Advising FAQs
- What are good introductory classes for the Speech and Hearing major?
The Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (SPHS) offers two classes that are most appropriate for those exploring the majors at IU. These are SPHS S106: Hearing Science: An Overview and SPHS S108: Speech and Language Science: An Overview. S106 and S108 are survey courses that cover a range of topics within the speech, language and hearing fields, including audiology and speech-language pathology.
SPHS S111 is an introductory course that covers the science of speech production. A Critical Approaches course also might be of interest to you: COLL E105 Read My Lips!. This course is taught by a professor in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences and provides an introductory view of the field, even though it is not targeted specifically to SPHS majors.
The CAPP course is C105 “Can You Hear Me Now?”
- What degree will I get if I major in Speech and Hearing Sciences, and what are the graduation requirements?
The Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (SPHS) offers Bachelors of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelors of Science (B.S.) degrees depending on the coursework taken. These degrees can be tailored for preparation for entry to graduate programs or can be more general for those students not wishing to pursue graduate school in clinical speech-language pathology or audiology. The undergradute bulletin explains the specific course requirements for each program.
- How should I select my courses?
Advisors within the University Division will help you select your courses if you are not a declared SPHS major. S106 and S108 (as mentioned above) are good places to start. Once you declare Speech and Hearing Sciences as your major, you will be in contact with the SPHS advisor who, with you, will design a course of study.
- How do I know if Speech and Hearing Sciences is right for me?
If you enjoy one of our introductory classes, S106, S108, S111, E105 Can you hear me now? then you are likely to enjoy Speech and Hearing Sciences. You may also want to observe in the Speech-Language or Hearing Clinic to determine if a career as an audiologist or speech-language pathologist is a good choice for you.
Indiana University offers many resources to help students choose their major. You might want to:
- Check out the Explore Majors at IU website.
- Attend an hour-long Choosing Your Major Workshop or an Explore Your Options panel presentation.
- Meet with your academic advisor to discuss your options.
- What careers are available for students with SPHS degrees?
Students in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences are primarily in training for one of two professions: speech-language pathology or audiology. These professions are specifically concerned with the evaluation, treatment, and investigation of human communication and its disorders.
The program in Speech and Hearing Sciences is also a good choice for students interested in the processes of normal and atypical speech and language and hearing across the lifespan, but who are not necessarily interested in pursuing a clinical degree. Our degree options provide flexibility for students interested in other career paths, including both clinical and research orientations.