The undergraduate program in speech, language, and hearing sciences (SLHS) introduces concepts basic to human communication, and provides opportunities for students to acquire an understanding of normal and disordered speech, language, and hearing processes. The curriculum for the undergraduate degree in SLHS has been designed to fulfill the prerequisite requirements for entrance into accredited graduate programs in speech-language pathology and audiology, but also provides a strong academic foundation for students with other professional goals.
The undergraduate degree in speech, language, and hearing sciences emphasizes knowledge and awareness of:
In addition, students completing the degree in speech, language, and hearing sciences are expected to acquire the ability and skills to:
Course code for this program is SLHS.
Students must complete the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences and the required courses listed below.
Required Courses and Semester Credit Hours
Majors must present a minimum of 35 credit hours of course work in the recommended sequence below.
Freshman and/or Sophomore Year
Junior Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
Senior Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
Consult the Four-Year Guarantee Requirements for information on eligibility. The concept of “adequate progress” as it is used here only refers to maintaining eligibility for the four-year guarantee; it is not a requirement for the major. To maintainadequate progress in speech, language and hearing sciences students should meet the following requirements:
The graduate curriculum in speech, language, and hearing sciences leads to either a master’s or a doctoral degree. The programs in speech-language pathology and audiology are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) and the Colorado State Department of Education.
Prospective students should read requirements for advanced degrees in the Graduate School section.
There are two areas of focus available at the MA level: 1) MA leading to professional certification in speech-language pathology by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensure for the Colorado State Department of Education and 2) research. Within departmental and ASHA guidelines, master’s students with a focus in speech-language pathology devise individualized programs of academic and clinical study that allow them to develop clinical specialities of their choosing. Clinical assignments are initiated in the department on-site Speech, Language, and Hearing Center; later, student input is obtained in making off-campus clinical assignments in educational and medical settings.
Students with an undergraduate degree in speech-language pathology and audiology can expect to complete the program in two calendar years. Those without such a background are required to make up undergraduate deficiencies, which normally require at least an additional 28 credit hours of courses in speech, language, and hearing sciences and related disciplines. Students must meet standards for both academic and clinical com-petence, as well as professional conduct. Full-time graduate study is required. Students not seeking clinical certification place major emphasis on speech, language, or hearing sciences under the guidance of their primary advisor and thesis research committee.
There are two areas of focus available at the doctoral level: 1) AuD leading to professional certification in audiology, and 2) PhD with emphasis on research. The PhD program is grounded in research. Supervisory, administrative, instructional, and research activities are provided to acquaint students with problems and concepts at a higher level of professional activity and responsibility.
Wide latitude prevails in planning individual PhD programs. It is expected that students have some professional experience before entering the program, and that they have specific academic or professional goals in mind. PhD candidates must take a four-course sequence in statistics and computer science and four core courses within Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (SLHS). Beyond that, student degree plans are individually prepared through the joint efforts of the student and an advisory committee.
The AuD program is a four-year post-baccalaureate program consisting of academic course work, clinical practicum experiences, capstone project, and advanced clinical rotations. Clinical assignments are initiated in the Boulder satellite of the University of Colorado Hospital Marion Downs Hearing Center; later student input is obtained in making off-campus clinical assignments. The program is designed so students complete all requisite clinical and academic experience for ASHA certification.
In addition, the department offers students the opportunity to pursue an integrated program of study leading to dual doctorate degrees in the field of audiology and speech, language, and hearing science. The PhD/AuD dual degree program trains students in clinical research and clinical practice in audiology. Students in the program gain training that will prepare them to become independent scholars, to teach in higher education, to conduct research, to become certified clinical audiologists, and to gain skills in leadership. The dual degree program allows students to pursue both their clinical training and their research training in a rigorous, intensive, and streamlined program. Students may apply to both programs simultaneously, or may apply to the PhD portion after having been accepted into the AuD portion or may apply to the AuD portion after having been accepted into the PhD portion.