Listening and Spoken Language Graduate Certificate Program
A speech therapist playing with a little boy.
Listening and Spoken Language Graduate Certificate
Prepare to Support Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Their Families
The Idaho State University Listening and Spoken Language Graduate Certificate provides advanced interdisciplinary preparation for graduate students who want to serve young children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and their families who want to optimize spoken language potential.
Students develop specialized knowledge in pediatric hearing, auditory development, spoken language, literacy, family-centered practice, and the complex needs of children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing.
The certificate is available to eligible students enrolled in a graduate degree program at Idaho State University. Students apply separately to the Listening and Spoken Language Graduate Certificate while completing their primary graduate degree.
One Certificate. Multiple Ways to Participate.
All students begin with the ISU Listening and Spoken Language Graduate Certificate.
Some students may also qualify for one of two additional opportunities:
- IHEAR, which provides federally funded personnel preparation and additional clinical experiences for eligible ISU graduate students.
- LSLS LaunchPad, a pilot opportunity through which selected students complete additional professional experiences related to future Listening and Spoken Language Specialist certification by AG Bell.
Participation in IHEAR or LSLS LaunchPad is not required to complete the ISU Listening and Spoken Language Graduate Certificate.
Certificate Coursework
Students complete five specialized courses:
- CSD 6691: Seminar in Pediatric Hearing
- CSD 6677: Foundations of Listening and Spoken Language
- CSD 6652: Auditory Language Learning
- CSD 6655: Seminar in Literacy Development of Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
- CSD 6691: Seminar in Universal Design for Learning and Complex Cases/DHH+
The courses are completed alongside the requirements of the student’s primary ISU graduate degree program.
Students who successfully complete the certificate requirements receive the Idaho State University Listening and Spoken Language Graduate Certificate.
Choose Your Path
Path 1: ISU LSL Graduate Certificate
Best for students who:
- Are enrolled in an ISU graduate degree program
- Want specialized preparation in listening and spoken language
- Do not need or are not eligible for IHEAR funding
- Are not participating in LSLS LaunchPad
Students Complete:
- The five required certificate courses
- Required certificate projects and learning experiences
- Their regular graduate degree requirements
Students receive:
- The ISU Listening and Spoken Language Graduate Certificate
Path 2: IHEAR Scholar
The Idaho Hearing Education and Aural Rehabilitation program, known as IHEAR, is a federally funded personnel-preparation opportunity supported by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs.
IHEAR prepares interdisciplinary cohorts of graduate students to provide comprehensive, family-centered services to children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and their families.
IHEAR scholars complete:
- All five ISU LSL Graduate Certificate courses
- Additional clinical or field-based experiences
- Interprofessional learning activities
- Their primary ISU graduate degree requirements
- Any additional IHEAR grant obligations
IHEAR scholars receive:
- The ISU Listening and Spoken Language Graduate Certificate
- Specialized interdisciplinary preparation
- Financial support, as specified by the IHEAR program
- Additional clinical and professional experiences
Important distinction
IHEAR is a funding and personnel-preparation pathway, not a separate academic certificate.
Students may complete the ISU LSL Graduate Certificate without being an IHEAR scholar. Students selected for IHEAR complete the certificate as part of their IHEAR preparation.
IHEAR funding is available during the 2023–2028 federal grant period and is limited to eligible students, disciplines, and available cohort positions.
Path 3: LSLS LaunchPad
LSLS LaunchPad is a pilot collaboration among Idaho State University, Samford University, and Butler University.
The program is designed for a selected subset of students who want to extend their preparation beyond the ISU LSL Graduate Certificate and begin building professional experiences that may support a future pathway toward international Listening and Spoken Language Specialist certification.
LSLS LaunchPad students complete:
- The five ISU LSL Graduate Certificate courses
- Additional guided experiences
- Additional documented hours or professional learning activities
- Continuing education opportunities
- Pilot-specific requirements established by the participating universities
LSLS LaunchPad students receive:
- The ISU Listening and Spoken Language Graduate Certificate
- Additional professional preparation related to Listening and Spoken Language Specialist competencies
- Opportunities to begin organizing coursework, experiences, and professional development toward possible future certification
Important distinction
LSLS LaunchPad does not itself award international LSLS certification. Certification is granted by the appropriate international certifying organization after all applicable requirements have been met.
LSLS LaunchPad participation is limited and separate from IHEAR funding. A student may participate in IHEAR without participating in LSLS LaunchPad.
Compare the Opportunities
|
Program or Path |
ISU Graduate Student |
Completes LSL Certificate |
Receives OSEP Funding |
Additional Clinical Experiences |
Additional LSLS Preparation |
|
LSL Certificate Only |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Certificate requirements |
No |
|
IHEAR Scholar |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes, if selected |
Yes |
Not necessarily |
|
LSLS LaunchPad |
Yes |
Yes |
Not through LaunchPad |
Yes, as required by the pilot |
Yes |
|
IHEAR and LaunchPad |
Only when separately selected for both |
Yes |
Through IHEAR |
Yes |
Yes |
Eligibility
ISU LSL Graduate Certificate
Applicants must:
- Be admitted to or enrolled in an eligible Idaho State University graduate degree program
- Meet ISU Graduate School requirements
- Apply separately to the LSL Graduate Certificate
- Be able to complete the certificate courses alongside their primary program of study
Students from graduate programs across Idaho State University may be considered when the certificate coursework is relevant to their professional goals.
IHEAR
IHEAR eligibility is more specific because it is governed by the requirements of the federal personnel-preparation grants.
Applicants must:
- Be enrolled in an eligible ISU graduate program (Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology, or Special Education)
- Meet all LSL Graduate Certificate requirements
- Meet IHEAR grant eligibility requirements
- Commit to the required coursework, experiences, and service obligations
- Be selected for an available funded position
LSLS LaunchPad
LaunchPad applicants must:
- Be eligible for or enrolled in the ISU LSL Graduate Certificate
- Express an interest in advanced Listening and Spoken Language preparation
- Commit to the additional pilot requirements
- Be selected for one of the limited LaunchPad positions
How to Apply
Step 1: Apply to an ISU Graduate Degree Program
Students must first be admitted to an Idaho State University graduate degree program.
Step 2: Apply to the LSL Graduate Certificate
Students submit the required application materials for admission to the ISU Listening and Spoken Language Graduate Certificate.
Step 3: Indicate Interest in Additional Opportunities
As part of the application or advising process, students may indicate whether they would like to be considered for:
- IHEAR funding and personnel preparation
- LSLS LaunchPad
- Both opportunities, when eligible
Selection for either opportunity is separate from admission to the certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The ISU LSL Graduate Certificate is the academic program. IHEAR is an additional funded opportunity available to selected eligible students.
Yes. IHEAR scholars complete the LSL Graduate Certificate coursework and requirements as part of their funded preparation.
No. Students may be admitted to the certificate without being selected for IHEAR.
Yes. IHEAR and LSLS LaunchPad are separate opportunities. Participation in one does not automatically require participation in the other.
Yes, when the student meets the LaunchPad eligibility and selection requirements.
No. LaunchPad provides additional preparation and opportunities that may be applied toward future certification requirements. Students must still meet all requirements established by the international certifying organization.
Eligible students enrolled in ISU graduate programs may apply to the certificate when the program aligns with their academic and professional goals. IHEAR funding may be restricted to the disciplines identified in the federal grants.
The courses are completed alongside the student’s approved graduate program of study. Whether individual courses can also fulfill requirements or electives within the primary degree should be determined with the student’s graduate advisor and program director.
Which Path Is Right for Me?
Choose the LSL Graduate Certificate if you want the specialized coursework and ISU credential.
Apply for IHEAR if you are in an eligible graduate discipline and want to be considered for funding, interdisciplinary preparation, and additional clinical experiences.
Apply for LSLS LaunchPad if you want to complete additional experiences and professional development related to a possible future pathway toward international LSLS certification.
Students who are unsure which opportunity fits their goals are encouraged to contact the program director.
Contact
Kristina Blaiser, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Project Director
Idaho State University
KristinaBlaiser@isu.edu