SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY
PROGRAM OVERVIEW

An introduction to speech-language pathology clinical practicum focused on management of speech and language disorders in a variety of populations. Basic foundational principles, policies, and professional considerations will be presented. Emphasis will be placed on clinical methods and procedures including: development of therapy targets, generating behavioral objectives, writing lesson/session plans, treatment plans, and SOAP notes. Students are scheduled to accrue the 25 observation hours required for certification through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

An orientation to graduate education emphasizing higher-order learning (i.e., application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation). Topics include academic conduct, computer-assisted literature retrieval, scholarly writing, and APA style conventions.

Bases of speech and voice production with an emphasis on instrumental approaches to clinical appraisal. Laboratory experiences highlight acoustic, physiologic, and psychoacoustic measurement procedures.

An introduction to the scientific study of language, this course presents an overview of linguistic terminology and subsystems, sociolinguistics, and psycholinguistics, with emphasis on normal aspects of language acquisition. Implications of linguistic theory for the practice of speech-language pathology will be emphasized.

Articulatory phonetics and transcription using the International Phonetic Alphabet, including extensions for nonnormal speech. Overview of normal aspects of articulation and phonology including coarticulation, segmental and nonsegmental phonology, and phonological acquisition. Includes laboratory exercises.

Introduction to the etiologies influencing hearing loss and current audiological assessment procedures. This course will focus on screening techniques for use in various settings with different age groups and on understanding the impact of varying degrees and configurations of hearing loss on speech and language.

This course will focus on the habilitation/rehabilitation of individuals with hearing impairments. Varying procedures and rationales for management in a variety of settings will be discussed. Psychological, social, and educational aspects of hearing impairment in children and adults will be addressed.

Varying types of language impairment that are found in preschoolers and school-aged children are addressed. The course covers standardized and non-standardized assessment procedures, intervention techniques, and models of collaboration with teachers, special educators, related service providers, and families.

This course will focus on the instrumentation, guidelines and techniques for audiological screening in various settings with different age groups. This course will focus on the following topics: principles and guidelines of audiological screening; hearing screening techniques for newborns, children (birth to 18), adults and special populations; and middle ear screening techniques for children and special populations.

Survey of acquired language and cognitive disorders in adults. Topics include anatomic bases, etiology, terminology, classification, and social implications. Assessment and documentation procedures are reviewed. Treatment approaches and their efficacy are described.

Overview of speech sound production disorders and their etiology in children. Procedures for the assessment and phonological analysis of child speech. Treatment approaches, with emphasis on the establishment, generalization, and maintenance phases.

Professional ethics and other speech-language pathology issues including trends in professional practice, academic program accreditation standards, licensure and clinical certification requirements, ASHA practice policies and guidelines, reimbursement procedures, and other professional issues.

An overview of evidence-based practice as applied to speech-language pathology. Topics include retrieval, evaluation, and application of evidence for clinical practice.

Study of research in speech-language pathology: ethics, locating and using information, qualitative and quantitative designs, critically appraising evidence, reporting and disseminating research. Foundation and understanding of evidence-based practice and research utilization. Application of research to clinical decisions.

Advanced study of articulatory phonetics and transcription using the International Phonetic Alphabet, including extensions for nonnormal speech. Includes laboratory exercises.

Anatomy and physiology of the systems involved in speech, language, swallowing, and hearing. The nervous, respiration, phonatory-articulatory, and auditory systems are addressed through classroom, independent learning and laboratory experiences.

This course will focus on motor speech disorders (e.g., dysarthria and apraxia of speech). The neuroanatomy and neurophysiology underlying these disorders will be explored. The assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of motor speech disorders will be approached from both theoretical and clinical perspectives.

The theoretical foundations of dysfluent behavior will be reviewed. Differential diagnosis and principles of therapeutic techniques for children and adults will be studied. Current relevant issues in this area will be discussed.

This course addresses the nature, course, evaluation, and treatment of voice and related disorders in children and adults.

The diagnostic process as it pertains to all speech-language pathology disorders will be presented. The course covers application of evaluation principles and methods of both formal and informal measurement in speech-language pathology.

This course will explore the assessment and treatment of persons requiring nonspeech communication.

This course enables students to explore an area of interest with faculty guidance. May be repeated for a total of 6 credit hours. Requires program director approval.

Overview of regional and social dialects, linguistic variation, and multilingualism. Issues related to the assessment, analysis, and differentiation of communicative differences and disorders. Ethical and professional principles guiding culturally appropriate management of communication disorders.

This one-hour course is designed to instruct students about the principles of counseling for individuals with communication or swallowing disorders and their families throughout the client’s lifespan.  Theories and related methods will be discussed and applied to clinical cases.

Seminar will address a variety of topics in speech-language pathology. Topics may vary each semester. May be repeated for credit when the topic is different.

Lectures will cover anatomy and physiology of the normal swallow, abnormal physiological and anatomical conditions leading to dysphagia, and assessment and treatment strategies for swallowing disorders.

Symptomology, etiology, assessment, and treatment of communication disorders associated with cleft palate and craniofacial syndromes. Multidisciplinary management including medical and dental care.

Research project culminating in an original contribution to the scientific literature that is of publishable quality. Approval of the student’s thesis committee is required prior to enrollment. This course may be repeated for credit, although no more than 6 credit hours will count toward the degree. Students must be registered for thesis credit every semester until the thesis is finished.

Supervised on-site clinical experiences for speech-language pathology students.

Supervised on-site clinical experiences for speech-language pathology students.

Supervised off-site clinical experiences for speech-language pathology students.

Supervised off-site clinical experiences for speech-language pathology students.

Supervised clinical experiences for speech-language pathology students.

Structured activities in preparation for comprehensive and PRAXIS examinations in speech-language pathology. Includes self evaluation, review of key topics, and strategies for taking the examinations. Practice problems and constructive feedback are provided.

In partnership with Centenary College of Louisiana, this program enables highly motivated individuals to complete a Bachelor Science of Psychology at Centenary in three years and a Master of Communication Disorders at LSU Health Shreveport in two years.

Interested individuals are encouraged to contact:

Dr. Amy Hammond at Centenary College (318) 841-7267, or
Dr. Sandra Hayes at LSU Health Shreveport (318) 813-4204

Program Requirements

Centenary’s 3/2 Speech-Language Pathology Program provides a strong liberal arts preparation at the undergraduate level to enable students to succeed in their graduate coursework and in their future careers. Centenary’s 3/2 Program includes:

• Undergraduate psychology major
• Undergraduate core and supportive courses, including mathematics, biology, physical science, and communication
• Graduate-level coursework at LSU Health Shreveport

Graduate Admission Requirements

Admission to the LSU Health Shreveport Speech-Language Pathology Program is guaranteed, but Centenary students must:

• Formally apply to the LSU Health Shreveport Speech-Language Pathology Program
• Have a Centenary cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.4
• Have a General GRE (Verbal + Quantitative) score of at least 300
• Obtain a recommendation from the psychology department chair