Overview

The BHS can be approached either as a liberal arts and science degree for students whose goals do not include clinical practice, or as a pre-professional degree for those students who plan to pursue a clinical masters or doctoral degree. 

*Note: A master’s degree is required for professional practice in speech-language pathology, and a professional doctorate is required for professional practice in audiology.

The BHS in SLHS is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of the scientific bases of speech, language, and hearing; the different types of communication disorders; and the various kinds of diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilized by speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Undergraduate students in the SLHS department at MU benefit from:

• A low student-faculty ratio: Faculty in the SLHS department are easily accessible and they encourage student questions and interaction outside of the classroom.
• A well-established student organization: MU’s chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association benefits from strong membership, providing opportunities for leadership and professional development.
• Practical, hands-on experience: Seniors may serve as student clinicians in the Robert G. Combs Language Preschool and/or the Accent Modification and Pronunciation Program. Undergraduates may participate in research labs maintained by the SLHS faculty.
• Success in graduate school: Graduates of our BHS program are well-prepared for graduate studies and enjoy high acceptance rates at top universities across the nation.