Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

Van Bokkelen Hall 105
Phone: 410-704-4153
Fax: 410-704-4131
Email: asld@towson.edu

Programs of the Department 

The Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Department offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs devoted to the enhancement of all forms of human communication. The blending of these two disciplines into one department creates a unique learning experience for undergraduate and graduate students.

The Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology undergraduate major is a pre-professional degree program designed for students who want to pursue careers as speech-language pathologists or audiologists. Both careers require graduate study. The undergraduate degree prepares students for admission into either graduate program.

In order to continue in and graduate with a Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology degree, students are required to earn a grade equivalent of 2.00 or higher in all courses required for the major, in addition to attaining the overall cumulative GPA required by TU. Any student earning a grade equivalent below a 2.00 in any required major course must repeat the course. Students who earn a grade equivalent below a 2.00 in more than one major course are not allowed to continue in the program.

Student Activities 

Students in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology are encouraged to participate in the campus chapters of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

SPPA Graduate Programs

The Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology offers two graduate programs: Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS SLP) and Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.).

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS SLP)

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is a 2-year program, including classes and clinical practicum each semester. Students with an undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or higher are encouraged to apply to the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology graduate program. 

Students apply directly to Admissions by January 15. For more information, consult the department website or contact the graduate program director in Speech-Language Pathology at kday@towson.edu.

Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.)

The Doctor of Audiology is a 4-year program, including 3 years of classes and clinical rotations and 1 year of full-time externship. Students with an undergraduate GPA of 3.20 or higher are encouraged to apply to the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) graduate program. Students must complete the Au.D. program prerequisite courses prior to admission or while they are completing the graduate degree.

Students apply directly to Admissions by January 15. For more information, consult the department website or contact the graduate program director in Audiology at sananthakrishnan@towson.edu.

Options for Students with Undergraduate Degrees in Other/Non-SPPA Majors

Students with degrees in other/non-SPPA majors can apply directly to the Au.D. program. If a student is interested in the MS SLP program, they can apply to the department's Second Bachelor’s Degree Program in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (details below) or complete the prerequisite courses at an accredited university. Additional details are available here.

Second Bachelor’s Degree Program

The second bachelor’s degree is for students who are not eligible for the Graduate Programs. This is a two-year, full-time undergraduate program beginning in the fall term only. Second Bachelor’s Degree students take all required courses with the exception of already completed courses from the first degree. Graduates are eligible to apply to any graduate program. Students must apply to TU for admission to this program, then declare the major. Application information is available from the Second Bachelor’s Degree Office, including the application deadline, which is in early spring for fall-only admission.

Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology Admission Requirements 

The Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology (SPPA) B.S. degree is a screened major. Admission to Towson University does not guarantee admission into this major. Interested students begin the program as “Premajor” students (PSPA major), then apply for admission to the SPPA major once the premajor courses are completed. Admission to the SPPA major requires: a) completing all of the admission steps listed below, b) a minimum GPA of 2.80 or better in 5 premajor courses (see below), and c) a minimum GPA of 2.50 or better for the last 30 units of courses. Students with a ranking GPA of 3.20 or higher are guaranteed admission into the program (See department website for information on calculating ranking GPA). Students with ranking GPA lower than 3.20 are admitted on a space-available basis. Students are admitted into the major in June of each year. Students who wish to be admitted to the major must complete the following steps during the PSPA premajor year.

  1. Officially declare the PSPA premajor in PeopleSoft.
  2. Attend an SPPA open house and submit the pre-major application (see directions). Transfer students should contact the department as soon as they are admitted to TU to be considered for admission to the SPPA major by the following fall. For more information about transfer student procedures, please visit our webpage.
  3. Complete 5 premajor courses with a combined GPA of 2.80 or better before consideration for admission to the major. Courses can be taken at TU or transferred from other universities. The list of premajor courses are located in the Major in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Requirements tab.

  4. Complete a speech, language, and hearing screening at the TU Hearing & Balance/Speech & Language Center located at the Institute for Well-Being. Screenings are held during the first week of each term. Students who declare the major in the spring term prior to admission for the following fall must schedule this screening during the first term of the program.

Admission decisions are made in early June. All materials are due in the main office by May 31. Transfer students must send official transcripts to the SPPA department by this date if their transfer courses are included in the last 30 units of course work. This is in addition to transcripts sent to the TU admissions office.

Admission to the SPPA major is based on a calculated/overall GPA, which is the average of GPAs in two area: 1. 5 premajor classes, and 2. most recent 27-30 units. If this overall GPA is higher than a 3.20, then students are accepted to the major. Those below the 3.20 cut-off will be admitted as space allows. Students who do not get into the major can choose to try again the following year. For more information, refer to the admission requirements on the department website.

SPPA 101 INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION DISORDERS (3)

Introduction to variations in speech, language and hearing processes. Students will learn the scope of clinical practice.

SPPA 200 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE AUDITORY AND VOCAL MECHANISM (3)

Anatomical structures involved in the communication processes of speech, language, and hearing. Analysis of the functioning of these structures. Lectures and laboratory sessions will be required. Prerequisite: BIOL 221/ BIOL 221L (BIOL 213), major status, or consent of department.

SPPA 210 PHONETICS OF AMERICAN ENGLISH (3)

Analysis of speech sounds of American English and the use of phonetic symbols to record them. Emphasizes ear training, phonetic transcription, and language recordings. Prerequisites: major status or consent of the department.

SPPA 215 LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN (3)

Analysis of normal speech and language development, including the phonetic, semantic, and syntactic elements. Prerequisites: SPPA major status or consent of the department.

SPPA 302 INTRODUCTION TO SPEECH AND SOUND DISORDERS (3)

Developmental, linguistic, and physiological aspects of the English sound system. Assessment, analysis, and treatment of sound system disorders in children. Prerequisites: SPPA 210, SPPA 215, major status, or consent of the department.

SPPA 303 HEARING SCIENCE (3)

Introduction to study of acoustics and psychoacoustics. Utilization of models and instrumentation. Prerequisites: BIOL 191/ BIOL 191L (BIOL 190) or BIOL 200/ BIOL 200L (BIOL 201) or BIOL 221/ BIOL 221L; major status; or consent of department.

SPPA 304 LANGUAGE DISORDERS IN CHILDREN (3)

Study of developmental and neurologically based disorders of language in children. Assessment, analysis, and treatment of language disorders. Prerequisites: SPPA 215, major status, or consent of the department.

SPPA 306 NEUROANATOMY AND NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS OF SPEECH AND LANGUAGE (3)

Introduction to neuroanatomy as it relates to speech and language. Etiology, differential diagnosis, and therapeutic management of neurologically-based speech and language disorders. Prerequisites: SPPA 200, major status, or consent of the department.

SPPA 310 INTRODUCTION TO STUTTERING (3)

Introduction to the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of stuttering across the lifespan. Focus on clinical applications, research, and theory.

SPPA 313 SPEECH SCIENCE (3)

Biological, linguistic, and acoustic aspects of speech processes. Strategies for the scientific study of speech and speech disorders including models and instrumentation. Prerequisites: SPPA 210, SPPA 200, major status, or consent of the department.

SPPA 321 INTRODUCTION TO AUDIOLOGY (3)

Anatomy, physiology and pathologies of the hearing mechanism. Instrumentation and techniques for the identification and management of hearing disorders inclusive of pure-tone and speech audiometrics and screening methods. Prerequisites: SPPA 303, major status or department consent.

SPPA 325 INTRODUCTION TO AURAL REHABILITATION (3)

Information on options available for managing children and adults who are deaf or hard of hearing. Early intervention, communication strategies, amplification options and psychosocial issues. Prerequisite: SPPA 321 or consent of department.

SPPA 341 CLINICAL AUDIOLOGY (3)

Basic audiometry; audiogram interpretation; basic principles of audiologic habilitation including school hearing conservation. Prerequisite: SPPA 321 or consent of department.

SPPA 350 LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND DISORDERS IN EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS (3)

Review of neurological, structural, cognitive, and perceptual bases of normal and disordered language and their relationship to language, literacy, and learning in children. Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or PSYC 102 and not open to SPPA majors.

SPPA 416 CLINICAL OBSERVATION AND TECHNIQUES (3)

Methods and materials in clinical practice. Planning and implementation of treatment protocols. 25 hours of supervised observation in a variety of clinical settings. Prerequisites: SPPA 302, 304, 321 or consent of department.

SPPA 417 RESEARCH AND CLINICAL WRITING IN COMMUNICATION DISORDERS (3)

Develops writing skills in disciplines of speech-language pathology and audiology. Requires grade of C or better to fulfill Core requirement. Prerequisites: ENGL 102 or ENGL 190 or equivalent; SPPA 304, SPPA 321, major status, and/or consent of the department. Core: Advanced Writing Seminar.

SPPA 470 SPECIAL TOPICS SEMINAR IN SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY (3)

Investigation of particular topics in the fields of speech and language pathology and audiology. The topic will vary each semester the course is offered. May be repeated for a maximum of six units provided a different topic is covered. Prerequisite: varies with topic.

SPPA 487 CLINICAL INTERNSHIP (3)

Clinical practice in therapeutic procedures with various types of speech, language and/or hearing disorders in the Towson University Speech/Language/Hearing Clinic. Students must attend weekly class. Prerequisites: minimum 3.50 GPA in prerequisite major courses, 25 documented hours of observation, SPPA 416, completed communication screening, or consent of department; and SPPA 417 (may be taken concurrently); a criminal background check is required prior to the start of this course.

SPPA 488 INTERNSHIP IN COMMUNICATION SCIENCES AND RELATED AREAS (1-3)

Designed to facilitate student growth as a developing health-care professional. Students participate in the professional workforce in areas of human communication, health, education, social work, or other “helping professions” that will allow the student to grow in his/her ability to communicate effectively with people in a professional environment. Prerequisites: SPPA major; nine credits of SPPA courses must be completed prior to internship.

SPPA 496 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY (1-4)

Independent study in selected areas of speech-language pathology and audiology. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units. Prerequisites: junior/senior status, faculty/mentor agreement and/or consent of department.

SPPA 498 PROCTORING IN SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY (3)

Students assist faculty in a course which they have already completed in the department. Prerequisites: Grade equivalent of 3.33 GPA or higher in the course which students will proctor, admission to the SPPA major, junior or senior status, and consent of the instructor or department.

SPPA 499 RESEARCH IN COMMUNICATION SCIENCES AND DISORDERS (1-3)

Mentored undergraduate research in speech-language pathology, audiology, or related areas. Repeatable up to a total of 6 units. Prerequisites: open to junior/senior SPPA majors only; consent of department.

Faculty

Professors: Diana Emanuel, Mark Pellowski

Associate Professors: Saradha Ananthakrishnan (Graduate Program Director), Nirmal Srinivasan, Shameka Stewart, Kaitlyn Wilson (Chairperson)

Assistant Professors: Will Bologna, Kelly Coburn, Alexandra Durfee, Casey Keck, Chhayakant Patro, Ashley Zaleski King

Clinical Associate Professors: Karen Day (Graduate Program Director), Kimberly Webster

Clinical Assistant Professors: Patti Bailey Caudill, Caelie Giapponi, Julie Norin, Katherine Peitsch

Clinic Directors: Amanda Kozlowski (Director of the Hearing and Balance Center), Karen Pottash (Director of the Speech and Language Center)