Speech Language Pathology (MSLP)

MSLP 5000. Neurological Bases of Speech, Hearing and Language. 3 Credit Hours.

This course presents neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and the structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous system that form the neurologic foundation for speech, hearing, and language processes.

MSLP 5001. Social Communication Disorders. 3 Credit Hours.

This course addresses theoretical models, current research, and their application to normal development and social communication deficits. It focuses on functional assessments and intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and/or other social communication deficits.

MSLP 5002. Speech Sound Disorders. 3 Credit Hours.

This course addresses the development and disorders of articulation and phonology in pediatric populations. Theories, current assessment batteries, and procedures of contemporary interventions are discussed.

MSLP 5003. Audiological Service Delivery in Speech-Language Pathology Laboratory. 1 Credit Hour.

This course reviews the basics of hearing science and aural rehabilitation. Content areas include types of hearing loss, forms of hearing assessment, and principles of intervention and rehabilitation. Skills related to participating in hearing screening and evaluation and rehabilitative strategies for practicing speech-language pathologists are addressed.

MSLP 5004. Research Methods. 3 Credit Hours.

This course addresses the skills needed to understand and critique research reports. It discusses the principles and criteria for evaluating published research, including statistical analyses, validity issues, and evidence-based practice.

MSLP 5005. Clinical Methods in Speech-Language Pathology 1. 2 Credit Hours.

This is the first of the two courses taught in the simulated student clinical setting. This course focuses on basic clinical methods and skills for beginning graduate students in speech-language pathology with an emphasis on assessment. Students will practice administering, scoring, and interpreting standardized tests. Clinical note-writing and documentation are modeled and discussed.

MSLP 5006. Aphasia and Related Disorders. 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines adult-onset aphasia and related language disorders. The content areas include theoretical foundations, pathophysiology, symptomatology, assessment and differential diagnosis, and clinical management.

MSLP 5007. Motor Speech Disorders. 3 Credit Hours.

This course addresses motor speech disorders- apraxia of Speech and dysarthria. The content areas include theoretical models, neuropathophysiology, symptomatology, various instruments and tests for assessment, differential diagnosis, and clinical management.

MSLP 5008. Language Disorders in Children: Preschool and School Age. 3 Credit Hours.

This course addresses language development and disorders in preschool, school-age, and adolescent children and adolescents. The content areas include underlying etiologies, clinical characteristics, assessment batteries, and evidence-based intervention strategies for primary and secondary language learners.

MSLP 5009. Dysphagia in Adults and Children. 3 Credit Hours.

This course addresses swallowing disorders in both adults and children in various populations across the age span. Content areas covered include normal anatomy and physiology of swallowing, evaluation of disordered oropharyngeal swallowing using instrumental and non-instrumental examination tools, including videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) and flexible endoscopic examination for swallowing (FEES) procedures, and evidence-based treatment strategies for swallowing disorders.

MSLP 5010. Clinical Methods in Speech-Language Pathology 2. 2 Credit Hours.

This is the second of the two courses taught in the simulated clinical setting. It focuses on advanced clinical methods and skills for beginning graduate students with an emphasis on intervention. Topics covered include various published and evidence-based clinical protocols and operational procedures in management.

MSLP 5011. Evidence-Based Practice, Professional Issues, and Ethics. 2 Credit Hours.

This course provides an overview of professional issues for speech-language pathologists. Content areas include principles of evidence-based practice, regulatory, licensure and scope of practice issues, professional ethics, health care reimbursement, risk management, and other current professional and legal matters related to practicing speech-language pathologists.

MSLP 5012. Cognition and Communicative Disorders. 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines normal cognition and the impacts of aging, dementia, and traumatic brain injury on cognitive communication. It addresses the assessment and management of communication disorders arising from these conditions.

MSLP 5013. Voice and Resonance Disorders. 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines the acoustic, perceptual, and physiological parameters in normal and abnormal voice production and resonance. It addresses the differential diagnosis and management of hyperfunctional, psychogenic, and organic voice disorders. For resonance disorders, the course addresses embryology, anatomy, and physiology of normal and abnormal development of orofacial structures, cleft-palate and craniofacial anomalies in various syndromes, and their effects on speech, hearing, and language function.

MSLP 5014. Fluency Disorders: Theory and Practice. 3 Credit Hours.

This course addresses childhood-onset and adult-onset fluency disorders. Content areas include the identification of typical and atypical dysfluency in children, the determination of various linguistic, developmental, physiological, and psychological aspects associated with developmental stuttering, and differential diagnosis of adult-onset neurogenic and psychogenic stuttering. Anatomical and functional changes in neuroimaging studies associated with fluent and stuttered speech are reviewed, and evidence-based treatment approaches are discussed.

MSLP 5015. Speech-Language Pathology Practicum 1. 4 Credit Hours.

This clinical practicum is designed to help beginning student clinicians meet the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's (ASHA) required number of clinical hours in different practicum settings. The clinic coordinator is responsible for procuring appropriate placements to best match students needs with clinical practicum sites. Practicum settings may include hospitals, medical centers/clinics, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, public and private schools, special needs schools, charter schools, and private practices. Prerequisites: MSLP 5005 and MSLP 5010.

MSLP 5101. Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides essential background on structural and functional components of the communicative act and swallowing mechanism, including respiration, phonation, resonation, articulation, neural processes, and deglutition.

MSLP 5102. Phonetics and Normal Articulation. 3 Credit Hours.

This course offers an essential background in articulatory phonetics, descriptive phonetics, clinical phonetics, and developmental phonology. Specific materials may cover the basic articulatory process, acoustic characteristics, phonetic principles, pronunciation rules, segmental and suprasegmental features, the use of diacritics and IPA, and in-class practice of phonetic transcription.

MSLP 5103. Normal Language Development. 3 Credit Hours.

This course offers a basic introduction to language development from birth through adolescence, principles of language requisition, and language differences related to cultural diversity. Corequisites: MSLP 5102.

MSLP 5104. Speech and Hearing Science. 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces fundamental processes underlying the acoustic and physiological aspects of speech production and perception and the principles and methods of quantifying various speech disorders. Corequisites: MSLP 5102.

MSLP 5105. Introduction to Audiology. 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces the anatomy and physiology of hearing and balance systems, auditory and balance disorders, and hearing evaluation for adults and children. Corequisites: MSLP 5102, MSLP 5104.

MSLP 6000. Augmentative and Alternative Communication. 2 Credit Hours.

This course introduces current methods and basic strategies associated with augmentative and alternative communication aids and approaches in patients with varying types of communicative disorders. The course addresses the knowledge and skills required to assess and identify potential AAC users, decision-making, and instructional development and implementation.

MSLP 6001. Cultural and Linguistic Diversity. 3 Credit Hours.

This course addresses the cultural and linguistic diversity relevant to clinical practice in the profession of speech-language pathology. Students acquire a knowledge base regarding the interaction of culture, dialects, and multilingualism with communication disorders and apply it to clinical situations.

MSLP 6002. Head Neck Cancer, Tracheostomy, and Mechanical Ventilation. 3 Credit Hours.

This is a two-part course. Part I covers the assessment and management of speech, voice, and swallowing disorders resulting from head and neck cancer. The voice and speech changes resulting from head and neck surgeries and treatment strategies are discussed. Part II covers the unique challenges of evaluation and treatment of speech and voice impairments related to tracheostomy tube placement and/or ventilator support. A basic understanding of various tracheostomy tubes, one-way speaking valves, and ventilators/ventilator settings is reviewed, and short- and long-term options for communication are discussed.

MSLP 6003. Applied Topics in Communication Disorders and Sciences. 2 Credit Hours.

In this course, special topics related to scientific, clinical, and professional issues in speech-language pathology are examined using a variety of formats, including guest speakers in student development sessions, clinical rounds, and journal clubs. The development of oral presentation skills and analytical and clinical problem-solving skills are emphasized.

MSLP 6004. Speech-Language Pathology Practicum 2. 4 Credit Hours.

This clinical practicum is designed to help graduate student clinicians meet the required number of clinical hours required by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) in different practicum settings. The clinic coordinator is responsible for procuring appropriate placements to match the needs of students and clinical practicum sites. Practicum settings may include hospitals, medical centers/clinics, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, public and private schools, special needs schools, charter schools, and private practices. Prerequisites: MSLP 5015.

MSLP 6005. Speech-Language Pathology Advanced Practicum. 8 Credit Hours.

This is a full-time externship designed to help students meet the required number of clinical hours required by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) in different practicum settings. The clinic coordinator is responsible for procuring appropriate placements to match the needs of students and clinical practicum sites. Practicum settings may include hospitals, medical centers/clinics, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, public and private schools, special needs schools, charter schools, and private practices. Prerequisites: MSLP 5015 and MSLP 6004.

MSLP 7091. Advanced Topics in Communication Sciences and Disorders. 1-9 Credit Hours.

This course is an independent study of topics of current interest in the rehabilitation sciences. Includes study of current research and important new developments in specific areas of practice and research. Can be repeated for up to 9 credit hours.