SPA Courses Open to Non-Majors
199: Speech Pathology/Audiology Orientation. II. 1 hr. Introduces students to the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology as well as departmental degree programs, requirements and personnel. Open to all students (including
those considering SPA as a major) and required for SPA majors.
270. Effective Public Speaking. I, II. 3 hrs.
Designated for improvement of the student’s speech based upon theory and demonstrated performance of voice and diction skills and public-speaking skills for effective communication in a variety of speaking situations.
274. Manual Communication. I, II. 3 hrs. Development of skills needed to communicate in sign language. Includes the manual alphabet, basic number concepts, and the basic vocabulary of traditional American signs.
276. Intermed Manual Communication. II. 3 hrs. PR: SPA 274 Improve skills needed to communicate in sign language. Includes increasing sign language vocabulary, practicing finger spelling, and communicating with signs.
278. Communication Disorders. I, II, S. 3 hrs. Survey of normal processes and disorders of speech, language, and hearing in children and adults. Intended for students and teachers in early childhood, elementary, secondary, and special education, language arts specialists, child development specialists, psychologists, and rehabilitation specialists.
Minor in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology
General Statement
The undergraduate minor in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology is offered to any student enrolled at West Virginia University who wishes to gain an introductory understanding of the professions of speech-language pathology and/or audiology. The minor addresses the speech and hearing sciences, an orientation to the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology, and an overview of speech, language, and hearing disorders. Students can use the minor to enhance preparation in their major and/or to explore the professions in preparation for graduate education in speech-language pathology or audiology. Completion of the minor does not qualify the student for certification as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist, nor does it meet the requirements for working as a speech-language pathology assistant.
Rationale
The undergraduate minor in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology formally recognizes strategic work in an area of study. It is proposed in response to students who, upon completion of an introductory course on speech-language-hearing disorders for non-majors, inquire about other Speech Pathology & Audiology courses that are available to non-majors. The minor offers students the opportunity to pursue a focus area outside their major and therefore should prove appealing to both students and departments throughout the University.
Requirements
1. A minimum of 16 credit hours of coursework in the WVU Department of Speech Pathology & Audiology
2. An overall cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 for admission into the minor
3. A minimum letter grade of C in each course, with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 in all coursework in the minor
4. Students must complete all coursework in the Department of Speech Pathology & Audiology at West Virginia University
5. Courses in the minor may not be taken pass/fail (with the exception of SPA 199) nor can they be audited
6. The one required course in the minor is SPA 278 – Introduction to Communication Disorders (3 credit hours)
7. Elective courses can be chosen from the following:
SPA 199 – Orientation to Speech Pathology & Audiology (1 credit hour)
SPA 270 – Effective Public Speaking (3 credit hours)
SPA 274 – Manual Communication (3 credit hours)
SPA 276 – Intermediate Manual Communication (3 credit hours)
SPA 320 – Speech Science (4 credit hours)
SPA 322 – Phonetics (3 credit hours)
SPA 324 – Language Acquisition (3 credit hours)
SPA 340 – Hearing Science (4 credit hours)
SPA 393 – Special Topics: Communication Disorders in Literature (3 credit hours)
NOTE: Future elective courses may be added to the list of available courses for SPA minors