Learn more about how to afford a degree from the University of Nevada, Reno.
This 120 credit program is designed to be completed in four years. Transfer students can often complete our program in two years.
Open to all undergraduate students with a GPA of at least 2.75. Applicants must have a high-school diploma.
The speech pathology and audiology major incorporates core knowledge in biological and physical sciences, statistics, and linguistics with the fundamentals of speech, language and hearing development, anatomy and physiology, and communication disorders to develop foundational knowledge needed to pursue graduate study. The need for more speech-language pathologists and audiologists is high due to increasing cases of developmental and acquired disorders of communication, cognition, feeding and swallowing, and hearing.
The bachelor's degree in speech pathology and audiology is a pre-professional degree that prepares our graduates to apply to graduate school for further clinical and advanced training in the field.
Students majoring in speech pathology and audiology take courses that cover topics such as:
You’ll begin taking courses in speech pathology and audiology right away as a first-year student. Most first-year students also take a course in American Sign Language. While only one course in ASL is required for the major in speech pathology, students can go on to take three additional semesters of sign language. First-year students also take the department’s introductory course, which provides an overview of communication disorders as well as discusses cultural and linguistic diversity in communication.
The bachelor’s science degree in speech pathology is the preprofessional program and prepares you to apply to graduate school. A master’s degree is essential for professional competence in the field, and it is a requirement for state licensure and certification.
Speech pathologists work with patients of all ages to treat communication and swallowing disorders. These disorders can result from a variety of causes, including stroke or injury as well as developmental delays or autism. A large number of speech-language pathologists work in schools, but others work in hospitals, health care offices, and nursing and residential care facilities. Employment for speech pathologists is expected to increase 29 percent from 2020 -2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is much faster than average. This growth is expected to be driven primarily by an aging population, which may cause and increase in strokes and dementia. Additionally, greater awareness of speech disorders may lead to increase in demand for speech pathologists who work with children. Median salary, 2021: $79,060
Audiologists hold a doctoral degree and must be licensed to practice. Audiologists are health care providers that focus on diagnosing and treating hearing loss and may also work with clients who have problems with balance. Audiologists work with patients of all ages, although some may specialize in working with children or elderly patients. Most audiologists work in offices, but some audiologists are employed in hospitals or in educational settings. Employment for audiologists is expected to increase 16 percent from 2020 -2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is much faster than average. This growth is expected to be driven primarily by an aging population seeking healthcare. Median salary, 2021: $78,950
76% of students receive financial aid
Almost everyone is eligible to receive some kind of aid. We offer need-based and merit-based forms of financial aid to help you afford college.
54% of all students graduate with no debt
That's right. More than half of our students leave the University of Nevada, Reno with no student debt.
At the University of Nevada, Reno Honors College, our students maximize their unique gifts and passions through a series of personalized experiences that deepen their capacity for transformative societal impact.
Visit the Honors College