Skip to content

Studies & Degrees in Speech and Hearing

Speech and hearing, also called speech, language and hearing sciences or communication sciences and disorders (CSD), is the study of how people speak, understand language and hear, and of what happens when one of these functions fails. It leads to two health professions. Speech-language pathologists, sometimes called speech therapists, assess and treat people who have speech, language, voice and fluency disorders, and also work with clients who have problems swallowing. Audiologists diagnose, manage and treat patients who have hearing, balance or related problems.

Students learn the anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing, how children acquire language, phonetics, acoustics and the main disorders of each age group. Most programmes combine classes with observation and supervised practice in a university clinic. Undergraduate programmes usually include courses in biological sciences, social and behavioural sciences, physical sciences and statistics.

Qualifications and levels

Most of the schools listed for this subject are in the United States, where the route into the two professions is long and clearly structured.

  • Bachelor's degree. A first degree in the field is the most common way into graduate study. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), there are more than 270 undergraduate CSD programmes in the United States. Examples are the B.A. in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences of the University of Colorado Boulder and the BS in Speech & Hearing Sciences of the University of Washington. A bachelor's degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist.
  • Minors and prerequisite programmes. SUNY Cortland lists a Minor in Speech and Hearing Science. Graduates of other subjects may have to complete prerequisite coursework before graduate study. The University of Washington offers a Certificate in Speech, Language, & Hearing Foundations for this purpose, and the University of Colorado Boulder has an online prerequisites programme.
  • Master's degree in speech-language pathology. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), speech-language pathologists typically need at least a master's degree, and these programmes usually take two years of study after the bachelor's degree. They include supervised clinical experience.
  • Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.). Audiologists need an Au.D., which typically takes four years to complete after a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. ASHA gives a range of three to four years of full-time study.
  • Research degrees. Departments such as those at Vanderbilt University, the University of Washington and the University of Colorado Boulder also offer a PhD for students who want a research or teaching career.

Accreditation and licences

In the United States, graduate programmes are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of ASHA. Vanderbilt University and Purdue University both state that their programmes hold this accreditation. The BLS notes that graduation from an accredited programme is required for certification and, often, for a state licence. All states require speech-language pathologists and audiologists to be licensed. ASHA awards the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) or Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP).

These are US rules. Students who plan to work in another country should check with the professional body or health authority of that country whether a foreign degree is accepted before they enrol.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists 13 active schools for speech and hearing: 11 in the United States, one in Australia and one in Ireland. The US schools include The Ohio State University in Columbus, Purdue University in West Lafayette, the University of Washington in Seattle, Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Temple University in Philadelphia, SUNY Cortland, the University of Maryland in College Park and the University of Colorado Boulder. Outside the United States the list includes Macquarie University in Australia and Leinster College in Dublin.

All of these schools teach in English, and clinical work depends on precise use of the language, so international applicants need a high level of English. When comparing programmes, check which degree levels the department offers, whether the graduate programmes are accredited, and whether a bachelor's degree in another subject is accepted for admission.

Careers

Speech-language pathologists work in schools, hospitals, residential care and private practice. Audiologists work in clinics, hospitals and physicians' offices, and some work for school districts. The BLS projects employment of speech-language pathologists in the United States to grow 17 percent from 2025 to 2035, and employment of audiologists to grow 11 percent over the same period. It links the demand for audiologists to an ageing population, because health problems are more common in older age groups.

Some universities also train speech-language pathology assistants; the University of Colorado Boulder has an online programme of this kind.

Frequently asked questions

Can I work as a speech-language pathologist with a bachelor's degree?

Not in the United States. According to the BLS, speech-language pathologists typically need at least a master's degree, and every state requires a licence.

How long does it take to become an audiologist?

In the United States, audiologists need a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree. It typically takes four years after a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.

Do I need a bachelor's degree in speech and hearing to enter a master's programme?

Not always. ASHA explains that each graduate programme decides whether applicants need a bachelor's degree in the field. Graduates of other subjects may have to complete prerequisite courses first.

What is the difference between speech-language pathology and audiology?

Speech-language pathology deals with speech, language, voice, fluency and swallowing disorders. Audiology deals with hearing and balance problems. Many departments teach both, but the professional degrees are separate.