Speech-Language Pathology

The field of Speech-Language Pathology continues to grow and expand, and speech-language pathologists increasingly are in high demand for positions in both clinical and educational settings. Likewise, there continues to be a shortage of well-trained speech-language pathologists who can effectively meet the developmental, communicative, and educational needs of young children with hearing loss, especially those who are acquiring spoken language.

Because of innovative practices in universal newborn hearing screening, early diagnosis of hearing loss, the use of advanced hearing technology (i.e., hearing aids and cochlear implants), and enrollment in family-centered early intervention, most children with even profound hearing loss can achieve spoken language outcomes that are on par with their hearing peers by the time they enter kindergarten or first grade.

You can make this scenario happen for more children and their families. You can choose to obtain additional training through the Graduate Studies Program in Auditory Learning and Spoken Language and become a highly sought-after speech-language pathologist who has the knowledge and training to deliver exceptional services to young children with hearing loss and their families.

How to apply to the Graduate Studies Program in Auditory Learning and Spoken Language

Students who apply and are accepted into the graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology may apply for enrollment into the Graduate Studies Program in Auditory Learning and Spoken Language.  Students interested in this unique training experience will be asked to write a letter of introduction explaining how they became interested in working with young children with hearing loss and why they should be accepted. Once all of the letters of application are received, a panel of faculty members will review the letters and formal interviews will be conducted. Students will be selected for the training based on their letters of application and how well they perform in their formal interviews. Because the Graduate Studies Program requires additional coursework, students will begin their coursework and practicum experiences during the summer after their acceptance into the graduate program.

Tuition and Financial Assistance

Students accepted into the Graduate Studies Program will receive a tuition waiver and a monthly stipend of $600.  Fees are not paid by the Program, and students are expected to pay those expenses. In return for the monthly stipend, students are expected to complete 15 hours of clinical practicum and research experiences each week. Sound Beginnings of Cache Valley, an early intervention program and preschool for children with hearing loss, will be the primary practicum site for graduate students in training. While the exact number will vary depending on your assignments, students should expect to complete approximately 8-10 hours each week in the planning and delivery of direct services to children with hearing loss and their families. The remaining 5-7 hours each week should be focused on developing a research project with a member of the COMD faculty that is related to childhood hearing loss.

Program of Study – Speech-Language Pathology
Graduate students in Speech-Language Pathology who are completing the Graduate Studies Program in Auditory Learning and Spoken Language will begin their studies one semester earlier during the summer. Students are expected to meet all of the requirements for the graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology, and the courses listed below are in addition to the regular graduate program. The practicum experiences listed below also are in addition to other clinical assignments and practicum experiences expected for graduation and state and national certification.

Summer 1
COMD 6340: Facilitating Auditory Learning & Spoken Language in Young Children
with Hearing Loss (3 credits)
COMD 6630: Teaching Speech to Children who are Deaf & Hard of Hearing (3 credits)
COMD 6320: Language & Emergent Literacy in Children with Hearing Loss (3 credits)
COMD 6100: Advanced Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (3 credits)

Fall 1
COMD 6850: Research Seminar in Auditory Learning & Spoken Language (1 credit)
COMD 6900: Family Centered Practices for Children with Hearing Loss (3 credits)
COMD 6100: Advanced Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (3 credits)

Spring  1
COMD 6850: Research Seminar in Auditory Learning & Spoken Language (1 credit)
COMD 6900: Multiple Disabilities & Hearing Loss in Children (3 credits)
COMD 6100: Advanced Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (3 credits)

Summer 2
COMD 6100: Advanced Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (3 credits)

Fall 2
COMD 7340: Pediatric Audiology (2 credits)
COMD 6100: Advanced Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (3 credits)

Spring 2
COMD 6300:  Externship in Auditory Learning & Spoken Language
COMD 7520:  Cochlear Implantation (2 credits)

Students who are interested in Speech-Language Pathology and wish to complete the Graduate Studies Program in Auditory Learning and Spoken Language, please contact Dr. K. Todd Houston at (435) 797-0434 or click here to send an e-mail.