESC_PS 4170 Introduction to Applied Statistics
Biological Science Requirement
Select one of the following:
General Principles and Concepts of Biology
General Biology Laboratory
Introduction to Biological Systems with Laboratory
Microbiology for Nursing and Health Professions
Elements of Physiology
Human Anatomy Lecture
Human Anatomy Laboratory
Physical Science Requirement
Select one of the following:
Atoms and Molecules with Lab
College Chemistry I
College Chemistry I Laboratory
Concepts in Physics
College Physics I
**At least one lab associated with above courses in biology, chemistry, or physics is required (e.g., BIO_SC 1020 is required with BIO_SC 1010 if no lab is taken with physical science course options). Note that minimum grade must be earned in both associated components to meet requirements.
Major Core Requirements
SLHS 1060Human Language3
SLHS 2120Survey of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences3
SLHS 3010American Phonetics3
SLHS 3020Normal Language Development3
SLHS 3210Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism3
SLHS 3220Speech Acoustics3
SLHS 3230Hearing Science3
SLHS 4020WLanguage Disorders in Children - Writing Intensive3
SLHS 4030Language Disorders of Adults2
SLHS 4100Introduction to Interprofessional Practice1
SLHS 4210Stuttering, Cluttering, and Fluency Disorders2
SLHS 4220Voice Disorders1
SLHS 4320Introduction to Speech Sound Disorders3
SLHS 4330Introduction to Audiology3
SLHS 4340Aural Rehabilitation3
SLHS 4430Neurophysiology for Speech, Language, and Hearing3
SLHS 4900Clinical Observation in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences2

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Semester Plan

Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available. 

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
SLHS 10001CHEM 11004
BIO_SC 10103COMMUN 12003
ENGLSH 10003MATH 10503
PSYCH 10003HIST 1100, 1200, or POL_SC 11003
Humanities 3Elective3
Elective3 
 16 16
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
SLHS 10603SLHS 21203
SLHS 32103SLHS 28003
PSYCH 24103STAT 12003
Humanities3Elective3
Elective3Elective3
 15 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
SLHS 30103SLHS 32303
SLHS 30203SLHS 4020W3
SLHS 44303SLHS 43203
SLHS 49502SLHS 38903
Elective3SLHS 49502
Elective2Elective3
 16 17
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
SLHS 32203SLHS 41001
SLHS 43303SLHS 42102
SLHS 40302SLHS 42201
SLHS 44203SLHS 43403
SLHS 49451-3SLHS 49002
Elective3SLHS 49451-3
 15-17 10-12
Total Credits: 120-124

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Degree Audit

The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree. 

MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.

Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.

Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.

For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.

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Major and Career Exploration

The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.

  • If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.

  • If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major

  • If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.

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