The Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology (SPA) is committed to preparing students for careers in speech-language pathology and/or audiology. These professions are concerned with evaluation, treatment, and research related to human communication and its disorders. Speech-language pathologists treat stuttering, language disorders, and voice and articulation problems in children and adults. Audiologists specialize in the prevention, identification, assessment, and rehabilitation of hearing disorders in children and adults. Students are guided by instructors committed to quality education and student success. Academic advising of SPA majors is conducted by regular SPA faculty. Enrollment in classes is regulated so that all SPA majors have access to required courses. Historically, around 75% of SPA seniors graduate with honors, and over 85% go on to graduate school in either speech pathology or audiology. To promote student interest in the professions, a chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association is active on campus. Most undergraduates join the organization and take part in activities, which are usually service-oriented and benefit children and adults with speech, language, and hearing disorders. Student participation in research is encouraged through an elective course that offers academic credit for research activities. In addition, students complete a capstone course during their senior year that focuses on research, writing, and oral presentation. Majors in the College of Human Resources and Education Audiology D Counseling M Counseling Psychology D Curriculum & Instruction D Educational Leadership M,D Educational Psychology M Elementary Education M* Reading M Rehabilitation Counseling M Secondary Education M* Special Education M,D Speech Pathology M Speech Pathology & Audiology B Technology Education M B = Bachelor's; M = Master's; D = Doctorate *Bachelor's in content area is awarded as part of five-year teacher education program culminating in a master's degree. For more information, contact Dr. Lynn Cartwright, department chair, at 304-293-4241, or Lynn.Cartwright@mail.wvu.edu Or visit the Web site at: www.wvu.edu/~speechpa

The WVU College of Human Resources and Education
In addition to the undergraduate programs offered in the College of Human Resources and Education, a wealth of opportunities in graduate study, including master’s degrees in speech-language pathology and a clinical doctoral degree in audiology, are available. Other master’s-level programs include teacher education, counseling, educational leadership studies, educational psychology, elementary education, reading, rehabilitation counseling, secondary education, special education, speech pathology, and technology education.

Admission
Once a student has been admitted to the University, he or she may enroll in the Pre-Speech Pathology and Audiology Program (SPA). During the sophomore year, Pre-SPA students apply for admission to the degree program. Applicants must meet a variety of General Education Curriculum (GEC) requirements, and admission is competitive. The 45 students with the highest GPA whohave completed all program requirements are admitted. Any student wishing to transfer into the Pre-SPA Program should contact the transfer advisor in the department and must meet the same prerequisites as Pre-SPA students.

Curriculum
The pre-professional bachelor of science degree program is designed to prepare students for graduate study. The four-year curriculum emphasizes education in basic speech and hearing sciences; anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing system; normal development and behavior in speech, hearing, and language; awareness of cultural diversity and its relationship to communication; and an introduction to communicative disorders. Background courses in linguistics, psychology, college algebra, statistics, and biological and physical science also are required.

Accreditation and Certification
The graduate degree programs in speech-language pathology and audiology at WVU are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, are recognized as Programs of Excellence, and recently were ranked twice in the top 25% of all graduate programs in the United States by U.S. News & World Report. Master’s degree and clinical doctoral degree requirements ensure that all graduates meet the academic and clinical education standards for the Certificate of Clinical Competence awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and for professional licenses and teacher licensure in West Virginia.

Career Opportunities
Speech-language pathologists and audiologists provide services to persons with communication disorders. Since the demand for certified professionals remains strong, job prospects are very good.

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists work in a variety of settings and with a broad range of clients. They may work in public or private clinics or within a school or medical setting. They may be employed by a large institution or be self-employed. Their clients range from very young children to geriatric patients, and they may have a broad range of disorders or very specialized impairments. Whatever the setting in which they choose to practice, practitioners find speech-language pathology and audiology exciting and rewarding fields.

The undergraduate Speech Pathology and Audiology Program is the first step in preparing students to become practicing speech-language pathologists or audiologists. Students who wish to pursue professional employment in the field need to pursue a master’s degree in speech-language pathology or a clinical doctoral degree in audiology. Students who wish to remain at WVU as graduate students must apply for acceptance into the appropriate graduate program. Selection is competitive.

Graduate School Opportunities
The master of science program in speech-language pathology and the clinical doctoral program in audiology provide intensive classroom, clinical, and research experiences to prepare graduates for professional careers in speech-language pathology or audiology. The courses of study provide aspiring professionals with a firm understanding of the normal processes of speech, language, and hearing; the competence to diagnose and treat the full range of communicative disorders in all age groups; and the opportunity for supervised practice in a wide variety of clinical settings, including schools, hospitals, clinics, special treatment centers, and private practices.

Salary Range
According to a 2005 survey by the American Speech-Language- Hearing Association, the median annual salary was $46,000 for certified speech-language pathologists, and $46,500 for audiologists. Entry-level salaries ranged from $37,000 to $39,000.