M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology

This course involves the study of the processes and variations of speech, language, communication and pre-literacy skills in typically developing infants and children. Emphasis will be given on the assessment of and intervention with pre-school children with language and learning disorders. Units include interdisciplinary views of the child with speech, language, and communication challenges; issues in speech, language, communication, social-emotional, culturally diversity and cognitive development.

This course provides basic information about how speech is produced, the nature of the speech signal, linguistic and phonetic frameworks for viewing speech, the anatomy and physiology of the speech production and auditory system, and processes of speech perception.

This course introduces graduate students to clinical procedures in speech-language pathology across the nine communication and swallowing areas outlined in the ASHA standards. Topics include prevention, screening, assessment, and intervention. Evidence-based practice is introduced as a framework for clinical decision making and students engage in consuming research to inform their work. The course also reviews statistical concepts and terminology relevant to clinical practice.

Provides information concerning etiology, assessment, and treatment of speech and language disruptions associated with various neurological disorders. Areas to be addressed include: review of neural anatomy and physiology, description of right hemisphere communication disorders, cognitive language disorders secondary to head injury and dementia, and apraxia of speech.

This course focuses on the clinical application of the principles of sign communication in the field of Speech-Language Pathology/Aural Rehabilitation.

This course involves study of the processes and variations of speech, language, communication and literacy skills in typically developing children and adolescents. Emphasis will be given on the assessment of and intervention with school-age children and adolescents with language and learning disorders. Units include interdisciplinary views of and issues with the child with speech, language, and communication challenges; social-emotional, cultural diversity and cognitive development.

Motor Speech Disorders is a graduate level course involving the study of speech disorders resulting from central and/or peripheral nervous system damage. The focus of the course is differential diagnosis and management of motor speech disorders in children and adults including the dysarthrias and acquired apraxia of speech. This course will integrate academic and clinical aspects of motor speech disorders.

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of swallowing disorders (dysphagia) and current approaches to prevention, assessment and treatment of patients with dysphagia. Included in the course topics are: anatomy and physiology of the normal and abnormal swallow with attention to each stage of the swallow; swallowing issues unique to pediatric and adult patients, and issues with caretakers within and across cultures; and contemporary research issues and outcomes. These topics will be integrated to provide students with basic knowledge and skills needed to assess and implement a treatment plan for patients with dysphagia.

This second clinical practicum at the Gallaudet Hearing and Speech Center provides students with at least three, individuals, small group and/or diagnostics with communication disorders, differences, delays, and/or swallowing disorders. Students are also involved clinical documentation and in evaluating their clinical skills over the course of the semester.

The focus of this course is on clinical competencies in aural rehabilitation of deaf, Deaf, and hard-of-hearing adults. Special emphasis is given to the clinical procedures used in the Gallaudet Hearing and Speech Center and AR competencies needed by both SLPs and AUDs to work with adults who acquire hearing loss across the lifespan.

The focus of this course is on clinical competencies in aural (re)habilitation of deaf, Deaf, and hard-of-hearing children and their families. Special emphasis is given to the clinical procedures used in the Gallaudet Hearing and Speech Center and AR competencies needed by both AUDs and SLPs to work with children with congenital and acquired hearing loss. The course has a strong interdisciplinary focus, considering ethnic and cultural issues in rehabilitation.

This course focuses on voice and resonance (anatomy and physiology, including pitch, loudness, and quality), pathologies that influence voice and resonance production, strategies for assessing and for intervention that require cross-professional collaboration, and knowledge of evidence-based outcomes; issues in laryngectomy rehabilitation, tracheostomy and ventilator-dependent communication alternatives and diverse cultural issues, and a wide range of assessment and treatment interventions applicable to children and adults.

Study of the research and principles associated with symptomatology, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of speech sound disorders in children and adults. Emphasis is on a broad understanding of the effect of speech sound disorders, including multicultural issues.

This fourth practicum, usually an off-campus internship experience, provides students with supervised practice in either a pediatric or adult placement specializing in one or more of the nine communication and swallowing disorders common to speech-language pathology caseloads.

Evaluation of research in audiology and communication disorders. The course describes how to read, understand, and evaluate research appearing in the literature, and provides an introduction to research design. Although the major focus is for the research consumer, many of the principles presented will apply to the design and implementation of research.

This course addresses assessment and intervention of individuals with complex communication disorders, including technologies appropriate for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and evidence-based practices with AAC technologies.

The course is designed to help audiologists and speech-language pathologists work more effectively with their clients in addressing the biopsychosocial effects of hearing loss and other communication disorders. Students will learn about the impact of hearing loss and communication disorders on infants, children, adults, older adults, and significant others. Students will develop a interviewing and specific counseling skills to help clients address their hearing loss and communication-related needs. This course will serve to provide a theoretical framework, practical strategies and personal reflection for working and providing services with cultural and linguistic awareness, knowledge, competency and proficiency.

Study of the etiology, theory, nature, development, and treatment of fluency disorders.

This fifth practicum, usually an off-campus internship experience, provides students with supervised practice in either a pediatric or adult placement specializing in one or more of the nine communication and swallowing disorders common to speech-language pathology caseloads.