The Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences' master's program in speech-language pathology is based at WSU Spokane. A bachelor's degree in speech-language pathology is not mandatory, however, students entering the graduate program with undergraduate majors in related fields must complete a core of prerequisites including 32 hours of undergraduate courses. All students are required to complete a statistics course. This is considered a prerequisite, and not part of the graduate program, although the course may be taken at graduate level. Academic coursework and clinical practicum offerings prepare students to become professional personnel capable of meeting the diagnostic and therapy needs of individuals of all ages evidencing a wide variety of speech, language, learning, and hearing problems. The program stresses the application of theory through work in the University's clinics, as well as in clinical placements throughout the state. Thesis and a non-thesis options are available. Students are prepared as speech-language pathologists to provide direct and consultative services in educational and medical settings. The course of study emphasizes physiological, behavioral, neurological, and psychological dimensions of normal development, fundamental communication processes, and disorders of communication.