Program Objectives
The Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology offers course work in the scientific study of human communication sciences and disorders. The undergraduate major (audiology and speech pathology) is preparatory to graduate work and to professional certification in some aspect of speech, language, and hearing disorders. The Masters of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology or Doctor of Audiology is required for professional certificates and employment positions.
For students planning a career in Audiology or Speech-Language Pathology, a special 3+1 curriculum is available, culminating in a joint Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. This 3+1 program provides the required courses for admission to graduate programs in either Audiology or Speech-Language Pathology.
As part of the 3+1 program, students complete general education and prerequisite courses offered in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences (UTK) in 3 years. In the fourth year, the undergraduate requirements for a degree in Audiology and Speech Pathology are completed through the Department of Audiology & Speech Pathology (UTHSC-Knoxville campus). In this model, Audiology & Speech Pathology majors complete 90 credit hours of general education, major requirements, and elective courses. Students then complete 30 hours of major requirements in their final year through UTHSC.
Information about the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology undergraduate major may be obtained from the departmental office, UT Conference Center Suite 119, and students are strongly encouraged to consult with the undergraduate advisor in the department as early as possible in their programs.
Admissions
To participate in the 3+1 program, students who have 60 credits, with a UT GPA of 3.0 or better, apply for conditional admission to the Department of Audiology & Speech Pathology, College of Health Professions at UTHSC. For transfer students, this would be completed after one semester at UT and a 3.0 GPA in UT coursework. Full admission will be granted for those students who have completed 90 hours (minimum of 30 hours at UT for transfer students) with a UT GPA of 3.0 or better and have completed the course, ASP 300 Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders, with a grade of B (3.0) or better. If admitted to the UTK/UTHSC joint degree program, the final year of the undergraduate program will be completed as an Audiology and Speech Pathology major. The admitted students complete major education requirements of 30 credit hours as a UTHSC student. Students in the program in Audiology & Speech Pathology at UTHSC remain in residence on the UTK campus. Tuition for this program is the same for both campuses. Transfer credits are not allowed for the final year of the program (UTHSC portion).
Specific Requirements
- Conditional admission is granted with a minimum cumulative UT GPA of 3.00 after completion of at least 60 credit hours. For transfer students, this would be completed after one semester at UT and a 3.0 GPA in UT coursework.
- Full admission is granted when students have completed 90 hours (minimum of 30 hours at UT for transfer students) with a UT GPA of 3.0 or better and have completed the course, ASP 300 Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders, with a grade of B (3.0) or better.
Applicants will submit their current transcript to their Undergraduate Advisor within the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology to verify that the criteria necessary for admission into the last year of the 3+1 B.S. in Audiology and Speech Pathology at UTHSC have been met. Applicants will be admitted or denied based on these criteria and notified via letter. A list of admitted applicants will be forwarded to the UTHSC Office of Admissions which will send additional instructions to the accepted applicants regarding establishing a student account and transferring to UTHSC for their final year.
Please Note: Admission to the major does not guarantee admission to the graduate program.
Technical Standards
Students who plan to pursue study at UTHSC must have or acquire certain essential skills, functions, and professional attitudes and behaviors. These requisite skills are described in the Technical Standards document noted in the bulletin description of the MS-SLP graduate program.
General Education Competencies
- Communication - Students must be able to communicate effectively in a style appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience.
- Mathematics - Students must be able to apply basic mathematical tools in the solution of real- world problems.
- Sciences - Students must be able to apply principles of the natural, behavioral and social sciences in the solution of problems encountered.
- Critical Thinking - Students must be able to demonstrate their ability to solve problems, construct and present cogent arguments in support of one’s views, and understand and evaluate arguments presented by others.
- Information Literacy - Students must be able to seek, access, critically evaluate and appropriately apply information.
- Technology - Students must be able to use technology in communicating, solving problems, and acquiring information in a professional manner.
General education competencies will be measured through tools and strategies such as student performance on oral presentations, written critiques of research papers, and papers written in capstone courses. Math competencies may be measured through tools such as comprehensive math examinations prior to graduation. Students will be apprised of specific strategies to be used to evaluate their mastery of the general education competencies during new student orientation.
