Speech/Language/Hearing Sciences Department
Murray Commons (218) 477-2417
Chair: Mary Drake
Faculty and Clinical Staff: Richard Adler, Bruce Hanson, Joni Mehrhoff, Nancy Paul, MariBeth Plankers, Elaine Pyle, Rachel Stotts, Vicki Riedinger, Kristi Vossler

The academic programs offered in speech, language, and hearing at Minnesota State University Moorhead are designed for students who are interested in the normal and disordered processes of human communication. A major in this area is part of the preparation for clinical, teaching, research or service careers in speech-language pathology, audiology, and communication science. The major may assist for those who will pursue careers in hearing conservation, education of the deaf or hard of hearing and related areas.

To practice as a speech-language pathologist the master’s degree is a nationwide requirement. A professional doctorate is required to practice as an audiologist. The title of the undergraduate major, Speech/Language/Hearing Sciences, suggests that it is a pre-professional degree designed to qualify students for admission to professional study at the graduate level at this or other universities.

The department has established clinical experience eligibility requirements. All students must meet these requirements before they provide assessment or treatment to individuals with communication disorders. The requirements are as follow:

• C- grade or better in all completed SLHS courses,
• a cumulative grade point average of 3.25,
• no outstanding grades of incomplete,
• supervised clinical observations
• completed speech and hearing screening

If a student does not meet the stated requirements they may initiate an appeal through the department’s clinic coordinator.

Pre-audiology
Although the undergraduate program at other universities is usually the same for future speech-language pathologists and audiologists, the Speech/Language/Hearing Sciences Department at Minnesota State University Moorhead offers a pre-audiology concentration. The purpose of the pre-audiology concentration is to allow students interested in a career in audiology to follow a program of studies better tailored to their interest.

The graduate (M.S.) major is the professional degree. Its title, Speech-Language Pathology, suggests that it is the clinical degree in this field. Students completing the graduate program are qualified for clinical positions in communication disorders throughout the nation. Minnesota State University Moorhead’s program is accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Council on Academic Accreditation.

Admission to any graduate program at Minnesota State University Moorhead is limited to those who qualify by virtue of their undergraduate grade point average, Graduate Records Examination score, and recommendations. Additional details about graduate study may be found in the Graduate Bulletin.

Students who plan to seek clinical positions in schools should complete any additional requirements established by the credentialing authority in the states where they would seek employment.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Provide evidence of acquisition of fundamental scientific information describing the bases, nature, development and use of speech, language and hearing and total communication processes.
• Provide evidence of ability to synthesize and evaluate specialized information describing the nature, etiology, assessment and management of speech, language, and hearing disorders, adjusted for client characteristics, at student's level of experience, i.e. "Entry".
• Provide evidence of interpersonal and professional ethics and behavior.
• Provide evidence of writing ability; both clinical and academic.
• Provide evident of oral presentation skills.
• Provide evidence of foundation skills necessary to conduct, convey, (evaluate) research findings.
• Provide evidence of students' perception of program competency for fundamental professional preparation and acceptance into a graduate program.