Speech-language pathology and audiology are concerned with evaluation, treatment, and research into human communication and its disorders.  

Speech-language pathologists treat such disorders as stuttering, delayed language development, aphasia, voice, swallowing, and articulation.

Audiologists specialize in prevention, identification, assessment, and rehabilitation of hearing disorders.   They may be involved in programs for hearing conservation.

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists are employed in diverse settings including public schools, hospitals/clinics, private practices, and nursing homes.

The pre-professional program at Louisiana Tech is designed to prepare a student for graduate work in speech-language pathology or audiology. The undergraduate preparation includes a broad educational experience in the liberal arts and sciences and a strong foundation in oral and written communication skills, in addition to basic course work in speech, language, and hearing. The undergraduate/pre-professional degree is the first degree that leads to the master’s degree for speech-language pathologists and a doctoral degree for audiologists. The master’s degree in speech-language pathology is considered to be the entry-level degree for most professional settings.    Beginning in 2012, a doctoral degree will be the entry-level degree to practice audiology.

The 123-semester hour program leads to the Bachelor of Arts and is designed to allow students to obtain their prerequisite knowledge for entry into a master’s program. The undergraduate curriculum has 31 semester hours of major course work that includes normal speech and language development, phonetics, speech science, anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanism, articulation disorders, child language disorders, diagnostic procedures, and introduction to audiology.

Undergraduates also obtain 25 clock hours of supervised clinical observation of diagnostic and treatment sessions with individuals who have a variety of speech, language, and hearing disorders. Supplemental courses in related areas, including psychology, special education, and family and child studies are available through other departments in the University.