Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology: Curriculum

A study of the anatomic and physiologic bases for the development and use of speech, language, and hearing. The course focuses on the central and peripheral auditory mechanisms of the human body, and on the respiratory, phonatory, and articulatory mechanisms required for speech production.

Application of the scientific method to the studies of hearing, speech perception, and production. Topics include the introduction to the nature of sound, acoustic theories of speech perception and production, recording and analysis using acoustic instrumentation and/or programs, and clinical application of these concepts.

A study of phonetic theories and the use of International Phonetic Alphabet symbols in analyzing, categorizing, and transcribing the sounds of the world’s languages, focusing on American English. The course emphasizes understanding the processes involved in the production of specific phonemes. The laboratory section of the course focuses on developing students’ skills in broad and narrow transcription.

An examination of early language development research in phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. Theories of language acquisition and implications for practice are examined. Particular attention is given to the role of adults in language development and to the relationship between language development and cognitive development. Also listed as Education 311.

The study of the classification of hearing disorders and the behavioral and electrophysiological measurement of hearing, including subjective and objective testing procedures. Prerequisite: SPAUD 210.

Note: SPAUD 322 is a combination of SPAUD 218 and SPAUD 344 and satisfies both requirements for our MA applicants.

The study of the fundamental aspects of auditory rehabilitation, including individual and group amplification systems, auditory training, speech reading, and counseling with children and adults. Prerequisites: SPAUD 210, 217, 218 and 344.

Select a biology course to fulfill the program prerequisites.

Select a statistics course to fulfill the program prerequisites.

Select a social science or behavioral science course to fulfill the program prerequisites.

Select a physics or chemistry course to fulfill the program prerequisites.

A study of the nature, assessment and treatment of language disorders in infants, toddlers, and preschool children. Students learn language assessment practices and treatment strategies that are developmentally appropriate for young children that concentrate on improving communication between young children and their communication partners. Strategies for working with families with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are addressed throughout the course.

You will continue to learn about language disorders in this follow-up course to SPAUD 503. What you learn in this course is important for your work in the schools, but it also is essential for pediatric clinical practice in just about any setting. You will learn about receptive and expressive language development for school-age children. You also will learn about the impact of language disorders on academic success, and to minimize that impact, you will learn important ways of collaborating with teachers and other professionals to help you deliver interprofessional, curriculum-based services for students. To become knowledgeable for serving all students, you will be spending a fair amount of time in this class learning why and how to implement ecological assessments and interventions for students from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

This graduate-level course emphasizes your role as a future speech-language pathologist in clinical research. You will review common quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research designs and their related data analysis techniques. You will learn the principles for evaluating research designs, statistical analyses, issues of validity, and research ethics needed for critical analyses of existing research reports in speech-language pathology. You will learn how to use existing and future research findings to inform your clinical practices by completing a prospectus for a research project.

Students will learn about the nature, prevention, assessment, and treatment of aphasia. Cognitive and social aspects of aphasia, such as the impact of aphasia on the family, as well as the psychological, neurological, linguistic, and cultural correlates of aphasia will be included.

Students learn about the nature, assessment and treatment of speech disorders in children. Students review normal aspects of articulation and phonological development, learn the causes for speech sound disorders, and discuss phonological assessment practices and treatment strategies, as related to evidence-based practice guidelines. Prerequisite: acceptance into the SPAUD MA program.

Study of the etiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of fluency disorders in children and adults. Fluency disorders and their impact on individuals across the lifespan will be examined. Students learn methods of formal and informal assessment techniques, different theories and practices for treatment, counseling issues, and preventative strategies for fluency disorders in adults and children. Prerequisite: acceptance into the SPAUD MA program.

This course is a study of the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) assessment and treatment needs of individuals with developmental and acquired disabilities across the age continuum. Students are required to participate in hands-on activities to gain experience with various methods of AAC strategies and devices.

This graduate-level seminar focuses on serving individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) across the lifespan. The course examines evidenced-based assessment and intervention practices for clinical work in all setttings students are likely to work. The organization of the course is designed to provide students with practical knowledge and skills for their future vocations working with individuals, families, communities, and other professionals. Prerequisite: acceptance into the SPAUD MA program.

Our course will focus on serving persons with developmental delays. We will learn more about the characteristics, assessment and key interventions for two high-incidence populations, persons with autism spectrum disorders and persons with Down syndrome, that you are likely serve in any clinical setting. I designed the course to provide practical knowledge, presentation skills and materials that you can use in your career and for educating others in your clinical practice.

In this course, you will primarily study the different motor speech disorders: dysathrias and apraxia of speech. Neuroanatomical and physiological basis of speech production will be reviewed, which will provide the basis for comprehending the etiology and nature of motor speech disorders. Topics that will be covered include speech and motor characteristics associated with each of the dysarthrias and apraxia of speech, evaluation of motor speech disorders, general considerations for management, differential diagnosis, and treatments specific to each of the motor speech disorders. Knowledge and skills assessment techniques will include written exams, assignments, quizzes, and completion of a case study.

In this course, you will primarily study about the nature, assessment, and management of dysphonia (voice disorders). The anatomy and physiology of the voice mechanism will be explored, which will provide the basis for comprehending the etiology and nature of voice disorders in adults and children. Topics that will be covered include normal voice production, classification and nature of voice disorders, evaluation of voice, and management of voice disorders (counseling, voice facilitating approaches, therapy for special populations). Knowledge and skills assessment techniques will include written exams, assignments, and completion of a case study.

The student will learn the characteristics, underlying pathology, evaluation, and treatment of communication disorders associated with acquired cognitive impairment including dementia and traumatic brain injury. The student will analyze, synthesize, and evaluate research on the nature, prevention, assessment and intervention of cognitive communication disorders in adults. In depth study of the cognitive and social aspects of communication as well as the psychological, neurologic, linguistic, and cultural correlates of adult communication disorders associated with dementia, agnosia, non-dominant hemisphere injury, and traumatic brain injury. There are three main sections of study for this course: Part One focuses on medical aspects and theories of cognitive functioning; Part Two describes the nature, diagnosis, assessment and treatment of traumatic brain injury; Part Three includes the study of the nature, diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of right hemisphere disorders; and Part Four focuses on the nature, diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of dementia.

In this graduate course you will study the nature, assessment, and treatment of swallowing disorders in adults and children. Topics that will be covered include the anatomy and physiology of normal swallowing, comparative understanding of the abnormal swallow, etiologic factors related to the nature of dysphagia, dysphagia assessment and management, ethical issues, etc. Students will integrate evidence-based practice to apply basic entry level knowledge and skills of dysphagia management within the medical setting. SPAUD 523 satisfies the requirement of the core curriculum.

This course will introduce the student to disorders related to cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial anomalies. We will examine evaluation and treatment of cleft palate and craniofacial anomalies, with emphasis on surgery and speech-language pathology.

This course provides clinical experiences in which students work directly with individuals with various communicative disorders in the Calvin Speech and Hearing Clinic. It also includes a clinical seminar session to present cases and discuss Christian perspectives of practice. Students take this course in the fall, spring and summer semesters of their fourth year. Prerequisite: acceptance into the SPAUD MA program. Course Fee: $920.

This course provides supervised clinical experiences in which students work directly with individuals with various communicative disorders in the Calvin Speech and Hearing Clinic. It also includes a clinical seminar session to present cases and discuss Christian perspectives of practice. Prerequisite: acceptance into the SPAUD MA program. Course Fee: $920.

This course provides the third of three supervised clinical experiences in which students work directly with individuals with various communicative disorders in the Calvin Speech and Hearing Clinic. It also includes a clinical seminar session to present cases and discuss Christian perspectives of practice. Course Fee: $920.

This course provides students with continued clinical learning through supervised experiences in selected off-campus sites. The course includes an advanced clinical seminar session to present cases and discuss Christian perspectives of practice. Current research and technological advances are considered for clinical application.

This course provides you with continued clinical learning through supervised experiences in selected off-campus sites. The class time on Friday is to support your learning in your off-campus externship and expose you to clinical issues related to ethics, faith in practice, licensure issues and problem solving for difficult situations you encounter in your externships. Topics to be covered include Praxis review sessions, exposure to the IEP process, building your portfolio of treatment tasks for multiple settings, CFY and professional interviewing, resumes, documentation under legal review. Knowledge and skills assessment techniques include assessments from off-campus supervisors, assignments and an essay.

This capstone course examines the application of a Reformed worldview to understanding communication and the consequences of communicative disorders. It focuses on the ways in which speech pathologists define professional activity and on the responsibilities that Christians have to work in and through this profession. Students expand their knowledge of professional ethics through a case study approach and address issues such as evidence-based practice, reimbursement issues, and conflicts of professional interest. Prerequisite: acceptance into the SPAUD MA program.