Current Students

All of the students selected to participate in the Graduate Studies Program in Auditory Learning and Spoken Language are completing graduate degrees in Audiology, Early Childhood Special Education/Deaf Education, or Speech-Language Pathology. The Graduate Studies Program allows students to acquire the knowledge and skills to facilitate the acquisition of spoken language in young children with hearing loss. Because students from these different majors often take courses and complete practicum assignments together, an interdisciplinary service delivery model is supported. Likewise, strong bonds develop among the students as they learn to work together – often across disciplines – to provide innovative services to the children receiving services and their families.

Graduate students currently enrolled are:: 

Megan Mansfield completed her undergraduate degree in Communicative Disorders & Deaf Education at Utah State University. During her undergraduate studies, she became intrigued with the study of Audiology and enrolled in the Au.D. Program. While in the Graduate Studies Program, she’s had a variety of rewarding experiences working directly with children with hearing loss on her way to becoming an outstanding Pediatric Audiologist.

Megan states, “It’s so much more than a program. When you see a parent’s face light up in surprise and excitement as they hear their child say a new word or finally use their voice to ask for something they want, you realize that’s the reason you’re in the field. Having a parent thank you for helping their child speak…there’s nothing quite as rewarding as that.”

Graduate Student Profile - Speech Language Pathology

Nicole Martin completed her undergraduate degree in Special Education at Brigham Young University in Provo, UT and a second bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education at Utah State University. Nicole is using her background and experience as a special educator in the public schools as a foundation to develop new skills working with young children with hearing loss.

Nicole states, “I love this Graduate Studies Program!  I study and work closely with esteemed experts in the fields of auditory verbal therapy, speech-language pathology, and pediatric audiology.   The supportive faculty challenges us with a stimulating, cutting-edge curriculum which we immediately implement as we serve children and their families.  

It is wonderful to walk from the classroom right into the therapy room to put theory into practice.  The families we serve are truly remarkable.  That is the most inspiring part of the program:  we help lives change as children make the challenging journey to acquire spoken language. 

I appreciate the close camaraderie among the graduate students who will also be valuable professional associates in the future.  I will be an outstanding therapist because of what I have gained from my professors and my peers.  I feel indebted to each one of them. What a privilege it is to participate in this program. 
My exciting career has already started!”