Speech-Language Pathology (B.S.)

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists help people to communicate more effectively. Because communication disorders may occur at any age, hearing and communication specialists work with a wide range of clients, from infants and children with developmental delays to adults and the elderly who experience health problems that result in difficulties with communication.

In your freshman and sophomore years, you’ll take classes covering typical speech, language, and hearing development and learn about a range of communication disorders. This foundational coursework will prepare you to begin intensive, guided, clinical observation experiences.

During your junior year, you’ll spend a substantial amount of time in the Sir Alexander Ewing-Ithaca College Speech and Hearing Clinic, observing therapy and and learning how to plan and carry out therapy sessions. Our program is flexible enough that many students choose to study abroad during their junior year. If you choose to study abroad for a full semester, you will engage in your clinical observation experiences during the fall of your senior year.

As a senior, you’ll have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through our close association with local Head Start programs, in our speech and hearing clinic, or through selected alternative settings.

Although some of our students enter the workforce upon completion of their undergraduate studies, most pursue graduate study at Ithaca College or at other fine institutions. Our students are well prepared for graduate study in speech-language pathology or audiology, or even in related fields such as early childhood education.

Graduate programs in audiology and in speech-language pathology are highly competitive and selective. We offer automatic acceptance into our speech-language pathology graduate program for students who meet the admission criteria in place at the time they submit their graduate program application. Graduate study at Ithaca provides students with an education that meets all of the requirements for state licensure and for national certification as speech-language pathologists.