Speech and Hearing Sciences Degree Program
Student Resources
Scholarships
Current students within all SHS degree programs are invited by faculty to apply for several department scholarships. Funds are distributed through the WSU Financial Aid office.
WSU Tuition Information
Careers in Speech and Hearing Sciences
Audiologists
Audiologists specialize in prevention, identification, assessment, and rehabilitation of hearing disorders, including:
- Perform diagnostic evaluations of hearing and function of the hearing mechanisms
- Prescribe hearing aids
- Develop and implement hearing conservation programs for employees in their workplaces
- Use computer technology developed to assist those with severe communication disabilities
- Participate as part of the implant team for cochlear implants
- Provide aural rehabilitation for individuals learning to use hearing aids and cochlear implants
- Participate in research and development of products
- Teach and supervise future audiologists
WSU does not offer advanced education toward becoming a licensed clinical audiologist. The B.A. in Speech and Hearing Sciences is a foundation for those seeking advanced education and a degree in audiology.
Speech-Language Pathologists
Speech-language pathologists assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication and swallowing disorders in patients, including:
- Train with alternative/augmentative communication devices for those with limited ability to verbally communicate
- Provide aural rehabilitation for individuals who are hearing impaired
- Provide treatment for articulation errors
- Provide therapy to individuals with delayed language development
- Provide early intervention among preschoolers
- Work with children to improve language skills and academic performance
- Treat people who have experienced a stroke or brain trauma to regain language and speech functions
- Assist individuals who are experiencing swallowing difficulties
- Assist individuals in developing proper control of the vocal and respiratory systems for correct voice production
- Counsel individuals and families to better cope with speech and language disorders
- Help those who stutter to increase fluency
- Participate in clinical (applied) and/or basic research related to speech-language disorders and their effects
- Teach and supervise future speech-language pathologists
Career Opportunities
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects faster than average growth for speech-language pathologists and audiologists through 2022. Approximately 26,000 new jobs are anticipated for speech-language pathologists, an increase of 19 percent; and openings for audiologists are expected to grow by 34 percent or 4,300 new jobs.
Areas of employment include:
- Hospitals and rehabilitation centers
- Nursing care facilities and community clinics
- Colleges and universities
- Private practice offices
- State and local health departments
- State and federal government agencies
- Home health agencies (home care)
- Long-term facilities
- Adult day care centers
- Research laboratories and institutes
- Private industry
- Nonprofit clinics
- Public and private schools
National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association
The National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA) is the student association of the American Speech Language Hearing Association. The NSSLHA is a pre-professional association of students managed by students. The WSU chapter provides student support, engagement, and education among 80+ members from within the undergraduate and graduate programs. Annually, NSSLHA officers work with fellow students and faculty to guide initiatives in education, community outreach, and philanthropy based on input from all members of their local chapter. NSSLHA provides opportunities for students to support individuals with communication disorders and the organizations serving them by offering fundraising events, volunteer opportunities, and educational events. Student support and engagement in these areas provides an important link between academic learning and pre-professional exposure to the populations students aspire to serve.
The organization sponsors a series of activities to bring faculty and students together in informal gatherings, including an annual conference featuring regional experts in the field of speech and hearing sciences.