Online Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
Overview
Learn to help people communicate more effectively.
Communication is a human right, yet millions of people struggle with speech, language, voice, swallowing, or hearing disorders that affect their ability to express themselves fully. In many cases, these issues go untreated.
By earning an online Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences from Bradley University, you can embark on a rewarding career where you'll be working with patients across the lifespan to help them overcome these challenges.
CALENDAR
Application Deadline:
Summer 2026
4/15/2026
Fall 2026
7/15/2026
Upcoming Start Date:
May 20, 2026
Online Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at a Glance
- Total Credits: 120 (including 45 credits of program core courses)
- Transfer Credits Accepted: Up to 66 from accredited 2-year colleges and unlimited from 4-year institutions
- Time to Completion: As few as 2.7 years (8 semesters) for core coursework and general education requirements
Build a solid foundation in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
Our innovative program is designed to equip you with the foundational knowledge and skills to become an ethical and culturally sensitive pre-professional or assistant in speech, language and hearing sciences — or to pursue graduate education and higher-level opportunities in speech-language pathology.
Combining problem-based learning, simulation experience, and hands-on clinical opportunities, coursework can help prepare you for graduate school or speech-language pathology assistant certification.
One of the distinguishing features of Bradley's program is our strong focus on training the clinicians of tomorrow.
Our curriculum includes a guided observation course plus two optional real-world courses that offer you the opportunity to acquire valuable supervised clinical experience.
You can complete your core coursework and general education requirements in as few as 2.7 years (8 semesters).
Why choose Bradley for your Bachelor’s in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences?
Bradley University has been shaping leaders and innovators since 1897. Continuously driven by our commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and learning, we've designed our speech and language program to combine rigorous academics with real-world practice.
A Bradley education is founded in a rich culture of collaboration, support, and shared values intended to challenge you to grow personally and professionally. We continue to earn high marks for our outstanding faculty and student-centered approach to learning.
When you choose Bradley's Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences program, you'll have access to the resources and tools to help you attain your goals, including:
- Dedicated faculty members who have years of clinical and academic experience. These mentors will be there for you not only beyond office hours, but beyond graduation.
- Small class sizes and the personalized support to help you thrive.
- A collaborative environment where you can learn from and alongside like-minded professionals who share your vision for a brighter future.
- Learning beyond the classroom where you can hone your skills through supervised clinical experiences.
Online Post-Baccalaureate SLHS Leveling Certificate in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
If you have a bachelor's degree in an area unrelated to speech-language pathology or hearing sciences but would like to pursue a graduate degree in this field, Bradley offers an SLHS Leveling Certificate that can prepare you for an advanced degree program.
Our SLHS Leveling Certificate is designed to equip you with the background required for most master's programs.
It consists of 7 courses totaling 21 credits and can be completed in as few as 9 months (2 semesters).
Why should you pursue a Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences?
If you're passionate about helping others and making a positive impact in your community, then a career as a speech-language pathology assistant or a position in hearing sciences can be a great choice.
Earning a Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences can help you qualify for a number of assistant roles in the field, where you can work in settings such as schools and clinics and gain valuable hands-on experience.
Careers
Choose a career path with life-changing potential
Speech, language and hearing science professionals can have a profound impact on people's lives. Clinicians treat patients across the lifespan who have disorders affecting their swallowing, speech, language, learning, and cognition, helping to build critical skills and facilitate communication.
Bradley University's online speech, language and hearing sciences bachelor's program is designed to give students the foundational knowledge and skills they need to embark on this rewarding career path.
What can you do with a bachelor's degree in speech, language and hearing sciences?
Most bachelor's degree holders will apply to graduate school to pursue an advanced degree in a subject like speech-language pathology or audiology.
Attaining a master's (and/or doctoral degree if required) can unlock greater career opportunities and earning power, typically as speech-language pathologists (SLPs) or audiologists.
However, for those whose goal is to start working sooner, a bachelor's degree can also open doors to assistant-level roles in the field.
SLPAs work under the direction of a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP), assisting with screening patients, carrying out treatment plans, and providing administrative and clerical support.
Please note, in addition to the bachelor's degree, you may have to fulfill other requirements to become an SLPA. These are set by your state of residence and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
*(Source: Indeed)
An audiology assistant supports an audiologist in their treatment of patients with hearing and/or balance disorders. The role can involve some diagnostic and hands-on clinical care, as well as administrative work including scheduling appointments, taking patient histories, and documenting treatment plans.
*(Source: Salary.com)
What's the job outlook?
While you typically need a graduate-level education to pursue high-level positions, bachelor's graduates who go on to earn their advanced degrees in speech, language and hearing sciences often become speech-language pathologists (SLP) or audiologists.
From 2024 to 2034, employment is projected to grow by 15% for speech-language pathologists and 9% for audiologists — much faster than the average rate of 3% across all professions.
(Source: BLS - Speech-Language Pathologists/Audiologists)
Where can you work?
Speech, language and hearing science professionals are employed in both healthcare and educational settings. These include:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Public schools (K-12)
- Private schools (K-12)
- Specialty rehabilitation facilities
- Private practice
- Department of Defense accredited schools
What skills and qualities do you need?
- Communication skills: To explain information clearly, including test results and proposed treatments, so that patients understand their diagnosis and options.
- Empathy: To demonstrate compassion and understanding to patients who may be frustrated by their communication disorders.
- Analytical skills: Clinicians must select appropriate diagnostic tools and evaluate results to identify goals and develop a treatment plan.
- Interpersonal skills: To build trusted relationships with patients, their families and other healthcare providers.
- Problem-solving skills: To determine the causes of swallowing, speech, language, hearing, or cognitive disorders and determine appropriate treatment plans. Clinicians must also be able to propose alternatives if patients don’t respond to initial treatment.
Explore additional career paths
How to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)
Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) Specializations
Curriculum
What can you learn in the speech, language and hearing sciences program?
The 120-credit curriculum includes 15 required courses (45 credits) on topics related to speech-language pathology, audiology, and hearing sciences, as well as an additional required course on clinical neuroanatomy.
The program also includes two optional supervised clinical experiences which are geared toward students who plan to pursue graduate school and/or an entry-level position in the field. The remainder of the curriculum consists of general education courses and general electives.
The full breakdown is as follows:
- Required program core courses: 45 credits
- Required clinical neuroanatomy course: 3 credits
- General education course: 45 credits
- General electives: 21 credits
- Experimental learning courses: 6 credits
The time it takes to earn your degree will vary depending on how many credits you transfer and how many credits you take each semester. However, you can complete your core coursework and general education requirements in as few as eight semesters (less than three years).
Program core courses
Experiential learning courses
Admission requirements
Here are the requirements to be considered for admission to the online Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences program.
First-year applicants:
- Completed application
- Unofficial high school transcript
- Statement of interest/personal statement
Transfer applicants:
- Completed application
- Unofficial transcripts from every postsecondary institution attended (unofficial high school transcripts may also be required)
In addition to the above, submission of the following items is optional:
- Resume or CV (recommended for candidates who have not been in education recently)
- One letter of recommendation (you may elect to include a letter from a teacher, school counselor, coach, or school activity advisor; No specific form is required)
Gain insights from leading communication science professionals
