Degree Requirements
For those following the 
curriculum (class of 2022 and after), please review the Sargent Hub page as well as the BU Bulletin for specific degree requirements.
To obtain a bachelor’s degree, students must have completed a minimum of 128 credits of coursework to meet the expected requirements. There are 13 courses required for this joint degree, including a minimum of five courses in Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences (SAR) and five in Linguistics (CAS). These include:
1. A basic introduction to linguistics, to be taken before all other CAS LX courses, and a basic course in Communication Disorders, to be taken before all other SAR SH courses:
CAS LX250: Introduction to Linguistics
Properties that languages share and how languages differ with respect to structure (sound system, word formation, syntax), expression of meaning, acquisition, variation, and change; cultural and artistic uses of language; comparison of oral, written, and signed languages. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Critical Thinking. (Credits: 4)
SAR SH531: Introduction to Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences
Introduction to various speech and language disorders found across linguistically and culturally diverse populations. Characteristics underlying biological systems and methods for evaluation and treating a variety or communication disorders are examined. Exploration of the professions of speech pathology and audiology. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Teamwork/Collaboration. (Credits: 4)
2. One course in phonetics (select either of the following):
CAS LX301: Phonetics & Phonology: Introduction to Sound Systems
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASLX250) or consent of instructor. ; Undergraduate Corequisites: (CASLX302) - (Students must also register for required co-req CAS LX 302.) Introduction to the nature and patterning of sounds in human language. Presents articulatory and acoustic phonetics, and basic phonological analysis, focusing on cross-language typology and comparison. Hands-on development of practical skills, including IPA transcription, field techniques, and digital speech analysis. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Quantitative Reasoning I, Critical Thinking. (Credits: 4)
SAR SH221: Phonetics
Phonetics is the science of the sounds of speech, including how they are produced, perceived, and classified. In this course, students will develop competence in perceiving and classifying the segmental and suprasegmental patterns of American English. Students will master the International Phonetic Alphabet for broad and narrow transcription of vowels, consonants, and connected speech. Classroom and lab-based activities will develop listening and transcription skills for analyzing individual differences in dialect and accent, phonological development, and disordered speech. (Credits: 4)
3. Two additional core courses in Linguistics
CAS LX321: Syntax: Introduction to Sentential Structure
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASLX250) or consent of instructor. ; Undergraduate Corequisites: (CASLX322) - (Students must also register for required co-req CAS LX 322.) Introduction to syntax as an object of inquiry. Students build an increasingly sophisticated model of syntactic knowledge to account for data from English and other languages, constructing and evaluating alternative hypotheses about how sentence structure works. Carries humanities divisional studies credit in CAS. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course entitled "Syntax I" that was previously numbered CAS LX 522. (Credits: 4)
CAS LX331: Semantics & Pragmatics: Introduction to Linguistic Meaning
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASLX250) or consent of instructor. - Systematic examination of how meaning is encoded in words and sentences, and how it can emerge from the complexity of the grammar. Also touches on various aspects of pragmatics--the study of how meaning is shaped by context. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: The Individual in Community, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Critical Thinking. Effective Fall 2025, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: The Individual in Community, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Teamwork and Collaboration. (Credits: 4)
4. Two additional core courses in Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
SAR SH522: Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism
Study of the physiological structures and functions that underlie speech production. Emphasis is placed on the respiratory, phonatory, and articulatory systems. Introduction to neuroanatomy and neural control of the production of speech as well as dysfunction of these normal processes in clinical disorders is included. (Credits: 4)
SAR SH523: Introduction to Speech Science
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (SARSH221 & SARSH522) - Lecture, laboratory, and demonstrations. Introduction to the basic physics of sound, including the decibel scale, spectral analysis, and resonance. Includes speech production, speech perception and suprasegmental effects. (Credits: 4)
5. One course in language acquisition (select any of the following):
CAS LX350: Crosslinguistic Approaches to Language Acquisition
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASLX250) - Exploration, within the framework of generative grammar, of how similarities and differences in the acquisition patterns of syntax, semantics, and morphology across typologically diverse languages provide key evidence about the essential nature of first and second language acquisition. (Credits: 4)
CAS LX355: Second Language Acquisition
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASLX250) or consent of instructor. - Overview of second language acquisition at all linguistic levels. Topics include the role of the native language; markedness; universals; environmental variables; cognitive and affective factors; social dimensions; individual differences among learners; and application of theory to third language acquisition. (Credits: 4)
CAS LX453: Acquisition of Phonology
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASLX301) - Surveys current knowledge about how children acquire phonology during the first years of life. Topics include biological foundations; perceptual and vocal development; word learning; phonological universals; implicit and explicit learning mechanisms; formalist and functionalist models; and individual variation. Also offered as GRS LX 753. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course entitled "Phonological Development" that was previously numbered CAS LX 541. (Credits: 4)
CAS LX454: Acquisition of Syntax
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASLX321) - Exploration of the character and course of acquisition of syntactic knowledge in both first and second language contexts. Covers methodological principles for conducting studies and analyzing data, and topics such as development of verb movement, binding theory, and tense. Also offered as GRS LX 754. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS LX 540. (Credits: 4)
SAR SH524: Language Acquisition
This course will focus on first language acquisition in infancy and childhood. We will cover the progression of language development in each of the traditional areas of linguistic analysis: phonology, semantics, syntax, and pragmatics. The course will be focused on experimental research in typical language acquisition and on different theories that strive to explain the underlying cognitive and linguistic mechanisms at work in an early learner. (Credits: 4)
6. Two additional courses in Linguistics
Chosen from CAS LX courses at or above the 300-level, in consultation with an advisor
7. One additional course in Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences (select either of the following):
SAR SH505: Introduction to Speech Sound Disorders
Undergraduate Prerequisites: SAR SH 221 and SH 524 - This course provides an overview of current models of normal and disordered phonological development. Students examine and practice evidenced-based principles and practical applications of assessment, analysis, diagnosis, and remediation approaches and procedures to facilitate critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to apply to working with individuals with a variety of phonological disorders (Credits: 4)
SAR SH535: Introduction to Audiology
Undergraduate Prerequisites: Audiology - Requires both lecture and lab to cover hearing assessment through the use of pure-tone and speech audiometric techniques as well as the measurement of middle-ear function. The course also includes information about the anatomy and physiology of the auditory system, acoustics, and the effect of noise on hearing. (Credits: 4)
SAR SH548: Introduction to Language Disorders Across the Lifespan
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (SARSH524) - This course will provide a broad overview of language disorders across the life span. Students will learn about the causes and characteristics of a variety of developmental and acquired language disorders. We will discuss assessment of language skills and various evidence-based treatment methodologies using video demonstration, live observation, and simulated practical experiences. (Credits: 4)
8. One of the following two courses:
SAR SH547: Introduction to the Clinical Process I
Undergraduate Prerequisites: SAR SH221, SH524, and SH531, or consent of instructor. - This course is designed to prepare speech-language pathology students to enter into clinical practicum. Students will study theories of clinical process through guided observation experiences, culminating to a final mini-practicum experience. As part of this course, students will complete the ASHA requirement of 25 clinical observation hours. (Credits: 4)
SAR SH642: Senior Seminar
Undergraduate Prerequisites: SLHS & LX Major and Minor only; senior status - The goal of this capstone seminar is to provide SLHS students with knowledge and skills in professionalism and the application of different types of evidence as a basis for practice in a variety of clinical and research settings. The course involves internships related to the disciplines of speech language and hearing sciences and is for students in their final year of these majors. (Credits: 2)
9. One additional elective from 5, 6, or 7 above.
Prerequisites for Students Interested in Graduate School
Students planning to apply to graduate programs in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology should include the following five courses as part of their undergraduate curriculum:
CAS PS101: General Psychology
Basic introduction to field of psychology; topics include theories and findings governing learning, memory, perception, development, personality, social and abnormal psychology. Three hours large lecture and one hour discussion section or three hours of small lecture class with no discussion sections. Students are required to participate as subjects in psychology studies. 4 cr. either sem. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Critical Thinking. Effective Fall 2019, this course will fulfill a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Critical Thinking, Ethical Reasoning. (Credits: 4)
CAS PY104: Physics of Health Sciences
Undergraduate Prerequisites: some knowledge of algebra and trigonometry. - PY104 is a one semester introduction to the basic physics concepts that relate to the health sciences. Material covered is selected from a range of topics, such as include Kinematics and Dynamics, Newton's Laws, Statics, Momentum, Work and Energy, Mechanical Waves, Electric Charge and Force, Capacitance and Resistance, Electric Circuits, and Properties of Electromagnetic Waves, Atomic and Nuclear Physics, and Medical Imaging. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Quantitative Reasoning I, Critical Thinking. (Credits: 4)
SAR SH524: Language Acquisition
This course will focus on first language acquisition in infancy and childhood. We will cover the progression of language development in each of the traditional areas of linguistic analysis: phonology, semantics, syntax, and pragmatics. The course will be focused on experimental research in typical language acquisition and on different theories that strive to explain the underlying cognitive and linguistic mechanisms at work in an early learner. (Credits: 4)
As well as one of the following:
CAS MA113: Elementary Statistics
CAS MA 113 may not be taken for credit by any student who has completed any MA course numbered 300 or higher. Students may receive credit for not more than one of the following courses: CAS MA 113, MA 115, or MA 213. Basic concepts of estimation and tests of hypotheses, ideas from probability; one-, two-, and multiple-sample problems. Applications will be in social sciences and students will be able to understand the basics of using a sample to predict uncertainty. Carries MCS divisional credit in CAS. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Quantitative Reasoning II. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Critical Thinking. (Credits: 4)
CAS MA115: Statistics I
CAS MA 115 may not be taken for credit by any student who has completed any MA course numbered 300 or higher. Students may receive credit for not more than one of the following courses: CAS MA 113, MA 115, or MA 213. Numerical and graphical summaries of univariate and bivariate data. Basic probability, random variables, binomial distribution, normal distribution. One- sample statistical inference for normal means and binomial probabilities. Primarily for students in the social sciences with limited mathematics preparation. Carries MCS divisional credit in CAS. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Quantitative Reasoning II. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Critical Thinking. (Credits: 4)
CAS PS211: Introduction to Experimental Design
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASPS101) - Introduction to the logic and processes involved in descriptive and inferential statistics for psychology. Topics include statistical inference, significance, t-tests, ANOVAs, correlation, regression, and statistical software analysis. This is a hybrid class - class time is reserved for hands on activities. Does not count toward the principal courses required for the major or minor. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Quantitative Reasoning I. (Credits: 4)