Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology

Chair and Professor: Sorensen
Professors: Bain, Longhurst, Schow, Smedley
Associate Professor: Deputy
Assistant Professors: Detweiler, Griffing, Kangas, Mercaldo, Weston, Zeches
Clinical Instructors: Batte, Boysen, Brockett, Kline, Loftin, Malepeai, Medley, Towsley, Willer-Urfer

The areas of speech-language pathology and audiology are concerned with basic communicative behavior. Included in these areas are studies of the systems underlying the normal communicative process (speech science, hearing science, phonetics, acoustics and anatomy and physiology); development of speech, hearing, and language functions; deviations from the normal communicative process (speech-language pathology and audiology); and assessment and management of deviation. The Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology offers a four-year program leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in speech-language pathology and audiology. A Master of Science degree is offered in Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, or Education of the Hearing Impaired. (See the Graduate School section for admission and degree requirements.)

The combined bachelors' and masters' programs are designed to prepare students to meet the academic and clinical requirements for the Idaho Department of Education Certificate for Speech-Language Pathologist or Audiologist, state licensing for Audiology, and the Certificate of Clinical Competence as issued by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). In addition, all the academic requirements of the Council on the Education of the Deaf (CED) are available. The speech-language pathology and audiology programs are both accredited by the Education Standards Board (ESB) of the American Speech- Language-Hearing Association. The education of the hearing impaired curriculum meets the requirements for training in EHI in the state of Idaho and through reciprocal agreement with most states. The education of the hearing impaired graduate curriculum meets the requirements for training in EHI in the State of Idaho and through reciprocal agreement with most states. Undergraduate students who are interested in this area of study should contact the College of Education for further information about the EHI undergraduate component/minor.

The ISU Speech and Hearing Center, under the auspices of the department, serves children and adults with a variety of communication problems and/or disorders. Students work in supervised programs providing for a broad spectrum of speech and hearing disorders. Upper division and graduate students gain experience in diagnosing, staffing, programming, and counseling of cases.

Opportunities for obtaining clinical experience in speech-language pathology and audiology are provided in the ISU Speech and Hearing Center, public schools, state institutions, hospitals, and other service facilities. Under supervision by clinical faculty, students can accumulate the necessary clinical hours required for state and ASHA certification. Clinical experience in diagnosis, habilitation, and rehabilitation is available in such areas as phonology, language, stuttering, voice, and speech-language problems associated with cerebral palsy, cleft palate, brain damage and mental retardation. Experience with people with hearing impairment is available in areas such as hearing loss identification, pure-tone testing, audiological assessment, hearing aid evaluation, auditory training, speech reading, and speech conservation and therapy for those with congenital or acquired hearing loss.

Services

Assessment and rehabilitation services as listed above are available at the Speech and Hearing Center for children and adults who have speech, language, and/or hearing problems. Special consideration is made for university students requesting and/or needing assistance. Services are provided by the clinical faculty and experienced students.

The Communication Preschool provides language management and readiness programs for preschool children with language delays. This preschool emphasizes the importance of differential diagnosis, parent training, staffing of cases, educational adjustment, and comprehensive habilitation programs to facilitate school placement.

Affiliate Programs

Public and private education programs, local and state public health units, institutions such as the Idaho and Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, and vocational rehabilitation agencies participate in affiliate service and training.

Junior-Transfer Programs

The program is set up to facilitate fall Junior-Transfer students so they may complete the program within two years at Idaho State University. It takes January junior-transfer students two and one-half years to complete a bachelor's degree.

Employment Opportunities

Master's level graduates in speech-language pathology, audiology and EHI will find professional employment opportunities in community and private medical facilities, public school speech and hearing programs, public health and related governmental agencies, industry, and research. Academic teaching situations are available especially for those who wish to pursue the Ph.D. degree. Employment opportunities are excellent.

Academic Standards

Each student is responsible for completing the required coursework in proper sequential order. Required prerequisite courses must be completed before the student can enroll in upper division departmental courses. Transfer students may submit petitions to the department for equivalent recognition of these requirements. Deviations from the course sequence must be approved by the department chairman. A student must maintain a GPA of 2.25 and must obtain a letter grade of C or better in departmental courses counted toward fulfilling graduation requirements. A grade of D in any departmental course will not be counted toward satisfy action of requirements in the major. Courses may be repeated to improve grades.

Clinic Standards

Students within the department enroll in practicum activities as senior clinicians. Specified departmental requirements must be met before a student becomes a senior clinician. Once criteria have been met for senior clinicians, a student must enroll for 2 practicum credits each semester of the senior year. A clinic grade of C may precipitate a clinic progress contract to alleviate deficiencies. Health and fitness are essential because of the nature of the speech-language pathology and audiology profession. Health problems or disabilities will be evaluated in terms of students' ability to practice speech and hearing therapy effectively.