Course Descriptions
Neuroscience
5000
Credits: 3
An overview of the anatomy and physiology (structure and function) of the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Special emphasis is placed on how these structures support the production of speech, language, cognition, voice and swallowing. Communication and swallowing disorders associated with pathophysiology the CNS and PNS are also presented.
Counseling Foundations in CSD
5001
Credits: 2
An introduction of counseling skills needed by speech-language pathologists in their daily interactions with clients/patients and their families. A broad overview of counseling theories and techniques will be provided, with an emphasis throughout the course on ''positive psychology'' and a wellness perspective. Discussion and practice of effective communication techniques, including verbal, nonverbal, and interpersonal communication. Students will understand the emotional needs of individuals with communication disorders and their families, and how communication disorders affect the family system. Counseling needs of individuals with specific disorders will be discussed, including those with fluency disorders, autism spectrum disorders, hearing loss, acquired/adult language and cognitive disorders, and congenital disorders.
Applied Integrative Anatomy for SLP
5002
Credits: 2
Lecture and lab provide students with a background in gross human anatomy using prosected body parts of cadavers. Emphasis is on body structures supporting the speech, voice and swallowing mechanisms, including anatomical structures associated with respiration, phonation, articulation/resonance and mechanics of swallowing using upper and lower digestive systems.
Communication Disorders in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations
5003
Credits: 2
Foundational issues involved in serving culturally and linguistically diverse populations with a focus on developing and exhibiting cultural competence when conducting interviews, patient/family education and counseling. Investigates how to collect data on relevant cultural and linguistic background and incorporate this information into the therapeutic process. Consideration is given to reliability and validity of standardized assessment tools based on those culturally distinct populations that were used by authors of the examinations upon which normative data were generated. Treatment approaches that respect and incorporate the cultural-linguistic background of the patient and family members will also be discussed.
Professional Issues and Ethics in Speech-Language Pathology
5004
Credits: 2
Issues related to employment settings, job exploration/preparation, credentialing and licensure application and acquisition, trends in service delivery, ethics, legal considerations and professional advocacy including state, national and international politics associated with speech-language pathology. Course content parallels guidelines associated with the American Speech-Language- Hearing Association (ASHA) Scope of Practice, Code of Ethics, Preferred Practice Patterns and credentialing guidelines established by the ASHA Council for Clinical Certification. Professional leadership, volunteerism and patient/client advocacy will be discussed and encouraged.
Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Anomalies
5005
Credits: 1
A comprehensive study of the definitions, characteristics, classifications, epidemiology, pathophysiology, etiologies, and differential diagnosis of cleft palate and other craniofacial anomalies. Formal and informal assessment tools and intervention strategies will be presented.
Special Topics Seminar 1
5030
Credits: 2
Topics of current interest to the profession of speech-language pathology, centered around medical aspects of practice. Guest lecturers and research literature related to speech, language, voice, swallowing and contemporary professional issues will be incorporated. The intent of this seminar is to expand upon the overall understanding of the discipline of speech- language pathology by covering topics not routinely covered in a standard speech-language pathology curriculum. Topics may vary from year to year depending on the current state-of-the art or 'hot topics' being discussed with the state and at the national and international levels.
Special Topics Seminar 2
5031
Credits: 2
Continuation of topics of current interest to the profession of speech-language pathology using guest lecturers and research literature to discuss speech, language, voice, swallowing and contemporary professional issues, centered around the school-based speech-language pathology practice.
Speech Sound Disorders
5100
Credits: 2.5
Articulatory phonetics, phonological processes and backward and forward co- articulation are presented. Contemporary assessment and intervention tools for articulatory and phonological delays and disorders, including specific remediation procedures are demonstrated.
Prevention, Assessment and Treatment of Communication Disorders in Children: Zero to Five
5130
Credits: 2
Etiologies, risk factors, inter-disciplinary assessment and analysis of language disorders in infants, toddlers, and preschool aged children using formal and informal measures. Language facilitation and intervention strategies are presented. Includes practice in the analysis of child speech and language samples.
Prevention, Assessment and Treatment of Communication Disorders in School-Aged Children: Six-21
5131
Credits: 2
A comprehensive study of children's phonologic, morphemic, syntactic, semantic, pragmatic and emerging literacy impairments with focus on etiologies, characteristics, and associated risk factors. Formal and informal assessment methods, service delivery models (i.e., classroom interactions between the teacher and speech-language pathologist) and intervention strategies in our culturally and linguistically diverse population are presented. The role of the speech-language pathologist in developing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) is discussed.
Adult Language Disorders 1: Aphasia
5230
Credits: 2.5
Definitions, characteristics, classifications, epidemiology, pathophysiology, etiologies, differential diagnosis of aphasia. Formal and informal assessment tools and intervention strategies will be presented.
Adult Language Disorders 2: Cognitive-Linguistic Communication Disorders
5231
Credits: 2.5
Definitions, characteristics, classifications, epidemiology, pathophysiology, etiologies, differential diagnosis of cognitive-linguistic disorders associated with traumatic brain injury, dementias and right hemisphere injury. Formal and informal assessment tools and intervention strategies are presented.
Motor Speech Disorders
5300
Credits: 2
An overview of pathophysiology and the symptomatology of the dysarthrias and apraxia of speech. Assessment, differential diagnosis and treatment of developmental and acquired apraxia of speech and the dysarthrias are discussed. Classification schemes will be presented as will the best diagnostic and intervention practices using evidence-based practice research. Both perceptual and objective measures of the dysarthric and apraxic speech and vocal mechanism will be examined.
Autism Spectrum Disorders
5301
Credits: 2
Current research on the epidemiology, etiologies and characteristics associated with various clients along the autism continuum. Assessment and clinical management strategies for pediatric and adult populations with autism are discussed. Family education and family and community intervention approaches and supportive resources are presented.
Fluency Disorders
5302
Credits: 2
Etiologies, epidemiology characteristics and classifications of persons with fluency disorders are presented. Diagnosis and therapeutic intervention for both pediatric and adult populations who exhibit stuttering and cluttering behaviors are discussed.
Voice Disorders
5303
Credits: 2
Study of normal laryngeal physiology, vocal hyperfunction and vocal pathophysiology ranging from vocal nodules and polyps to vocal cord paralysis and cancer of the larynx. Includes functional/behavioral, organic and neurogenic etiologies of voice disorders. Perceptual and objective diagnostic measures and specific intervention techniques are presented. Research studies examining evidence-based practice, care of the professional voice and prevention of voice disorders will also be discussed.
Technology in Speech-Language Pathology: Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Computer Applications
5304
Credits: 2
Assessment strategies and AAC systems ranging from simple communication picture and alpha-numeric boards to highly technical and sophisticated electronic boards that 'speak' using artificial voices, all of which are used to improve the communication skills of individuals with limited or nonfunctional speech-language production will be discussed, demonstrated and used. Students will also be introduced to computer applications in speech-language pathology that can be incorporated in the diagnostic and therapeutic process.
Research Design and Application of Evidenced Based Practice in Speech-Language Pathology
5400
Credits: 2.5
Strategies and methodology in the design and analysis of research in communication sciences and disorders. Includes a module on how to find and identify the most efficacious and efficient evidence for clinical application in the diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders. Students will also identify a research topic that will be used throughout the remainder of their studies as their Capstone Project topic.
Dysphagia
5401
Credits: 3
Normal anatomy and physiology of mastication and deglutition (chewing and swallowing) as well as disrupted stages of feeding and swallowing are presented for pediatric, adult and elderly patients. Discussion of etiologies and characteristics of swallowing disorders. Interprofessional education and inter-collaborative service models are described in the diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia along with current research indicative of best practices.
Capstone Project in SLP
5402
Credits: 2
Culmination of research, special service delivery and/or community education and service project that is student directed. Projects are mentored into fruition by faculty in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology. Student presentations (poster and oral) to the faculty, student peers within the department and fellow students and faculty across the University.
Aural Habilitation/Rehabilitation
5500
Credits: 2
Application of methods and procedures for management of the individual with a hearing impairment and the role of the speech-language pathologist, including language, speech, auditory training, speech-reading, and subject-matter tutoring.
SLP Independent Study
5556
Credits: 1
This course is designed to allow SLP students to pursue in depth a professional area of interest in speech-language pathology. Topics to be studied may include additional research on an area covered in another class, a new area of didactic study that adds to the current body of research literature; or advanced or state-of-the-art techniques used for clinical interventions. The student selects an area of study and, under advisement or guided direction by a sponsoring faculty member, examines relevant research, actively engages in project development and implementation, and writes a report on their findings. The course is also used to support students who require additional topic- or course-specific work.
Professionally Speaking
5557
Credits: 1
The purpose of the course is to assist students across all academic disciplines to prepare for classroom and professional presentations (i.e., poster sessions, technical sessions, workshops, seminars and debate teams) as well as build confidence in themselves as speakers. The course will concentrate on four major public speaking formats: informative, persuasive, impromptu and debate. The course will also assist individuals who want to improve the clarity, intelligibility and articulation of their speaking and effective writing skills.
Comprehensive Exam in Speech-Language Pathology
6050
Credits: 0
All students will take a written comprehensive exam that assesses the student's ability to integrate theoretical and clinical knowledge and skills gained through the academic coursework and clinical training. A series of case-based questions, representative of the nine disorder areas in Speech-Language Pathology, and reflective of various practice areas and the lifespan, will be generated. Students are required to pass the comprehensive exam, and any subsequent remediation, prior to graduation.
Clinical Management and Practicum 1
6100
Credits: 2
An introduction to clinical policies, procedures and processes including: development and recording a case history; conducting patient and family/caregiver interviews; basic principles of assessment; differential diagnosis; report writing with long- and short-term goals; development of clinical lesson plans; generating patient progress notations (e.g., SOAP notes, computerized progress checklists, narrative notes), and use of effective communication strategies (verbal, non-verbal and interpersonal 'soft' skills) when interacting with the patient and family members. Clinical problem solving cases using SimuCase, computerized simulation, and/or actors who mimic various communication disorders are included for individual and small group analysis. Direct and engaged student observations and analysis of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques and settings (videotaped and/or real-time) by trained, certified (CCC- SLP) speech-language pathologists.
Clinical Management and Practicum 2
6200
Credits: 2
Development of clinical decision-making skills and applying those skills to evaluate and treat pediatric, adult and elderly clients with various communication disorders. Includes the use of appropriate interview and counseling techniques with clients and family members from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Student-generated long- and short-term goal setting, diagnostic and treatment lesson planning, clinical session preparation of materials and reinforcement award systems for patient motivation and active participation; establishing measurable outcome data and incorporating clinical techniques used and resulting outcome data measures for progress notation and report writing under the close supervision of on-campus clinical educators. Clinical session planning and implementation will involve students working in pairs and individually.
Clinical Management and Practicum 3
6300
Credits: 2
Student-generated evaluation and treatment of children, adults and the elderly with communication disorders at the Salus University on-campus clinic under the supervision of ASHA certified faculty and clinical educators. Real-life application of clinic foundational knowledge, skills and materials while earning clinic hours under the supervision of ASHA-certified (CCC-SLP) and Pennsylvania state- licensed speech-language pathologists. More independent student clinicians who demonstrate expected didactic knowledge and clinical competencies at this stage will be placed in their first off-campus external placement site under certified and licensed speech-language pathologists who will serve as externship clinical supervisors.
Clinical Management and Practicum 4
6400
Credits: 3
External clinical placement site involving hospital, rehabilitation, private and public schools, pre-schools, skilled nursing facilities, home-based and private practice clinical settings. Students are under the supervision of a certified and licensed external placement speech-language pathologist. Adaptation of time-schedule for service delivery, workload requirements as well as the particulars involving report writing, individual education plans (IEPs) progress notation, billing procedures, interprofessional team patient care management using a case manager (usually a nurse or social worker), work related policies and procedures and other duties as assigned are experienced by the student clinician.
Clinical Management and Practicum 5
6500
Credits: 3
Full-time evaluation and treatment of pediatric, adult and/or elderly patients with communication disorders or dysphagia in an external clinical setting under supervision of an external site, certified and licensed speech-language pathologist.
