Who Should Get This Certificate?
This certificate provides education on core knowledge and skills for hearing-related careers that do not require a bachelor's degree in speech and hearing sciences. The coursework provides important knowledge and skills for those interested in jobs such as audiology technicians or hearing instrument specialists. This certificate can also be helpful to students pursuing further education to become audiologists, teachers in deaf education, medical and health professionals, acoustical and biological engineers, and much more.
About the Certificate
This certificate is intended primarily for students who are interested in hearing and hearing-related knowledge and skills, but are not in the SHS major. These students should check with their own major advisor about adding this set of courses to their program of study. For specific questions on the certificate and coursework, non-SHS students should contact the SHS academic advisor indicated on this page.
The courses required for this certificate are required for the BA/BS in Speech and Hearing Sciences. If a non-SHS student decides later to complete the SHS major, the certificate courses can be applied toward the degree. Current SHS students who want the certificate listed on their transcript in addition to the degree should contact their academic advisor.
About the Coursework
The certificate consists of five courses, totaling 15 credits. Students will be introduced to the field of communication disorders. They will learn about auditory anatomy, physiology, acoustics, and sound processing; hearing disorders and difficulties across the lifespan; and hearing management techniques and devices.
Students can earn the certificate in as little as two semesters or spread it out longer. All the courses are available once per year on campus and three times per year online. Students can take a mix of online and campus courses that best fits their situations.
Required Hearing Foundations Coursework
| COURSE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
|---|---|---|
| SHS 2600 | Introduction to Communicative Disorders | 3 |
| SHS 3800 | Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing | 3 |
| SHS 4700 | Basic Audiology | 3 |
| SHS 5070 | Acoustics of Speech and Hearing | 3 |
| SHS 5330 | Aural Rehabilitation | 3 |
To earn the certificate, students must meet the following requirements:
- Earn a minimum grade of C in each required SHS course
- Earn an overall GPA of 3.0 in the required courses
- Repeat a total of no more than three SHS courses
- Submit a graduation application for the certificate
Students may waive up to six credits of SHS courses based on courses completed at other institutions that are approved as equivalent to USU SHS courses. See the 2nd Bachelor policy under Transfer Credit for allowable course waivers. For the maximum age of coursework that can be applied toward the Hearing Foundations certificate, see Graduation Requirements.
Kristy Meeks
Academic Advisor/Online First Bachelor Degree