Speech Pathology and Audiology, dual degree BA-MA

What You'll Learn

Pursue a broad and practical course of study that will save you time and money on your way to a vocation in speech-language pathology.

You’ll study the causes and treatment of a wide variety of disorders. You’ll learn new ways to care for people, all within the framework of Christian faith. To wrap it up, you’ll also have the option of completing a thesis at the end of the program.

Students who wish to enter the professions of speech-language pathology or audiology may qualify for the degree of bachelor of arts in speech pathology and audiology and then apply to graduate programs in either area. Admission into graduate programs in audiology or speech-language pathology is competitive. Students who wish to become audiologists should apply to accredited graduate programs at other institutions during the fall of their senior year. Students who wish to become speech-language pathologists may apply to Calvin's bachelor's-to-master's (BA-MA) before the second semester of their junior year or they may apply to other accredited graduate programs during the fall of their senior year.

Undergraduate students who have transferred to Calvin from another college or university will follow the regular admission process to the master's program. They must have completed at least two semesters of full-time academic work at Calvin by the time they apply for admission to the program. Transfer students can expect to be full-time at the undergraduate level for at least four semesters before beginning the master's program. Transferring to the program as an undergraduate student does not guarantee admission in Calvin's master's program.

Students must earn at least a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) every semester across all courses. If a student earns below a 3.0 GPA in any one semester, the student will be placed on probation and must earn a 3.0 GPA in all other semesters. Students may earn below a 3.0 GPA only one time during their tenure at Calvin University. A second semester with a GPA below 3.0 will result in the student being dismissed from the SPAUD program. Students may retake SPAUD courses to improve their GPA. Students must also meet the essential functions required to practice as a speech-language pathologist, as outlined in the Speech Pathology and Audiology Student Academic and Clinical Handbook.

Every undergrad entering the BA-MA SPAUD program from Fall 2025 is guaranteed a seat in the MA program.* Students must specify a SPAUD major on their Calvin University application and submit the deposit by May 1.

*mode of program (residential or distance education) is not guaranteed

To retain the guaranteed seat, students must:

Have a program GPA of 3.5 by the end of the spring semester prior to the start of MA coursework
Have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 by the end of the spring semester prior to the start of MA coursework
Earn at least a B in all SPAUD courses at Calvin
Successfully complete a criminal background check and drug screen before entering the MA program
Maintain core functions requirements and have had no violation of the academic integrity policy while at Calvin

Application to the master's program for regular admission of undergraduate students at Calvin normally occurs during the junior year. Applications are due on January 15. Applicants who submit after the deadline will be considered on a space available basis only. In order to apply to the SPAUD program, Calvin students must:

Be at least junior standing at the application due date.
Have completed the following prerequisite courses or be enrolled in at the application due date.