General Admissions
Phone: 409-880-8888
Fax: 409-880-2265
Email: william.harn@lamar.edu

Office of Graduate Studies
Phone: 409-880-8229
Fax: 409-880-1723

Graduate Admissions
Phone: 409-880-8356
Fax: 409-880-8414
Email: gradmissions@lamar.edu

Requirements
All undergraduate majors in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences must complete the basic core curriculum requirements of Lamar University as their academic foundation coursework. Combining group and individual advising, our faculty advisors provide direction to students concerning departmental requirements within the core curriculum according to available courses within the department. All transfer, freshmen level and senior level students must see a faculty advisor within the Department. In addition, we strongly encourage all students to seek academic advisement from our faculty for efficient matriculation through the undergraduate program. Advisors are available during the university posted time for each semester or by appointment. The Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences offers graduate programs in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. These programs include Masters of Science and Doctor of Audiology programs. After admission into these programs, students must seek advising within that division each semester to determine their course work. Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders

The bachelor’s degree program in Communication Disorders, which prepares students for graduate specialization in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, requires each student to complete a mandatory departmental core of seven courses. In addition, each student will complete five advanced classes for the student’s specific career interests for a total of 36 hours. Required classes for the departmental core curriculum include SPHS 1374, 1375, 2371, 2372, 2373, 2374, 2376, 3301, 3302, 3304 and five of the following: SPHS 3301, 3304, 3306, 4301, 4302, 4303, 4304, 4306, 4307, 4326, 4327, 4350*.

A Special Note: DSDE 1, American Sign Language I, is taken by all Communication Disorders majors for the communication requirement of the University core curriculum.

*SPHS 4350 may be taken with faculty advisor and department chair approval.

Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.)
Our Au.D. program is designed to prepare professionals to become skilled in a wide variety of diagnostic, rehabilitative, habilitative and related areas of audiology.

The Doctor of Audiology degree is a four-year post baccalaureate program that includes three years of course work and clinical experiences plus a one-year, full-time externship placement. Graduates of the program will be eligible for board certification in the field of audiology and for state licensure in audiology.

Entry Requirements for Au.D.

• An undergraduate degree in communication disorders or related field
• GPA of 3.0 or above
• Competitive GRE score
• Three letters of recommendation
• A written essay on career goals
• Personal admissions interview

While the Audiology faculty considers each of these requirements, a final decision is made based on the entire application.

Au.D. degree requirements:

• A minimum of 86 semester credits of didactic coursework and 66 semester credits of clinical practicum and externship. The students must pass a comprehensive examination and complete the doctoral project.
• Research Project: Each student will complete an in-depth project as part of the requirement for the degree. This project could be an extensive study of clinical cases or a research project. Projects will be presented to Speech and Hearing Sciences faculty in written and oral form for evaluations.
• Fourth year externship: During the fourth year of the Au.D. program, students are required to complete a 12-month, full-time externship. This externship placement can be accomplished anywhere in the United States with faculty approval.

Curriculum:

Clinical Practicum:
A variety of practical opportunities are available at the Speech and Hearing Center on campus and currently in 23 off-campus sites throughout Beaumont; Houston; San Antonio; Lake Charles, LA.; Shreveport, La.; and Biloxi, Miss. These outstanding off-campus clinical sites include hospitals, schools and private practice settings.

In- House Clinical Practicum:

• Hearing Evaluation: Diagnostic testing includes pure-tone and speech audiometry, acoustic immittance measures and pediatric testing with VRA.
• Hearing Aid Clinic: The clinic focuses on the selection, verification and orientation of amplification and assistive listening devices to increase the communication function of each individual.
• Deaf Co-Op: Conducted in public school settings, which allow the students to learn hearing aid troubleshooting as well as assistive listening device selection and maintenance.
• Electrophysiology Clinic: Diagnostic testing using OAE, ABR and SSEP are used in the differential evaluation of hearing disorders.
• Vestibular/Balance Clinic: Assessment includes VENG, EENG and vestibular rehabilitation therapy.
• Industrial Hearing Conservation: This clinic includes monitoring hearing in the industrial setting and providing sound measurement and hearing conservation services.
• Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) Clinic: This clinic provides full diagnostic evaluation of auditory processing problems along with counseling of family members and school personnel.
• Aural Rehabilitation: Group and individual therapy is provided to enhance listening, speechreading and communication abilities.

M.S. Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Lamar University

Students who do not have an undergraduate degree in speech and hearing sciences must complete a sequence of leveling courses before applying for admission into the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology degree program. You may apply for admission as a ‘Pre-Graduate’ to take these courses.

Leveling courses

SPHS 1372 Phonetics
SPHS 1375 Language Acquisition
SPHS 2373 Speech Anatomy
SPHS 2374 Speech Science
SPHS 3301 Language & Phonological Disorders
SPHS 3302 Audiology
SPHS 4304 Neurology
SPHS 4327 Aural Rehabilitation

The Master of Science degree program in Speech-Language Pathology at Lamar University consists of 10 academic courses and a sequence of clinical practicum experiences. Students enroll in SPHS 5309 (Advanced Clinical Practicum) in each semester of the program. During the first year of graduate studies, clinical practicum experiences are obtained within the Lamar University Speech and Hearing Clinic. During the second year, students are placed in externship assignments at public schools and medical sites.

Graduate courses in Speech-Language Pathology

5301 Aphasia and Neurogenic Disorders
Theory and treatment for organic speech disorders of neurologic origin.
5302 Stuttering
Nature, evaluation and treatment of fluency disorders.
5304 Language Disorders of School-age Children
Assessment and intervention procedures for pre-adolescents with language disorders.
5306 Language Disorders of Preschool Children
Assessment and intervention procedures for preschool and school age children with language disorders.
5307 Articulation and Phonological Disorders
Nature, evaluation and treatment of articulation disorders.
5308 Neuropathologies II
The diagnosis and treatment of dysarthria and apraxia.
5309 Advanced Clinical Practicum
Advanced classroom practicum, diagnostics and therapy. May be repeated and must be taken each semester.
5321 Research in Communication Disorders
Research design, data analysis, and report writing pertinent to basic science and behaviors in communication disorders.
5350 Communication Management with Severe Disabilities
Assessment and intervention procedures for individuals with severe disabilities, with special emphasis on augmentative and alternative communication.
5351 Dysphagia
Evaluation and treatment of swallowing disorders.
5390 Thesis
Prerequisite: Approval of Graduate Advisor.
5391 Thesis
Prerequisite: Approval of Graduate Advisor. Must complete both 5390 and 5391 for required 6 credits.
5403 Voice Disorders and Cleft Palate
Nature, etiology and treatment of disordered phonation and resonance imbalance secondary to laryngeal malfunction and craniofacial anomaly.

Course sequence

Year 1

Fall - SPHS 5304, SPHS 5306, SPHS 5307, SPHS 5309*

Spring - SPHS 5301, SPHS 5302, SPHS 5308, SPHS 5309*

Summer - SPHS 5309*

Year 2

Fall - SPHS 5321, SPHS 5351, SPHS 5309*

Spring - SPHS 5403, SPHS 5350, SPHS 5309*

Summer - SPHS 5309*

* externship

For further information, contact:
William Harn, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Professor & Chairperson
Dept. of Speech and Hearing Sciences
Lamar University
P.O. Box 10076
Beaumont, TX 77710

phone: 409-880-7655
email: william.harn@lamar.edu