Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology
For admission to the M.S. degree program in speech-language pathology, audiology or deaf education, the applicant must:
1. Have obtained a 3.0 GPA for course work taken during the last two years of undergraduate training.
2. Submit three letters of recommendation.
3. Have obtained a score equal to or better than the 35th percentile on any one of the three general sections of the Graduate Record Examination.
Students with GPAs between 2.75 and 3.0 will receive consideration for admission as conditional students.
International students whose native language is not English must achieve at least the 50th percentile on the Verbal section of the GRE, and a total score of 600 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Once admitted, non-native English-speaking students must also receive a passing score on a test of spoken English to participate in clinic.
SPA 600 Principles of Research in Communication Disorders 2 cr
SPA 601 Service Delivery Issues in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology 2 cr
SPA 602 Clinical Practicum: Speech-Language Pathology 7 cr
SPA 604 Off-Campus Clinical Practicum 1-2 cr
SPA 606 Externship in Speech-Language Pathology 8 cr
SPA 612 Language Development/Analysis 2 cr
SPA 613 Hearing Conservation 2 cr
SPA 614 Language Disorders: Preschool 2 cr
SPA 616 Language Disorders: School Age 2 cr
SPA 618 Augmentative and Alternative Communication 2 cr
SPA 622 Phonologic Disorders Assessment and Treatment 3 cr
SPA 624 Experimental Phonetics 2 cr
SPA 630 Fluency Disorders 2 cr
SPA 632 Oral Anomalies 2 cr
SPA 634 Voice Disorders 2 cr
SPA 636 Dysarthria/Dysphagia 2 cr
SPA 642 Aphasia 2 cr
SPA 644 Closed Head Injury 2 cr
SPA 646 Computer Applications in Speech-Language Pathology 2 cr
SPA 650 Thesis 6 cr
OR
SPA 651 Master's Paper 3 cr
Total 50 - 54 cr
Required Courses for Audiology Emphasis
SPA 600 Principles of Research in Communication Disorders 2 cr
SPA 601 Service Delivery Issues in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology 1 cr
SPA 603 Clinical Practicum: Audiology 8 cr
SPA 605 Externship in Audiology 8 cr
SPA 611 Advanced Audiology 4 cr
SPA 621 Conservation and AR: School and Industry 2 cr
SPA 623 Pediatric Audiology 3 cr
SPA 631 Impedance/Special Tests 2 cr
SPA 633 Electrophysiologic Assessment 3 cr
SPA 633L Electrophysiologic Assessment Lab 1 cr
SPA 635 Speech Audiometry 1 cr
SPA 641 Hearing Aids I 2 cr
SPA 641L Hearing Aids I Lab 1 cr
SPA 643 Hearing Aids II 2 cr
SPA 643L Hearing Aids II Lab 1 cr
SPA 645 Auditory Theory I 2 cr
SPA 647 Auditory Theory II 2 cr
SPA 691 Topical Seminar(s) 3 cr
Total 48 cr
A student majoring in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology who has not taken a multidisciplinary Evaluation Team (MET) course as an undergraduate is required to register for SPA 517, Interdisciplinary Evaluation Team, prior to graduation.
Many of our applicants will have completed student teaching and had enough experience that the 607, 608, 582 courses will fulfill the training and requirements for a graduate degree and credential. If they do not have this qualification, they may take the following course. Some students may take this as an elective.SPA g301 Developmental Psycho-linguistics and Reading 3 cr
SPA g457 Teaching Speech to the Hearing Impaired 3 cr
SPA g458 Teaching Language to the Hearing Impaired 3 cr
SPA g459 Teaching Academic Subjects to the Hearing Impaired 3 cr
SPA g482 Independent Study: Specific Teaching Project 3 cr
SPA g491 Seminar: Speech and Hearing Science 3 cr
SPA 607 Directed Observation in Education of the Hearing Impaired 3 cr
SPA 608 Communication Practicum 6 cr
SPA 617 Psycho/Social Foundations in Education of the Hearing Impaired 2 cr
SPA 627 Reading/Writing Curriculum in Education of the Hearing Impaired 3 cr
SPA 628 Curriculum Organization in Education of the Hearing Impaired 3 cr
SPA 637 Philosophical/Theoretical Foundations of Education of the Hearing Impaired 2 cr
SPA 691 Top. Seminar: Audiometry/Tympanometry 2 cr
TOTAL 39 cr
SPA 609 Teaching Internship in Education of the Hearing Impaired 8 cr
Students must pass eight and one-half hours of written comprehensive examinations. Graduate students may elect a thesis option (SPA 650, 6 credits) in lieu of comprehensive exams with approval by a graduate faculty advisor. Completion of a thesis involves an oral defense of the project.
According to the university regulations, no student may be granted a graduate degree who does not have a 3.0 grade point average upon completion of all academic work. In addition, the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology will terminate the graduate program of any student who has received grades of "C" or lower in three or more departmental courses. If a student's graduate education is terminated for reasons of poor academic performance, s/he may reapply for admission no sooner than one full semester following the semester of termination.
Students with inadequate backgrounds in speech pathology and audiology may be required to take up to one year in undergraduate coursework in addition to the above courses. In addition to the required graduate courses, students may have to take other courses in the department and related areas such as psychology and statistics. In addition to taking clinical practice (SPA 602, 603, or 608) in the department, all graduate students must complete a minimum of an eight-week, full-time externship in some professional program or agency. Other courses taken during the semester in which the externship is done must be in a block program. Exceptions will be made depending on the student's background. Graduate students deemed by the faculty not to have made satisfactory progress in the acquisition of clinical skills may be required to enroll for further credits in clinical practicum in addition to the minimum required of all students. Students may be dismissed for failure to make satisfactory progress in clinical practicum.
SPA g300 Speech Science 4 credits. Introduction to the anatomy and physiology of speech production. Topics include respiratory dynamics, laryngeal functions, articulatory dynamics, and the neurophysiology of speech. PREREQ: BIOS 301, BIOS 302 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.
SPA g301 Developmental Psycholinguistics and Reading 3 credits. Oral language development in young children and its relationship to early reading. Classroom language problems of older elementary and secondary students and language intervention to improve reading and writing discussed.
SPA g315 Clinical Processes: Managment 3 credits. Various therapeutic methods used in managing communication disorders. PREREQ: SPA g321, SPA g330, PSYC g455 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.
SPA g321 Clinical Phonology 4 credits. Basic concepts in applied phonetics and phonology, including speech acoustics.
SPA g321L Clinical Phonology Lab 0 credits.
SPA g325 Phonologic Disorders 3 credits. Background information leading toward the understanding of phonologic disorders. Information and clinical techniques on diagnosis and remediation of phonologic disorders. Helps prepare the student for first clinical experience. PREREQ: SPA g320 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.
SPA g330 Language Development 3 credits. Analysis of the development of systems of communication: phonologic, morphologic, syntactic, semantic, pragmatic, and relevant non-verbal and cognitive development in normal children. Review of current theories and research. PREREQ: ANTH 107 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.
SPA g335 Language Disorders 3 credits. Study of children who are deviant language users. Intervention principles, including content and procedures of programming as they relate to language disorders. PREREQ: SPA g330 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.
SPA g341 Audiology I: Hearing Science and Audiometry 3 credits. Introduction to basic hearing science, sound measurement, audiometry, tympanometry, hearing disorders, public school screening and methods of aural rehabilitation. Review of role and audiology in human services.
SPA g345 Audiology II: Aural Rehabilitation 3 credits. Aural rehabilitation of the hearing impaired. Consideration of amplification, speech reading, auditory training, and other aspects of the process. PREREQ: SPA g340 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.
SPA g405 Neurological Bases of Communication Disorders 3 credits. Provides fundamental knowledge of neuroanatomy and physiology as related to speech, language and hearing disorders. Introduction to communication disorders related to neurological damage (e.g., dysarthria, apraxia, aphasia). PREREQ: SPA g300 0R PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR
SPA g417 Interdisciplinary Evaluation Team 1 credit. Introduction to the principles, techniques, and disciplines associated with interdisciplinary evaluation and treatment planning. Disciplines emphasized: Audiology, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Social Work, Special Education, Speech-language Pathology. PREREQ: SPA g315, SPA g421 ORPERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.
SPA g420 Clinical Processes: Assessment 3 credits. Diagnostic principles, procedures, tests and clinical examination in the evaluation of speech, language and hearing disorders. Covers norms, reliability and validity. PREREQ: PSYCH 445, SPA 315, AND STATISTICS, AND/OR APPROVAL OF INSTRUCTOR.
SPA g440 Special Topics Workshop 1-3 credits. Presentation of professionally related topics in workshop format. Meets for a minimum of 16 contact hours per credit with appropriate outside assignments, readings, or papers. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. Graded S/U.
SPA g457 Teaching Speech to the Hearing Impaired 3 credits. Designed to give students theoretical and practical knowledge in the evaluation and habilitation of speech problems in hearing impaired children and adolescents. PREREQ: SPA 501 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.
SPA g458 Teaching Language to the Hearing Impaired 3 credits. Students gain theoretical and practical knowledge in the evaluation and habilitation of language/communication problems in children and adolescents with severe hearing impairments. PREREQ: SPA 501 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.
SPA g459 Teaching Academic Subjects to the Hearing Impaired 3 credits. Students gain theoretical and practical knowledge of how to teach academic subjects to children and adolescents with severe hearing impairments. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.
SPA g460 Audiology III: Educational Audiology 3 credits. Management of the permanently hard-of-hearing child and adolescent in the regular classroom; evaluation and staffing; speech and language intervention; mainstreaming considerations; curriculum modifications; and personal/social consideration. PREREQ: SPA 345.
SPA g482 Independent Study 1-4 credits. Study of problems selected by students and faculty. May be repeated up to 8 credits.
SPA g491 Seminar 1-4 credits. Reading,preparation, and discussion of reports and projects inallareas of speech and hearing science, speech pathology and audiology. May be repeated up to 12 credits.
SPA 597 Professional Education Development Topics. Variable credit. May be repeated. A course for practicing professionals aimed at the development and improvement of skills. May not be applied to graduate degrees. May be graded S/U.
SPA 600 Principles of Research in Communication Disorders 2 credits. Various types of research design and analysis with critiquing of representative models in the literature. Utilization of library and computer resources in speech and hearing, with individual pilot research projects.
SPA 601 Service Delivery Issues in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology 1-2 credits. Overview of the legal, administrative and professional aspects of practice in various settings. Includes review of current standards of practice including certification, licensure, ethics, liability and association guidelines.
SPA 602 Clinical Practicum: Speech-Language 1 credit. Students, under supervision, gain experience in the diagnosing, staffing, programming, and counseling of cases with speech and language disorders. May be repeated up to 16 credits. Approval of Clinic Director required.
SPA 603 Clinical Practicum: Audiology 1-2 credits. Students gain experience in diagnosing, programming, and counseling cases with hearing disorders, and implementing rehabilitation programs for persons with hearing losses. May be repeated up to 12 credits. PREREQ: APPROVAL OF ADVISOR AND AUDIOLOGY CLINIC COORDINATOR.
SPA 604 Off-Campus Practicum 1 or 2 credits. Designed to provide clinical experience under supervision of speech-language pathologist within placement setting. Placements include private clinics, hospitals, residential care facilities, developmental centers and schools. PREREQ: CLINIC DIRECTOR APPROVAL. Graded S/U.
SPA 605 Externship in Audiology 4-8 credits. Designed to give Audiology students full-time practical experience in a professional setting, i.e. schools, hospitals, clinics and private practices. PREREQ: Externship interview and approval of advisor and Externship Coordinator. Graded S/U.
SPA 606 Externship in Speech-Language Pathology 4-8 credits. Designed to provide speech-language pathology students full-time eight-week clinical experience in professional settings, i.e., hospitals, private clinics, developmental centers, residential care facilities, schools. PREREQ: EXTERNSHIP COORDINATOR, ADVISOR AND CHAIR APPROVAL. Graded S/U.
SPA 607 Directed Observation in Education of the Hearing Impaired, 1 credit. Directed observations at multiple levels and reporting of casual interactions and diagnostic/intervention approaches by instructor with hearing impaired individuals (minimal 150 clock hours). May be repeated up to 6 credits. PREREQ: SPA 501 AND/OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.
SPA 608 Communication Practicum 2 credits. Supervised experiences applying research and theory to language intervention practices for hearing impaired individuals. May be repeated up to 6 credits. PREREQ: SPA 501, 607, AND PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.
SPA 609 Teaching Internship in Education of the Hearing Impaired 8 credits. Directed classroom and clinical teaching experience with hearing-impaired students under supervision. Minimum 250 clock hours at the level specialization. PREREQ: APPROVED APPLICATION. Graded S/U.
SPA 611 Advanced Audiology 4 credits. Advanced study in the historical, theoretical and clinical aspects of fundamental audiological topics:Calibration, pure-tone air- and bone-conduction testing, masking, pathologies of the auditory system inadults.
SPA 612 Language Development/Analysis 2 credits. In-depth study of language development. Procedures for analysis of normal, delayed and disordered language are presented.
SPA 613 Hearing Conservation 2 credits. How to provide thorough exposure on implementing and operating a school hearing conservation program. Common hearing disorders in children; impedance and pure tone test procedures; interpretation of findings; amplification use and trouble shooting; management.
SPA 614 Language Disorders: Preschool 2 credits. Advanced study of language disorders in the preschool age population (0-5). Considers theory, literature and methods of assessment and remediation.
SPA 616 Language Disorders: School Age 2 credits. Advanced study of language disorders in the school age population (6-18). Considers theory, literature and methods of assessment and remediation.
SPA 617 Psycho/Social Foundations in Education of the Hearing Impaired, 2 credits. Psychological and sociological implications and counseling techniques for hearing impaired individuals. Includes issues in child development, parent relationships, and multicultural/bilingual populations.
SPA 618 Augmentative and Alternative Communication 2 credits. Applications of strategies and techniques to supplement or replace speech for people with severe communication disorders. Provides thorough study of evaluation and treatment issues and introduction to recent technology including computerized communication devices.
SPA 621 Conservation and AR: School and Industry 2 credits. Advanced treatment of aural rehabilitation and hearing conservation for school, industry, and adults generally. Includes review of ASHA/OSHA Guidelines.
SPA 622 Phonologic Disorders: Assessment and Treatment 3 credits. Advanced study of phonologic disorders. Considers theory, literature and methods of assessment and treatment. A comprehensive model of remediation of phonologic disorders is presented and discussed.
SPA 623 Pediatric Audiology 3 credits. Advanced study of hearing disorders and hearing test procedures in children. Topics include development of the auditory mechanism, auditory pathologies, developmental milestones, auditory testing, differential diagnosis, and management.
SPA 624 Experimental Phonetics 2 credits. Exploration and discussion of experimental literature in physiologic, acoustic, and perceptual phonetics, and the relation of these topics to speech disorders and rehabilitation.
SPA 627 Reading/Writing Curriculum of the Hearing Impaired 3 credits. Theory, research and practices for teaching and assessing written language for hearing impaired students. Applications of principles of language acquisition and development to reading and writing.
SPA 628 Curriculum Organization in Education of the Hearing Impaired 3 credits. Organizing, adapting and implementing curriculum across all areas to meet the special needs of severely hearing impaired students. Includes assessment, behavior management, instructional technology, and individualized planning.
SPA 630 Fluency Disorders 2 credits. Comprehensive study of fluency disorders. The physiological, neurological and behavioral bases for these disorders is discussed. Principles of diagnosis and remediation of fluency disorders are discussed.
SPA 631 Impedance/Special Tests 2 credits. Study of impedance and other special audiological tests used in site of lesion (differential) diagnostic workshops. Background, rationale, administration and interpretations of Impedance, Loudness Balance, SISI, Bekesy, Tone Decay tests will be considered.
SPA 632 Oral Anomalies 2 credits. Study of children and adults with orofacial anomalies. Special emphasis is given to the effects of cleft lip and cleft palate on oral communication. The anatomical/physiological and behavioral principles of diagnosis and remediation are discussed.
SPA 633 Electrophysiologic Assessment 3 credits. Study of evoked potentials in audiology evaluation, with emphasis on Auditory Brain Stem Response (ABR) and Electronystagmography (ENG) and Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE). COREQ: SPA 633L.
SPA 633L Electrophysiologic Assessment Laboratory 1 credit. Study and clinical practice of ABR, ENG and OAE tests. Emphasis on clinical protocol, interpretation of test findings, and methods of reporting interpretations to referring sources. COREQ: SPA 633.
SPA 634 Voice Disorders 2 credits. Comprehensive study of the anatomical, physiological and behavioral bases of disordered laryngeal function. Principles of diagnosis and management of voice disorders are presented and discussed.
SPA 635 Speech Audiometry 1 credit. Review of basic and advanced audiometric tests which utilize speech as an approach to hearing assessment. Course treatment includes historic development of speech tests and description of psychophysical principles which underlie speech audiometry.
SPA 636 Dysarthria and Dysphagia 2 credits. A comprehensive study of neurogenic motor speech disorders. Principles of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology as they relate to normal and disordered speech are discussed. Principles of diagnosis and remediation are presented and discussed.
SPA 637 Philosophical/Theoretical Foundations of Education of the Hearing Impaired 2 credits. A comprehensive study of the philosophies and theories that influence current practice and research in the education of the hearing impaired.
SPA 641 Hearing Aids I 2 credits. Advanced treatment of hearing aid electronics, principles of amplification, measures of hearing aid output and earmold acoustics. Both ANSI coupler specifications and real-ear measures will be studied and contrasted.
SPA 641L Hearing Aids I Laboratory 2 credits. Study and practice of clinical skills required for fitting hearing aids. Emphasis on earmold impressions, electroacoustic measurements, selection of hearing aids, and counseling. COREQ: SPA 641.
SPA 642 Aphasia 2 credits. Comprehensive study of neurological language disorders. The etiology and unique behavioral manifestations of these disorders are described. The principles of differential diagnosis, remediation strategies and compensatory strategies are discussed.
SPA 643 Hearing Aids II 2 credits. Principles of hearing aid evaluation, methods of prescriptive fitting and verification, counseling strategies, and introduction to dispensing business principles. PREREQ: SPA 641.
SPA 643L Hearing Aids II Laboratory 2 credits. Study and practice of advanced clinical skills. Emphasis on probe-tube measurements, fitting of programmable hearing aids, and advanced counseling of hearing aid clients. COREQ: SPA 643.
SPA 644 Closed Head Injury 2 credits. Study of the etiology and behavior manifestations of traumatic brain injury. The pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury in relation to speech and language is discussed. Long-term, multidisciplinary treatment of these patients is discussed.
SPA 645 Auditory Theory I 2 credits. Comprehensive treatment of the anatomy, physiology and neuroanatomy of the auditory system from outer to inner ear. Includes study of advanced acoustics, theories of hearing, principles of sound conduction and cochlear potentials.
SPA 646 Computer Applications in Speech-Language Pathology 2 credits. Overview of current technology appropriate to the clinical practice of speech-language pathology. Emphasis is on the evaluation and application of computer technology, including software, for assessment, treatment and administrative needs.
SPA 647 Auditory Theory II 2 credits. Continuation of advanced study of the auditory system, including central pathways, auditory perception and psychoacoustics, with focus on pitch and loudness phenomenon, masking, and binaural effect. PREREQ: SPA 645.
SPA 650 Thesis 1-6 credits. Research project under supervision of academic faculty member. PREREQ: ABILITY TO DEAL WITH TECHNICAL LITERATURE, PROVEN WRITING ABILITY. APPROVAL OF ADVISOR AND INSTRUCTOR. Graded S/U.
SPA 651 Master's Paper 1-3 credits. Major paper or project synthesizing aspects of a specialized area of speech-language pathology, audiology or education of hearing impaired. A large component of the paper must reflect the student's own original thinking. Graded S/U.
SPA 691 Topical Seminar 1-4 credits. Reading and discussions involving subjects of concern. May be repeated up to 12 credits.
SPA 699 Advanced Graduate Study 1-6 credits. Structured advanced study of specific topic or area.
Idaho State University Academic Information
Revised: May 1, 1996
URL http://www.isu.edu/academic-info/prev-isu-cat/grad96/heal/spchdept.html