Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology is a pre-professional program focusing on the basic sciences of human communication, as well as the evaluation and treatment of communication disorders. This program provides a firm foundation for continuing to the master's degree in speech-language pathology or the doctorate in audiology.

The curriculum integrates a sequence of coursework designed to provide a strong liberal arts background and an understanding of normal and disordered aspects of the human communication process. Specific coursework includes anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanisms, hearing and speech science, neurology, phonetics, normal speech and language development, speech and language disorders, audiometry and aural rehabilitation.

Speech-language pathologists are required to hold a master’s degree, while audiologists hold a doctorate in audiology. Both are employed in a variety of settings, including rehabilitation centers, hospitals, schools, community clinics, private practice, research laboratories and colleges and universities.

Student may apply early to the Master of Arts degree in Speech Language Pathology and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs. See the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program Policy in the University Catalog for more information.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Admission to this major is selective. A minimum 3.000 GPA is required to be admitted to the major. Students who do not meet the GPA requirement at the time of admission for this major will be admitted to the EHHS General non-degree program until which time they have established a Kent State GPA of 3.000. They may then submit a change of program to declare this major.

Starting with the spring 2026 admission term, a minimum 3.000 GPA will no longer be required. Admission decisions will be based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

Current Kent State and Transfer Students: Active Kent State students who wish to change their major must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Kent State and meet all admission criteria listed above to be admitted. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Kent State will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Kent State and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA.

Admission to the combined bachelor's/master's degree program: Minimum 3.000 GPA (after 90 earned credit hours) and three letters of recommendation.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the nature of speech, language and hearing processes and disorders in children and adults.
2. Demonstrate the skills necessary to be successful speech-language pathologists, audiologists or other health and human service professionals.
3. Gain entry into graduate programs in speech pathology, audiology and/or related fields, or obtain positions in health and human services related professions.

Roadmap

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In-person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Program Description

Full Description

The Sports Medicine: Orthopedic Patient Care minor focuses on orthopedic and rehabilitation classes and is designed for students interested in fields such as athletic training, orthopedics (orthotists, prosthetist), orthopedic physician, chiropractic, physical and occupational therapy.

The program's curriculum covers musculoskeletal anatomy and physiology, patient assessment, diagnosis and treatment techniques for common musculoskeletal injuries.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.

To declare this minor, students must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Kent State and earned a minimum 2.000 overall Kent State GPA. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Kent State will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Kent State and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of different professions and their scope of practice in the medical and health care fields.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of required patient documentation and administrative policies and procedures associated in the medical and health care fields.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of social cultural issues associated with the care and treatment of patients.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of clinical skills required for first responds when responding to emergencies.
5. Demonstrate an understanding and working knowledge of fundamental neuromuscular and musculoskeletal anatomy and physiology as it relates to injury and illnesses commonly seen in the fields of sports medicine.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of patient history, evaluation differential diagnosis, treatment and prognosis musculoskeletal and general medicine conditions.

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Program Description

Full Description

The Sports Medicine: General Medical and Emergency Care minor focuses on general medical, pharmaceutic and EMT skills and is designed for students interested in medical or pharmacy school.

The minor's curriculum includes general anatomy and physiology of the head, neck, thorax, abdomen and neurologic structures; and organs associated with general medical pathologies scene in the sports medicine field (including, but not limited to, diabetes, respiratory, digestive and cardiovascular conditions).

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.

To declare this minor, students must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Kent State and earned a minimum 2.000 overall Kent State GPA. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Kent State will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Kent State and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of different professions and their scope of practice in the medical and health care fields.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of required patient documentation and administrative policies and procedures associated in the medical and health care fields.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of social cultural issues associated with the care and treatment of patients.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of clinical skills required for first responds when responding to emergencies.
5. Demonstrate an understanding and working knowledge of fundamental neuromuscular and musculoskeletal anatomy and physiology as it relates to injury and illnesses commonly seen in the fields of sports medicine.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of
   1. emergency medical management of injury and medical conditions;
   2. general medical and acute and chronic injuries sustained to the head, neck, thorax and abdomen;
   3. the role of neurology structure and function in healthy and affects patient populations; and
   4. the role of pharmaceutical interventions in the treatment of common pathologies.

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Program Description

Full Description

The Sports Medicine: Administration minor focuses on administrative and academic information and skills for students who want to enter into sports medicine administration positions in hospitals, clinics, physician offices and academic research.

The minor's curriculum provides the common skills, techniques and knowledge associated with administrative responsibilities in medical and health care, as well as academic careers, including, but not limited to, evidence-based research, medical and healthcare ethics and administration in health care.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.

To declare this minor, students must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Kent State and earned a minimum 2.000 overall Kent State GPA. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Kent State will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Kent State and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of different professions and their scope of practice in the medical and health care fields.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of required patient documentation and administrative policies and procedures associated in the medical and health care fields.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of social cultural issues associated with the care and treatment of patients.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of clinical skills required for first responds when responding to emergencies.
5. Demonstrate an understanding and working knowledge of fundamental neuromuscular and musculoskeletal anatomy and physiology as it relates to injury and illnesses commonly seen in the fields of sports medicine.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of
   1. professional roles and administrative responsibilities of individuals in the medical and health care professions;
   2. the professional role in establishing and maintaining professional ethical standards in the care and treatment of patients; and
   3. an appreciation for the standards for developing and using evidence-based research into clinical practice in medical and health care fields.

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus