What are communication disorders, and how do speech, language, and hearing work together in communication? Speech and Hearing Sciences offers a foundation for understanding normal and disordered communication across cultures and explores the mechanisms and processes of human communication.

In this program, students learn the theories and principles of communication development and disorders across the life span and the nature of speech, language, and hearing disorders. Additionally, they build a foundation in understanding basic clinical processes and report writing. The program offers a foundation for understanding normal and disordered communication across cultures. It meets the recommendations of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and fulfills entrance requirements for a graduate program in speech-language pathology or audiology. 

Audiologists and speech-language pathologists are professionals with master's or doctoral degrees. Audiologists specialize in prevention, identification, and assessment of hearing impairment. They also provide habilitation and rehabilitation of persons with hearing loss, and they fit hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists assess and treat communication disorders such as stuttering, delayed language development, aphasia, voice disorders, and articulation problems. Audiologists and speech-language pathologists work in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, research laboratories, government agencies, universities, and private practices. Speech, language, and hearing scientists are professionals, usually with a doctoral degree, who investigate basic and applied aspects of communication. They work mainly in universities, industry, and research institutes. 

There is a continuing need, nationwide, for certified professionals in these fields. The major is an excellent choice for students who have a general interest in human behavior, education, and/or health professions and who are specifically interested in how humans beings acquire, produce, and receive language. 

Our department provides quality educational experiences in both academic and clinical contexts to prepare students to become effective professionals in speech-language pathology and related professions. We serve the unique needs of the state of New Mexico by increasing the participation of culturally diverse populations in our disciplines, preparing our students to be leaders in a multicultural and multilingual society, providing our students with unique opportunities to excel in multicultural and multilingual settings, and collaborating with other disciplines to ensure our graduates are prepared to provide comprehensive and effective services.

Courses are open to students in other major fields, and there is a minor available for students in other departments.

Undergraduate Program

UNM Catalog