Graduate Speech-Language Pathology Program

 

A graduate program of study is available for students with undergraduate degrees in communication science and disorders (online application choose the link for Speech-Language Pathology). A maximum of three non-background students can be accepted per graduate co-hort.  The non-background student program is three years rather than the two years of course work for a graduate with a Communication Science and Disorders degree.  The first year of the non-background graduate student's curriculum will consist of a core of undergraduate courses. Students with undergraduate degrees in Communication Science and Disorders, as well as the non-background students who finish the required undergraduate core of courses, will enter the Master of Science program in Speech-Language Pathology which provides necessary coursework and practicum experiences to qualify for certification by the American Speech- Language-Hearing Association and licensure through the Alabama Board of Examiners in Speech Pathology.  For more information please visit the UM graduate website.

About Academics and Facilities Graduate students in Speech-Language Pathology receive a thorough academic and clinical education. Faculty ensure that courses remain current in terms of latest research and developments in all areas of communication disorders. Areas of study such as augmentative communication and dysphagia were incorporated into the curriculum considerably before necessitated by accreditation standards. Montevallo offers a variety of clinical education opportunities in both on-campus and off-campus practicum sites which prepare students to provide diagnostic and treatment services to children and adults exhibiting a broad range of communication disorders. The facilities and equipment available to graduate students also enhance learning experiences. Various technology is used extensively with the clinical and academic programs. Some examples of technology available to students include: Computerized Acoustic Speech/Voice Analysis, Boardmaker International, Intellikeys/Intelllitools, and Hatch Computer.  A vast array of clinical treatment and assessment software, numerous augmentative communication device simulation software, and an onsite multimedia computer/ word processing lab are also available.

Clinical Opportunities Graduate students participate in diagnostic and clinical services for children and adults in the University of Montevallo's Speech and Hearing Center within the department. In addition, graduate students participate in a wide variety of field-based experiences in early intervention, preschool programs, public schools as well as private practice and medical facilities. Finally, graduate students participate in two field-based externships during the final semester of graduate study. One externship is typically an 8-week experience in the public school setting, and the other externship is typically an 8-week experience in an adult medical setting.

Required Graduate Courses

• CSD 500 Thesis
• CSD 501 Neurological Bases of Communication
• CSD 502 Research in Speech-Language Pathology
• CSD 507 Speech Science and Instrumentation
• CSD 511 Language Development and Disorders: Birth to Five
• CSD 512 Language Development and Disorders: School-Age
• CSD 514 Professional Issues
• CSD 530 Introduction to Dysphagia
• CSD 531 Directed Independent Study
• CSD 534 Motor Speech Disorders
• CSD 539 Augmentative and Alternative Communication
• CSD 540 Seminar in Acquired Brain Injury
• CSD 542 Seminar in Cleft Palate and Syndromes
• CSD 543 Seminar in Stuttering
• CSD 545 Seminar in Voice Disorders
• CSD 546 Seminar in Aphasia and Related Neurogenic Disorders
• CSD 547 Seminar in Articulation and Phonology
• CSD 548 Seminar in Communication Disorders
• ED 579 Advanced Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology

For more information about the CSD Graduate Programs, contact Dr. Marlene Salas-Provance, CSD Chair at (205)665-6720 or via e-mail at provancem@montevallo.edu