The Speech Language Pathology Department provides information about speech and language pathology and audiology to students who have an interest in this field. Instruction in this program is balanced between the theoretical and the pragmatic. Students study the causes, characteristics, and therapies for various disorders of communication.
Most students select this major in preparation for further study of communicative disorders in graduate school. Admission to graduate programs in speech-language pathology and audiology are highly competitive. Following graduate school, they may enter the field as speech-language pathologists or audiologists. Others choose the major to gather information that is beneficial to their professional and personal lives.
Saint Mary’s has a long history of providing quality international programs as an essential part of our educational mission—forming women leaders who will make a difference in the world. As this world becomes increasingly interdependent, the College offers an expanding range of semester, year, semester break, and summer study and service programs in a wide variety of countries, and encourages students to take advantage of them. Learn more about the various Study Abroad opportunities.
Some professions (e.g. nursing, teaching, social work, speech therapy, accounting, etc.) require specific requirements for licensure and/or hiring (e.g. acceptable criminal background check, sex offender check, drug and alcohol testing, citizenship or permanent resident status documentation, valid immigration status for non-US citizens, valid social security number, etc.). Such requirements may also apply to required clinical and fieldwork, or other out-of-class room experience necessary to complete degree requirements in the majors related to these professions. These requirements are determined by laws and regulations at both the state and federal levels and are subject to change. Saint Mary’s College strongly urges all admitted and current students to research and understand the appropriate requirements for their intended course of study and profession. Compliance with these requirements is the responsibility of the student and the graduate. You should become informed and continue to monitor such requirements as laws and other legal requirements are subject to change.
There are several paths to completion in Speech Language Pathology.
Stacy Betz
353 Spes Unica Hall
574-284-4028
S. Betz, E. Connelly, C. Corso, S. Latham, N. Tahmasebifard, K. Thomas, and J. Voor
Students will exhibit the knowledge and skills required in the discipline of Speech Language Pathology:
A study of the causes, characteristics, and treatments of speech, language, and hearing disorders. Course content also includes speech and language development and suggestions for living and working with those who have communicative disorders.
Introduction to basic sign language. American Sign Language syntax and vocabulary are emphasized as well as sign communication, which focuses on the native language of the Deaf. Appreciation and awareness of Deaf culture is a major consideration within the course.
A survey of the anatomy and physiology for respiration, phonation, articulation, the nervous system, and hearing. Areas of study will include skeletal structures, muscles, tendons, nerves and circulation necessary for speech and hearing. Prerequisite SLP 220.
A study of the basic principles of speech production: anatomy and physiology of the speech mechanism, phonetic principles of the International Phonetic Alphabet, application of phonetic theory and dialects as represented by phonetics.
A study of the development of oral language communicative competence in infants, toddlers, and children. Course content focuses on the development of the linguistic domains of form (phonology, morphology, and syntax), content (semantics) and use (pragmatics). In addition, social, cognitive, and neurological aspects are addressed. Prerequisite: SLP 220.
This course is designed to further develop ASL skills learned in ASL 1. Along with some review, new content and vocabulary will be introduced as well as important issues and information related to the Deaf/Hard of Hearing community. Prerequisite: SLP 224
An introduction to speech and hearing science, including acoustics, speech production, and instrumentation used in the study of speech and hearing science. Prerequisite: SLP 220.
This course provides the student with information about the process of evaluating and diagnosing speech-language disorders. A broad range of information and laboratory experience relevant to evaluation procedures in speech and language pathology is provided. Areas of emphasis include: the diagnostic process, collection of intake information, common assessment procedures, assessment in specific disorder areas, language sample collection and analysis, report writing, and standardized test administration. Prerequisites: SLP 220, SLP 230, SLP 240, and SLP 310.
This course is designed to familiarize the student with the field of audiology in general and provide the foundations for understanding the auditory system, performing and interpreting basic hearing tests as they relate to auditory disorders, and gaining an appreciation for the profession of audiology. Prerequisite: SLP 220
This course is designed to introduce you to the study of normal and disordered articulation. You will gain familiarity with traditional views of articulation disorders and their treatment as well as current treatment methods derived from the study of phonology. Provides the opportunity to develop and analyze therapy programs for speech sound disorders from a variety of etiologically defined groups. Prerequisites: SLP 240, SLP 310, and SLP 334.
This course will provide introductory knowledge and skills to understanding adult acquired communication disorders. The course content will focus on disordered communication processes associated with acquired neurogenic disorders (i.e., stroke (left and right hemisphere disorders), traumatic brain injury, dementia, and neurodegenerative disease processes (i.e., Parkinson’s Disease, ALS, etc.). The social, financial, cultural issues that are impacted due to these disorders will be emphasized.
This course will provide introductory knowledge and skills to understanding the neuroscience of medical rehabilitation. The course content will focus on medical terminology, examples of typical and atypical communication and swallowing disorders in the health care setting, related anatomy and physiology of such disorders, ethical decision-making theories, counseling, end of life issues, healthcare management of older adults, national trends in neuro rehabilitation, and as applicable evidence from the scientific literature. The social, financial, cultural issues that are impacted will be emphasized.
This course provides the student with information about clinical methods and intervention procedures for individuals with developmental and acquired communication disorders. In addition, a minimum of 25 supervised observation hours are required. Prerequisites: SLP 220, SLP 230, SLP 240, SLP 310, SLP 330, and SLP 334.
This course introduces students to the theories and procedures used to provide aural/audiological rehabilitation to children and adults who have hearing loss and to provide concomitant services to their family members. Prerequisites: SLP 340
This course examines the background, values/beliefs, and language issues of culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Specifically, Black, Latino, Native American, and Asian populations are studied to aid in distinguishing language differences from disorders.
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to research in the fields of speech language pathology and audiology. Through participation in original experimental or theoretical investigations and in collaboration with a member of the faculty, students will relate research to clinical practice, both from a historical perspective and a contemporary, evidence-based practice perspective. Students will enhance their research skills, and hone their clinical and research interests and professional development through this course. Repeatable to 6 credit hours.
Topics of special interest in communicative disorders not covered in the regular department offerings. May be repeated with different topic.
Students may carry independent study with an approved instructor. Content is dependent on student need and interest. Prerequisite:Department Approval.
Sample four year plan.
Officially accepted into the major at the end of the sophomore year if all foundation courses have been taken.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credits | |
| SLP 220 | Introduction to Communicative Disorders (fall preferred, may take spring) | 3 |
| Supporting course (PSYC 156 or PSYC 157 recommended) | 3 | |
| Supporting course (NSN or NSL recommended) | ||
| Credits | 6 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SLP 220 Intro to Communicative Disorders (If you didn’t take in fall) | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| SLP 240 | Phonetics | 3 |
| Supporting course (PSYC 305 Lifespan Developmental recommended) | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SLP 230 | Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism | 3 |
| SLP 310 | Child Language Development | 3 |
| SLP 330 | Speech and Hearing Sciences | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| SLP 334 | Evaluation Procedures in Speech and Language Pathology | 3 |
| SLP 340 | Audiology for the Speech-Language Pathologist | 3 |
| SLP 450 | Multi-Cultural Populations: Communication Disorders Across Cultures | 3 |
| Statistics (SOC 372 or PSYC 324) | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SLP 412 | Clinical Methods and Supervised Observation | 3 |
| SLP 350 | Speech Sound Disorders | 3 |
| SLP Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| SLP 485 | SLP Clinical Practicum (1/2 of the seniors will take in the fall. The other half will take in the spring semester.) | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SLP 420 | Aural Rehabilitation | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 48 | |
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