Revised March 2007

Communicative Disorders

Faculty

Program Description

Degree Requirements

Course Descriptions

Speech and Hearing Clinic
201 Carter Drive
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-3401
Dr. Weiss, Chairperson and Coordinator of Graduate Studies

PROFESSORS

Cheryl D. Gunter, Ph.D., University of Texas - Austin
Michael S. Weiss, Ph.D., Purdue University

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Mareile Koenig, Ph.D., University of Illinois

ASSISTANT PROFESSORS

Paul Evitts, Ph.D., Bowling Green University
Elizabeth Grillo, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
Jennifer W. Means, SLP.D., Nova Southeastern University

INSTRUCTOR

Judith A. Curtin, M.S., Marquette University

Program of Study

The department offers the master of arts degree in communicative disorders. The student may choose a thesis or nonthesis program. Both programs are designed to strengthen the knowledge and skill of the practicing speech clinician, to provide the foundation for further graduate study, and to afford an opportunity to complete requirements toward professional certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Attainment of the master's degree does not necessarily guarantee recommendation for certification.

MASTER OF ARTS IN COMMUNICATIVE DISORDERS
(60-66 semester hours)

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission to a degree program at West Chester University, applicants must:

1. Present an undergraduate background of at least 30 semester hours distributed among the following areas of study: psychology, human development, linguistics, statistics, speech and language development, phonetics, speech disorders, language disorders, hearing disorders, basic speech and hearing science, and 25 hours of supervised clinical observation.

2. Present undergraduate transcripts showing at least a 3.0 overall grade point average (GPA) in their undergraduate degree program. Demonstrate at least a 3.0 GPA in courses in speech-language pathology and audiology.

3. Demonstrate a reasonable degree of speech and language proficiency which may be measured by a written essay and a personal interview.

4. Submit Miller Analogies Test or Graduate Record Examination scores for purposes of evaluation and guidance.

5. Submit a log of undergraduate clinical practicum, when available.

6. Submit three letters of recommendation.

7. Submit a 750-word essay describing future goals, aspirations, and reasons for wanting to attend West Chester University.

Admission to Degree Candidacy

1. The applicant may apply for degree candidacy after having completed SPP 501, 502, and 508. Application must be made before the student has completed 15 semester hours of graduate work required for the degree.

2. During the precandidacy period, the applicant must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0.

Degree Requirements

1. The candidate must meet the general University requirements for the master's degree, including completion of all required courses, with an overall GPA of 3.0.

2. The nonthesis candidate must perform satisfactorily on a comprehensive written and oral examination, which may not be taken before the student's final semester of course work. Those who fail the examination may repeat it once. The interval between the two examinations may not exceed one year.

3. The thesis candidate does not take the comprehensive examination but is required to participate in an oral defense and provide documentation that she/he has taken the ASHA certification examination.

4. The candidate must satisfactorily complete SPP 501, 502, 508, 511, 512, 514, 515, 523, 524, 526, 543, and 582; 18-24 semester hours of graduate clinical practicum; and six semester hours of elective course work chosen under advisement.

5. The student must be in continuous enrollment. Exceptions may be granted by submitting a written request to the graduate coordinator.

6. The M.A. requires the completion of at least 375 hours of clinical practicum, with a minimum of 325 hours with a grade of B or better required at the graduate level.

Certification Programs

Candidates for the master of arts in communicative disorders may be recommended for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Language Pathology issued by the American Speech-Language- Hearing Association. They also may be recommended for the Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate upon satisfactory completion of additional, required course work and clinical practicum.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
COMMUNICATIVE DISORDERS

Symbol: SPP

501 Foundations of Research in Speech Pathology (3) Introduction to the scientific process and to the interpretation and application of research in the speech sciences. A research project prospectus required.

502 Experimental Phonetics (3) Study of acoustic and physiological mechanisms underlying speech production and perception. Current theoretical models are reviewed and analytical instrumentation demonstrated. Students are provided with laboratory experiences to complement lecture materials.

508 Neurology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism (3) This course provides the student with information concerning the neuroanatomical and neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the speech and hearing process.

511 Child Language Disorders I: 0 - 5 years (3) Explores disorders of early language acquisition and factors that may place infants and toddlers at risk for normal communication development. Assessment and intervention are examined from the perspective of developmental, behavioral, team-based, and family-centered frameworks.

512 Child Language Disorders II: School Age Children and Adolescents (3) Explores disorders of later language acquisition and the interaction of language disorders with academic achievement, especially in the acquisition of literacy skills. Diagnostic assessment and treatment approaches are developed using the framework proposed by ASHA.

514 Adult Neurogenic Language Disorders (3) Examines the vaious causes, classifications, diagnoses, and treatments of language disorders in adults who have sustained brain damage.

515 Adult Neuromotor Speech Disorders (3) Examines the various causes, classifications, diagnoses, and treatments of speech disorders in adults who have sustained neurological damage.

523 Voice Disorders (3) Examination of classification, etiology, diagnosis, and therapy for functional, organic, and psychological voice disorders.

524 Fluency Disorders (3) Consideration of the nature, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of stuttering and related disorders of speech flow. Critical review of pertinent research.

526 Articulatory Phonology (3) Theoretical considerations, research findings, and clinical practices concerning disordered speech sound production.

543 Therapy for the Hearing Impaired (3) Evaluative and therapeutic materials and methods applicable to the improvement of communication in hard-of-hearing individuals.

550 Advanced Diagnostic and Therapeutic Methods in Speech Pathology (3) Current and advanced evaluative methods and materials applicable to the diagnosis and remediation of communication disorders.

551 Graduate Clinical Practicum (1.5-3) Supervised practice in the Speech and Hearing Clinic. Designed to increase diagnostic and therapeutic skills with children and adults who have communication problems. PREREQ: Permission of department. Must be completed with a GPA of at least 3.0 in all SPP 551 practicums.
This course may be taken again for credit.

552 Medical Affiliation Practicum (3, 6, 9) Supervised practice in an affiliated clinic or school. Designed to increase diagnostic and therapeutic skills with children and adults who have communication disorders. PREREQ: Permission of department and GPA of at least 3.0 in all SPP 551 practica.
This course may be taken again for credit.

553 School-based Affiliation Practicum (3, 6, 9) Supervised practice in an affiliated clinic. Designed to increase diagnostic and therapeutic skills with children and adults who have communication disorders. PREREQ: Minimum 3.0 GPA in all SPP 551 practica and permission of the department.

560 Seminar in Speech Pathology (1-3) Selected theoretical and clinical areas of speech pathology and related disciplines. Topics vary each semester according to research developments and student needs.
This course may be taken again for credit.

561 Seminar in Audiology (3) Selected areas in audiology and related disciplines. Topics vary each semester according to developments in research and student needs.

570 School Language, Speech and Hearing Programs (3) Orientation to and observation of the organization, administration, and operation of school speech-language and hearing programs (preschool through grade 12).

573 Administration and Supervision of Speech and Hearing Programs (3) Nature and scope of supervisory positions in speech and hearing programs. Emphasis on administrative problems.

575 Medical Speech Pathology (3) This course is designed to provide graduate students with an introduction to the terminology, documentation, types of insurance, and interactions with other medical disciplines, as well as frequently observed disorders, assessments, and interventions associated with pediatric and adult patients in a medical setting (e.g., acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, long-term care facilities). The course is also designed to expose the student to the code of ethics and scope of practice within a medical setting as determined by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA).

580 Orofacial Anomalies (3) Comprehensive consideration of the nature, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of communication disorders associated with orofacial anomalies, particularly cleft lip and cleft palate.

582 Dysphagia (3) This course prepares students to identify anatomical and neurological structures in swallowing, as well as assess, treat, and modify diets for patients with normal and abnormal swallowing patterns.

589 Neuromuscular Disorders (3) Nature, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of communication disorders associated with neuromuscular dysfunction, with particular attention to the cerebral palsies.

590 Independent Study (1-3) Individualized research projects, reports, and/or readings in speech pathology or audiology under faculty supervision. PREREQ: Approval of department chairperson.

598 Workshop in Communicative Disorders (3)

610 Thesis (1-6)

WCU Home | WCU Web Text Only | Prospective Students | Current Students | Parents & Family

Alumni | Faculty & Staff | Visitor Info | Administration | Academic Programs | Library | Athletics

Catalogs | News & Events | Text Only Site Map | Giving to WCU

Searches | Contact Us