Speech and Language Disabilities

Bachelor of Science (S. B.)

Speech-language pathologists work in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, schools, private practices, and health departments to identify and treat developmental and acquired communication disorders, including speech, language, swallowing, and voice disorders. Audiologists also work in hospitals, medical practices, schools, and private practices to diagnose hearing problems, fit hearing aids, and counsel clients about their hearing losses. In addition to diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders, both audiologists and speech-language pathologists are involved in prevention activities.

The Elmira College on-campus Speech and Hearing Clinic provides a full array of clinical speech-language pathology and Audiology services to individuals of all ages in the Elmira region. The Elmira College undergraduate program in Speech and Hearing includes two routes to the Bachelor of Science degree. The non-teaching major, Speech and Hearing, prepares students for continued studies in graduate school. The Speech and Language Disabilities major leads to the New York State Initial Teaching Certificate in Speech and Language Disabilities. Both options provide students with a sound basis for continued study and for certification by the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association. Both majors include extensive coursework in normal development as well as in disorders of communication.

During two years pursuing a basic speech and hearing curriculum, students acquire as much supervised practicum experience as possible in the campus Speech and Hearing Clinic. Usually in the senior year, Speech and Hearing students complete an internship at rehabilitation centers, hospitals, summer camps for special needs children, private clinics, or preschools, while Speech-Language Disabilities majors complete a student-teaching experience in an area school district.

Students majoring in other areas may choose to complete the 24-credit Speech and Hearing minor. Completion of the minor provides students with a basic understanding of communication and its disorders and complements study in fields such as psychology, human services, nursing and education.

For more information, please contact:
Phyllis Holtgrewe
(607) 735-1846
pholtgrewe@elmira.edu