What is Speech Pathology and Audiology?
The field of speech pathology and audiology is concerned with disorders
of speech, language and hearing. A speech language pathologist is
trained to diagnose and treat language and speech disorders. An
audiologist is trained to provide diagnostic hearing assessment
and aural habilitation and rehabilitation services.
The Department offers both the Bachelor of Science and the Master of Science degrees. However, the two degrees are integrated into one sequence of training. The Bachelor's degree provides background in theoretical and clinical areas necessary or graduate study. The Master's degree provides professional training for careers in either speech-language pathology or audiology. Students with Bachelor's degrees in speech-language pathology and audiology from other institutions may enter the program as graduate students, although some adjustments in their programs may be necessary.
Employment in speech pathology or audiology requires both a Master's degree and a credential or license. Completion of the Master's degree provides the training necessary for students to qualify for the California State License as a speech pathologist or audiologist, the California state credential for working as a speech pathologist in the public schools, and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's Certificate of Clinical Competence in speech pathology or audiology. (Other experience and exams are also required before the license and Certificate are granted; these will be described below under "Additional information.") the Department also offers the Special Class Authorization, an extension of the public school credential required to teach a classroom of language-disordered children.
