Department of Speech Pathology

Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Xavier South Suite 510 - (504) 520-5087 - http://www.xula.edu/speechpathology

Speech pathology is the study of human communication - its normal development, its disorders, and strategies for prevention. The speech-language pathologist, by evaluating the speech and language of children and adults, determines whether communication problems exist and decides the best method of treatment. Audiology is the study of normal and defective hearing. The audiologist strives to prevent hearing loss, aids in diagnosing problems, and recommends habilitation and rehabilitation techniques that range from the use of hearing aids to lip reading and/or manual communication. The Speech Pathology Curriculum provides students a thorough preprofessional foundation in theoretical and practical knowledge of human communication and disorders. Students who successfully complete the program are awarded the Bachelor of Science degree and are prepared for graduate study in speech pathology or audiology and for a limited number of career opportunities in speech pathology or audiology. A Master’s degree and certification/licensure are required to practice as a speech-language pathologist and a doctorate degree and certification/licensure to practice as an audiologist. Service to the community and undergraduate research are two important components of each student’s academic experience in the Department.

Learning Outcomes

In addition to satisfying the goals of the Core Curriculum, this program is designed to:

1. provide adequate preparation for entry into a graduate program in speech-language pathology or audiology;
2. provide students with an experiential learning situation (observations and clinical practicum) to facilitate transference of their theoretical knowledge into the practical situation; and
3. instill values of professionalism and awareness of providing service to others.

The department houses the Xavier University Speech and Hearing Clinic, Xavier’s Chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and the Speech Lab. The Speech and Hearing Clinic provides both evaluations and treatment for all types of communication disorders to students, staff and local residents. The Speech Lab provides assistance for students and faculty who may have difficulty with oral communication skills and either self-refer or have been referred by a faculty member.

The Department offers SPTH 2340  (Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism) as part of the Expansive Core Curriculum.

For degree credit, Department majors must earn a “C” or better in all of their required major courses. Except in unusual circumstances, any student who has to repeat two or more major required courses because of a grade of “D” or “F” by the middle of their junior year will not be permitted to continue as a speech pathology major. All majors are required to pass a comprehensive examination. Majors may take the comprehensive examination no more than twice in an academic year. Majors must earn a grade of “B” or better in Articulation Disorders (SPTH 3920 ), Language Disorders (SPTH 3010 ) and Introduction to Clinic (SPTH 3760 ) in order to take Clinical Practicum (SPTH 4601P /SPTH 4602P ). All majors are expected to attend all departmental meetings.

Programs

• Speech Pathology, B.S.