Health Sciences: Speech, Language, And Hearing Sciences Course Descriptions

Graduate 2022-2023

SLP 501 Clinical Neuroanatomy & Neurophysiology (3)
This course focuses on mastering the anatomy and physiology of the human nervous system related to speech, language, and hearing mechanisms across the lifespan. Students will learn about common pathologies resulting from damage to the nervous system as well as typical age-related changes. Students will become familiar with methodologies used to investigate the nervous system related to communication disorders (e.g. MRI, fMRI, NIRS).

SLP 503 Early Language Disorders (3)
This course examines the basic theories, methods, and procedures used in the assessment and intervention of children from infancy to early childhood. Typical and atypical language development is reviewed. Common formal and informal assessment procedures for this age group are examined, as well as interpretation of these results. Evidence-based intervention strategies are discussed with a consideration for both clinician-driven and interdisciplinary approaches. Additionally, considerations for multicultural and multilingual issues that may influence diagnostic and treatment strategies are discussed.

SLP 504 Graduate Seminar (1)
The goal of this course is to introduce students to graduate school and provide advanced information regarding the practice of speech-language pathology. The soft skills necessary for academic and clinical success will be discussed. Regulatory processes for graduate school (e.g. documenting hours appropriately, privacy information, eligibility for CCC, licensing requirements and procedures, the Praxis examination, etc.) will be highlighted. Contemporary issues in speech-language pathology, including ethical practice and substance abuse issues will be addressed.

SLP 510 Research Methods and Application (3)
Students learn various research designs to guide evidence-based clinical practice. Students will develop clinical research questions, locate and interpret relevant scientific literature, and apply external research to their clinical questions. An emphasis is placed on critical thinking, synthesis of information, and clear written and oral expression. Students are also introduced to changing clinical practice through quality improvement and implementation science.

SLP 520 Clinical Speech Science (2)
In this course, students will complete an in-depth study of the acoustical properties of speech production and perception related to normal and disordered populations. The goal is to develop the skills and integration of widely available resources to facilitate best clinical practice for patients with speech and language disorders. Broad and narrow phonetic transcription using the International Phonetic Alphabet will also be reviewed.

SLP 531 Simulation & Integration I (3)
This course integrates theory taught in the classroom and hands-on clinical practice through various modes of simulation and debriefing practices. Specifically, in this course students will focus on skills related to basic clinical processes, hearing screening, and differentiating typical and atypical developmental skills.

SLP 532 Simulation & Integration II (2)
Prerequisite(s): SLP 531
This course integrates theory taught in the classroom and hands-on clinical practice through various modes of simulation and debriefing practices. Specifically, in this course students will focus on language disorders (developmental and acquired), literacy, and dysphagia.

SLP 533 Simulation & Integration III (2)
This course integrates theory taught in the classroom and hands-on clinical practice through various modes of simulation and debriefing practices. Specifically in this course, students will focus on skills related to the assessment and treatment of complex cases across the lifespan including fluency, voice and resonance disorders, and acquired speech and language disorders, as well as the counseling skills to support patients and families with these disorders.

SLP 541 School Age Language & Literacy Disorders (3)
Prerequisite(s): SLP 503
Students who complete this course will be able to integrate assessment and intervention principles for school-aged language and literacy disorders. Formal and informal assessment, including authentic and dynamic assessment tools and intervention procedures will be introduced. The role of executive functioning in assessment and treatment will also be discussed.

SLP 542 Speech Sound Disorders (3)
This course is designed to provide the foundation for the identification of and treatment of speech sound disorders in children including articulation disorders, phonological disorders, and childhood apraxia of speech. Typical speech sound development will be reviewed and students will learn to complete formal and informal assessments of speech sound production. Students will integrate evidence-based treatment approaches to plan and implement interventions for speech sound disorders. Individual, familial, cultural, and environmental considerations for assessment and treatment will be integrated.

SLP 543 Policy, Funding, and Advocacy in Speech-Language Pathology (2)
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) must address a variety of regulatory provisions related to procedures, polices, and funding across settings, including the public schools. This class will address funding mechanisms (public and private) and their relationships to state and federal requirements for SLP services across settings. Additionally, students will learn how to advocate for patients and families across settings.

SLP 544 Fluency & Counseling (2)
This course is designed to provide graduate students with an overview of stuttering theories, assessment, and treatment. Students will learn to assess and treat stuttering across the lifespan including organic and neurological etiologies. Treatment strategies, including counseling foundations and fluency-specific counseling strategies, will be discussed.

SLP 545 Management of Hearing Loss for SLPs (2)
This course introduces speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to the theories and procedures used to provide aural/audiologic rehabilitation to children and adults with hearing loss. Specifically, the implications of hearing loss in children and adults related to assessment and treatment procedures for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) will be discussed. For pediatric patients, topics related to newborn hearing screening, intervention models, and working with families will be examined. Adult aural rehabilitation services and strategies for meeting the communication needs of adults who are experiencing hearing loss will be reviewed.

SLP 601 Dysphagia (4)
Prerequisite(s): SLP 501
This course will provide students with an in-depth understanding of normal and abnormal swallowing across the lifespan. Relevant anatomy and physiology will be reviewed as well as common etiologies, co-occurring medical considerations, evaluation (clinical and instrumental), and treatment techniques for a wide range of swallowing disorders.

SLP 602 Adult Language Disorders (4)
Prerequisite(s): SLP 501
The course provides a theoretical and practical presentation of adult language disorders. Specific areas of focus include aphasia and acquired cognitive-communication disorders (e.g. dementia, traumatic brain injury, other degenerative neurogenic conditions.) Relevant anatomical structures and physiological processes will be reviewed. Etiological considerations, principals of assessment and evidence-based practices in treating adult language disorders will be discussed.

SLP 603 Voice and Resonance (2)
This course is designed to prepare students for clinical work with patients who have voice and resonance disorders across the lifespan and spectrum of care. While voice and resonance are often thought of as specialty areas, the goal of this course is to provide students with the foundational skills necessary to begin clinical practice. Students will gain an understanding of the relevant etiologies, assessment procedures, and principles of intervention.

SLP 604 Motor Speech Disorders (2)
This course is designed to prepare students for clinical work with patients who have motor speech disorders (MSDs) across the lifespan and continuum of care. Emphasis is placed on acquired movement-based disorders of speech production that impact one or more of the subsystems of speech, including the dysarthrias and apraxia of speech. Students will apply principles and strategies for differential diagnosis and clinical management of motor speech disorders, as well as strategies for identifying and managing the psychosocial challenges of managing a MSD.

SLP 621 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (3)
This course provides an overview of the augmentative communication systems utilized by individual with communication disorders. Low-tech and high-tech systems are discussed in the context of assessment (e.g. access, vocabulary selection) and training (patient, caregiver, team). Interdisciplinary issues in assessment and intervention are also discussed, as is funding and advocacy for AAC

SLP 622 Complex Conditions Across the Lifespan (3)
The purpose of this course is to provide students with a framework for the assessment and treatment of patients with ‘high-intensity’ needs across the lifespan such as autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injury. This course will be taught in an advanced seminar format to demonstrate how interdisciplinary collaboration is necessary to provide optimal services. There will be a special emphasis on the role of the SLP in screening, assessment, and intervention.

SLP 650 Clinical Practicum I (1)
In this first clinical practicum course, students will apply basic principles of clinical practice including an introduction to screening/diagnostics, treatment planning and implementation, data collection, clinical documentation, and the integration of feedback. Students will participate in practicum experiences with supervision from MSJ SLP faculty. Students will earn clock hours with patients with a variety of communication disorders at variable points across the lifespan.

SLP 651 Clinical Practicum II (1)
Prerequisite(s): SLP 650
In the second clinical practicum course, students will demonstrate more independence with clinical skills and begin to independently complete clinical screenings and diagnostic experiences. Students will participate in practicum experiences with supervision from MSJ SLP faculty. Students will earn clock hours with a patients with a variety of communication disorders at variable points across the lifespan.

SLP 652 Clinical Practicum III (1)
In the third clinical practicum course, students will become more independent with clinical skills and begin to independently complete clinical screenings and diagnostic experiences. Students may participate in practicum experiences with supervision from Mount St Joseph SLP faculty or at an offsite clinical location.

SLP 653 Clinical Practicum Med/Clinic (5)
Prerequisite(s): SLP 652
Students will complete an off-campus externship/rotation in a clinical setting (e.g. hospital, private practice, skilled nursing facility). In addition to gaining diagnostics and treatment experience in areas related to communication disorders, students will gain hands-on experience with documentation, third-party billing, and inter-professional practices.

SLP 654 School Practicum (6)
Students will complete a full time (5 days/week) externship/rotation in a school-based setting. In additional to gaining diagnostics and treatment experience in areas related to communication disorders, students will gain hands-on experience with policies, procedures, and regulations related to state and federal related service delivery.

SLP 741 Instrumental Assessments (3)
This course provides students advanced training in administering and interpreting instrumental assessments in speech-language pathology. Through a combination of simulation and face-to-face interactions, students will gain experience with nasopharyngoscopy and modified barium swallow studies. Students will also gain experience interpreting physiological measures related to communication and swallowing disorders.

SLP 742 Early Intervention (3)
This course provides students with the information necessary to practice in early intervention settings. Specifically, students will learn assessment and management of a variety of disorders in the birth to three population, learn counseling techniques for working with families, and learn about the various methods of service delivery in early intervention.

SLP 780 Capstone (3)
This course is the culmination of the academic and clinical coursework. Students will complete an evidence-based review to answer a clinical question. Student will frame their recommendations within the context of clinical setting, payment systems, ethical considerations, and inter-professional teaming.