Communication Sciences and Disorders, BS

Program Description

PROFESSION
Speech-language pathologists assess and provide clinical services to people who cannot communicate clearly. These individuals may have problems with articulation, stuttering, voice, understanding and producing language, attention, memory and/or problem solving. Speech-language pathologists help clients develop, or recover functional communication skills so they can fulfill their rolls in society. They counsel individuals and their families concerning communication disorders and help them learn to cope with the stress and misunderstanding that often accompany these disorders. Additionally, they may work with people who have oral motor problems causing eating and swallowing difficulties. Audiologists assess and provide clinical services to people who have hearing or balance problems. Assessments include measuring the loudness at which a person begins to hear sounds, the person's ability to distinguish between sounds, and nature and extent of hearing loss. Audiologists interpret these results and may coordinate them with medical, educational and psychological information to make a diagnosis and determine a course of treatment.  The Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology program begins in the autumn quarter and is based on the completion of two years of prerequisite course work at any accredited college or university. The emphasis for the next two years is on professional courses and practical experience. Supervised clinical practicum is an integral part of the student's education. Completion of specific theoretical courses precedes placement for practicum.

REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATION
In most states, including California, graduate study is required before entering the profession. After satisfactorily completing the Master of Science degree, the graduate is eligible to take the qualifying examination for licensure in the state of California and for the Certificate of Clinical Competence. After completing a one-year clinical fellowship, the graduate is eligible to apply for California licensure and for certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The program is approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to prepare students for the California Clinical Rehabilitative Services Credential in Language, Speech, and Hearing.

Program Website | Catalog

Program Length

2 years

Possible Careers

Preparation for a graduate program in Speech Language or Audiology; Speech-Language Pathology Assistant.

Application Deadlines

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for admission, the applicant must have have the following:

• Math (2 years advanced high school-level with “C” grade) or Intermediate Algebra without academic credit.
• College algebra with academic credit.

Prerequisites

- 20 quarter or 14 semester units of humanities 
- 12-16 quarter units or 8-11 semester units of Natural Sciences 
- One biological science - required (examples: Human Anatomy & Physiology, General Biology, Microbiology, or Life Science)
- One physical science - Physics or Chemistry, required
- Math (2 years advanced high school-level with “C” grade) or Intermediate Algebra w/o academic credit. College algebra w/ academic credit.
- Statistics, required
- Human development or developmental psychology
- English composition (complete sequence)
- Speech or interpersonal communication
- Personal health or nutrition
- Two physical activity courses
- If attending a Seventh-day Adventist college, four quarter or three semester units of religion per year is required

Discipline Accrediting Agency

Loma Linda University is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501; telephone (510) 748-9001; website: www.wascweb.org.

Integrating faith and health

Loma Linda University educates and encourages a balanced life by living our values of humility, compassion, justice, integrity, excellence, freedom and self- control. You will be surrounded by faculty who are committed to healthcare innovation and research while engaging your spirituality.

Expected Cost of Attendance

Academic Year 2019-2020

Notes

Expected costs for the 2019-2020 academic year are based on full time attendance. From year to year, increases are anticipated consistent with inflation in the professional education sector.

The cost of attendance varies from year to year. Please contact the department for up-to-date costs.