Texas Tech University

Pre-Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences

The Profession

The field of speech-language and hearing sciences includes a wide range of careers, including audiologists and speech-language pathologists. Professionals in this field help patients deal with a broad range of disabilities and conditions related to speech delays or difficulties and hearing loss or limitations. Audiologists measure hearing ability, identify hearing and balance disorders, provide rehabilitative services, assess amplification devices, and provide training in speech-reading. They treat patients from birth through adulthood.

A Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) is an independent professional who specializes in diagnosing, managing, and treating hearing- and balance-related disorders. Speech-Language Pathologists assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent speech, language, cognitive, communication, voice, swallowing, fluency, and other related disorders. This profession is closely allied with audiology, yet still a separate field. The following are examples of the types of people with whom Speech-Language Pathologists work:

  • Those who cannot make speech sounds or cannot make them clearly
  • Those with speech rhythm and fluency problems, such as stuttering
  • Those with problems understanding and producing language
  • Those who wish to improve their communication skills by modifying an accent

Being Pre-Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Pre-Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences (SLHS) is considered an academic designation at Texas Tech University; it is not a degree-granting major. Pre-SLHS students typically take the required courses to apply to complete a SLHS bachelor's degree program in their first two years. Pre-SLHS students do have the option to major in any area of study they may choose, taking the prerequisite courses required to enter a SLHS program as well as the courses required for their chosen degree-granting major at Texas Tech University. While many students will remain in the Pre-SLHS designation, students may take the required courses and apply for admission to a SLHS program regardless of major or designation.

Whether a Pre-Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences student chooses a degree-granting major at Texas Tech or remains in the designation, they will always have a PPHC Advisor on their team. If you have any questions whatsoever about being Pre-SLHS, contact your assigned PPHC Advisor today!

Prerequisite Courses

COURSE NAME Texas Tech University Course Numbers
ENGLISH I ENGL 1301
ENGLISH II ENGL 1302
US HISTORY (6 hrs) Two from: HIST 2300, 2301, and 2310
POLITICAL SCIENCE (US) POLS 1301
POLITICAL SCIENCE (Texas) POLS 2306
COLLEGE ALGEBRA or higher MATH 1320 or higher
STATISTICAL METHODS MATH 2300
LIFE SCIENCE BIOL 1402 or ZOOL 2403
PHYSICAL SCIENCE CHEM 1305/1105 or PHYS 1401 or PHYS 1406
SOCIAL and BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES (6 hrs) Select from approved list;
COMS 2350 recommended substitution
LANGUAGE, PHILOSOPHY, and CULTURE (3 HOURS)
Select from approved list
CREATIVE ARTS (3 HOURS)
Select from approved list
CORE CURRICULUM ELECTIVES (6 Hours) Must come from Core Curriculum coursework not applied elsewhere
GENERAL ELECTIVES
(VARIABLE HOURS)
As needed to reach 63 total hours

Frequently check with the programs to which you plan to apply as prerequisites and/or application procedures can change.

Priority in application review and admission into the program will be given to those applicants who have completed applications by April 1st. Applications completed between April 1st and July 1st will be reviewed in order of completion and only considered for admission if there is still availability in the cohort.

For more information Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Program.

Other Requirements

Minimum requirements to be considered for admission to the TTUHSC School of Health Professions SLHS Tradiational Program are as follows:

  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5

Other SLHS Programs/Schools in Texas

Below are other programs that may be of interest to Pre-Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences students at Texas Tech University.

Please note: It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they are following the most recent admissions requirements for the SLHS programs to which they may, including entrance exams, prerequisite courses, shadowing and volunteering requirements (including documentation as necessary), or any other requirements admissions boards may consider for application.

Success Roadmap

PPHC Advisors have created a year-by-year PDF guide to being Pre-SLHS.