Pre-Professional Coursework

PREPARATORY PROGRAM OF STUDY REQUIRED BY THE AMERICAN SPEECH-LANGUAGE-HEARING ASSOCIATION (ASHA) LEADING TO CERTIFICATION WITH A MASTER'S DEGREE

Standard III-A: The applicant must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of biological sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and the social/behavioral sciences. Implementation: The applicant must have transcript credit (which could include course work, advanced placement, CLEP, or examination of equivalency) for each of the following areas: biological sciences, physical sciences, social/behavioral sciences, and mathematics. Appropriate course work may include human anatomy and physiology, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, genetics, physics, inorganic and organic chemistry, psychology, sociology, anthropology, and non-remedial mathematics. The intent of this standard is to require students to have a broad liberal arts and science background.

Courses specifically related to communication sciences and disorders (CSD) may not be applied for certification purposes in this category. 

In addition to transcript credit, applicants may be required by their graduate program to provide further evidence of meeting this requirement. In most cases, these categories are covered in undergraduate course work.

I. Biological Sciences (a minimum of two semester hours required)
Possible Courses: human anatomy and physiology, any biology course (no lab required), neuroanatomy, neurophysiology
Unacceptable Courses: anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing system

II. Physical Sciences (a minimum of two semester hours required)
Possible Courses: physics, chemistry, earth science, astronomy
Unacceptable Courses: speech science

III. Social/Behavioral Sciences (a minimum of two semester hours required)
Possible Courses: psychology, sociology, anthropology
Unacceptable Courses: normal language acquisition, introduction to communication disorders

IV. Mathematics
Possible Courses: statistics covering ANOVA with a grade of B- or better
Unacceptable Courses: remedial math

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Although there are technically no other ASHA-mandated prerequisites for graduate programs, some programs consider the coursework in Standard III-B to be undergraduate prerequisite coursework. 

Standard III-B:The applicant must demonstrate knowledge of basic human communication and swallowing processes, including their biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural bases. This standard emphasizes the basic human communication processes. The applicant must demonstrate the ability to integrate information pertaining to normal and abnormal human development across the life span, including basic communication processes and the impact of cultural and linguistic diversity on communication. Similar knowledge must also be obtained in swallowing processes and new emerging areas of practice. Program documentation may include transcript credit and information obtained by the applicant through clinical experiences, independent studies, and research projects.

Students who have not completed these requirements can apply and will be considered under full review. However, it is strongly recommended that they attempt to complete some of these classes either online or through some other mechanism prior to beginning graduate study.

The Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences at UNC-Chapel Hill offers five undergraduate courses that meet Standard III guidelines; however, courses from any accredited university will be accepted by UNC. The DSHS course offerings are specified below:

I. Biological and Neurological Bases Ex at UNC-CH: SPHS 570 Anatomy & Physiology Speech/Hearing
Possible Courses: anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing
Unacceptable Courses: general human anatomy

II. Acoustic Bases Ex at UNC-CH: SPHS 540 Speech Science
A speech science course a is a requirement in the DSHS Masters’ curriculum
Possible Courses: speech science 

III. Psychological/Developmental Bases 
A course in Language Acquisition is strongly recommended.
Possible Courses: normal language acquisition, child development
Unacceptable Courses: introduction to communication disorders

IV. Linguistic/Cultural Bases Ex at UNC-CH: SPHS 530 Intro to Phonetics 
Possible Courses: introduction to phonetics

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In addition to the courses above, The Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences also requires the following preparatory coursework: 

Audiology (ex at UNC-CH: SPHS 582 Intro to Audiology)
Possible Courses: introduction to audiology

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A full listing of courses offered at UNC-Chapel Hill may be found at the following website: 
http://www.unc.edu/clsched/

The following courses are offered during the fall semester:
-Introduction to Phonetics
-Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing
Introduction to Audiology

The following courses are offered during the spring semester:
-Speech Science
-Introduction to Audiology
-Introduction to Speech Language Pathology and Audiology
- Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing

UNC does not offer III-B requirements during the Summer terms.