Students who choose to pursue a career in speech-language pathology (SLP) or audiology need to know that the entry-level into the practice of either profession is a graduate degree (a master's degree in the case of SLP; a doctorate in the case of audiology).  Applicants for graduate study in SLP must complete a prescribed curriculum of foundational information prior to initiating the graduate degree.  The coursework listed below will fulfill the prerequisite requirements of most SLP graduate programs and prepares students for graduate study.  Although not always required for graduate study in audiology, many programs prefer that their applicants have some or all of the courses below.  This curriculum also provides an excellent background for students who will pursue graduate study in related disciplines.

GVSU students who wish to matriculate in the prescribed curriculum as part of their baccalaureate degree may either 1) declare a major in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD), or 2) declare and complete the requirements of another GVSU major while concurrently completing the prerequisite courses. Individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree, whether from GVSU or another institution, may apply to our Track 2 graduate program.

Students who declare a major in CSD and are admitted to the program enroll in a 4-semester sequence of courses. Students can only enter the course sequence beginning in the fall semester and students typically begin the courses in their Junior year. 

Students who wish to complete a major other than CSD while concurrently completing the SLP graduate school prerequisite courses can enroll in the traditional 4-semester sequence of courses or a 2 –semester sequence.  The 2-semester sequence is designed for students who have completed most degree requirements prior to initiating the SLP graduate school prerequisite courses (i.e., typically have Senior status). The 2-semester sequence requires 15 credit hours of SLP courses both semesters in the program and students can only enter the sequence in the fall semester.  

Questions about the undergraduate programs can be directed to Dr. Wil Rankinen, [email protected].

Undergraduate students who wish to matriculate through the CSD major or complete the graduate prerequisite courses must apply for admission to the CSD program by completing the Secondary Admission Application (submission deadline is 1/15). Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, including grades from colleges/universities other than GVSU, after completing at least 45 college credits.  Please read the application materials thoroughly before submission.  Questions about admissions and applications can be directed to Ms. Josie Fowler, [email protected].

Most of the subject matter covered in this major is also offered in the majority of other undergraduate programs in speech-language pathology in the country, although some of these courses are not offered at other institutions for undergraduate credit.  The intent is to provide an outstanding preparatory experience for GVSU students that goes above and beyond what many other institutions provide. 

• STA 215 – Introductory Applied Statistics Credits: 3
• AHS 301 – Introduction to Health Care Research Credits: 3 or PSY 300 – Research Methods in Psychology Credits: 3
• PHY 200 – Physics for the Life Sciences Credits: 4
• BIO 120 – General Biology Credits: 4
• PSY 101 – Introductory Psychology Credits: 3
• EDF 315 – Diverse Perspectives on Education Credits: 3
• AHS 321 – Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in Health Care Credits: 3

• CSD 100 - Introduction to Communication Disorders** Credits: 3
• CSD 200 – Introduction to Hearing Science** Credits: 3
• CSD 220 – Communication Development** Credits: 3
• CSD 302 – Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism* Credits: 3
• CSD 304 – Phonetics* Credits: 3
• CSD 306 – Speech Science* Credits: 3
• CSD 309 – Basic Audiology* Credits: 3
• CSD 401 – Neurological Foundations of Communication Disorders* Credits: 3
• CSD 404 – Audiologic Rehabilitation* Credits: 3
• SLP 405 – Clinical Methods* Credits: 3 (Capstone course)
• SLP 407 – Pediatric Language and Articulation Disorders* Credits: 2
• SLP 421 – Motor Speech and Fluency Disorders* Credits: 2
• SLP 422 – Dysphagia and Voice Disorders* Credits: 2
• SLP 420 – Adult Language and Cognitive Communication Disorders* Credits: 2

 *Permit required, as course requires admission to the program to enroll

**You are encouraged to take these courses your Freshman or Sophomore year

Undergraduate students who wish to complete a GVSU major other than CSD can also enroll in the courses that fulfill prerequisite coursework requirements for most graduate schools in SLP or audiology. Non-CSD major students must complete and submit a Secondary Admission Application and be admitted to the program to complete the coursework. The coursework can be completed in two or four semesters. Courses listed below fulfill the prerequisite requirements for most graduate programs and make-up the curriculum for non-CSD major students.

The two-semester sequence is abbreviated and can be completed in a short time period. The sequence consists of the courses listed below, with the following modification: SLP 405 is optional and two to three of the following four courses will be offered each winter for students in the two-semester sequence: SLP 407, 420, 421, and 422.

• CSD 200 – Introduction to Hearing Science Credits: 3
• CSD 220 – Communication Development Credits: 3
• CSD 302 - Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism* Credits: 3
• CSD 304 – Phonetics* Credits: 3
• CSD 306 - Speech Science* Credits: 3
• CSD 309 - Basic Audiology* Credits: 3
• CSD 401 - Neurological Foundations of Communication Disorders* Credits: 3
• CSD 404 – Audiologic Rehabilitation* Credits: 3
• SLP 405 – Clinical Methods* Credits: 3
• SLP 407 – Pediatric Language and Articulation Disorders* Credits: 2
• SLP 420 – Adult Language and Cognitive Communication Disorders* Credits: 2
• SLP 421 – Motor Speech and Fluency Disorders* Credits: 2
• SLP 422 – Dysphagia and Voice Disorders* Credits: 2

*Permit required, as course requires admission to the program to enroll

Students who began coursework at GVSU prior to the fall 2018 semester are able to complete a Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Science with an emphasis in Pre-Speech-Language Pathology.  Please consult the GVSU Course Catalog that corresponds to your catalog year for program requirements.

NOTE: Students completing the AHS major with SLP emphasis will enroll in the new CSD/SLP courses to fulfill their requirements for the SLP emphasis.  Students must complete all AHS requirements listed in their catalog year.

NOTE:  All information provided on this page is superseded by the official university catalog.  Current and prospective students are encouraged to review the program requirements as specified in the current catalog and in conjunction with departmental and university advisors.