6.6
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIVE DISORDERS
(CD)
Chairperson: Professor Karen F. Steckol,
Office:
700 University Boulevard
East
The Department of Communicative
Disorders offers a graduate program leading to the master of science degree in speech-language
pathology. The program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation through
the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
The program combines coursework,
observation, and practicums to familiarize students with communicative disorders
and to develop their skills in assessment and rehabilitation. Most students with
undergraduate degrees in communicative disorders will complete the degree requirements
in five semesters of full-time study. Students who complete the master's degree
will also have met the academic and practicum requirements for the Certificate of
Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and for
a license from the State of Alabama. These credentials enable graduates to be employed
in clinical settings as well as in the public schools of
Alabama
and many other states, depending upon their certification requirements.
Practicum sites include UA's Speech
and Hearing Center, public schools, DCH Regional Medical Center, University Medical
Center, West Alabama Rehabilitation Center, Bryce Hospital, RISE Program, VA Medical
Centers in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, and other sites in the Birmingham area. Certified
and/or licensed professionals supervise at all sites.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must submit scores on
the Graduate Record Examination general test or the Miller Analogies Test. After
admission to a program, each student's effectiveness will be given a broad-based
evaluation by faculty and supervisors. Decisions on clinical placement, completion
of the program, or termination of the student from the program will be based on
factors such as course grades, demonstrated clinical competence, and personality
factors. See the "Academic Policies" portion of this catalog for more
information.
Degree Requirements
The requirements for the master
of science degree follow the general policies outlined in the
Graduate School
portion of this catalog under
"Degree Requirements."
Course Descriptions
Students may not
receive credit at both the 400 and 500 levels for courses of equivalent content.
Graduate students enrolled in 500-level courses that are also offered at the 400
level will be expected to perform extra work of an appropriate nature. Graduate
credit will not be granted at the 400 level.
CD 501
Introduction to Research Methods. Three hours.
Study of research methods for use in communicative disorders and related
disciplines. Emphasis on evaluation of experimental design for clinical research
and critical reading of published research.
CD 502 Language Diagnosis and Intervention: School Aged. Two hours.
Presentation and discussion of theories, practices, and methods of differential
diagnosis and language intervention for language-impaired children ages 6–21.
CD 506 Sociolinguistics in Speech-Language Pathology. Two hours.
A framework for systematically analyzing cultural similarities and differences.
Examination of cultural differences, verbal and nonverbal, in the clinical
setting.
CD 509 Language Development. Two hours.
Advanced study of normal language and communication development. Presentation
and discussion of theories, individual differences, and cultural differences in
typically developing children.
CD 512 Language Diagnosis and Intervention: Birth to Five. Two hours.
Presentation and discussion of theories, practices, and methods of differential
diagnosis and language intervention for language-impaired children ages birth to
five.
CD 515 Professional Issues. One hour.
Study of professional issues in the field of communicative sciences and
disorders. Includes current issues, practice standards, certification,
licensure, ethics, employment, and professional organizations.
CD 516 Multicultural Issues. Two hours.
Study of multicultural issues and how they affect speech and language.
Presentation and discussion of American cultures and communicative differences.
CD 517 Advanced Clinical Practicum, Speech. One to three hours.
Individual assignments in selected areas of speech and language therapy.
Clinical practice and scholarly investigation, with regular staff consultation.
CD 520 Special Topics in Communicative Disorders. One to three hours.
Graduate students will enroll in special topics one or more times depending upon
offerings and student program interests. Topics will vary annually to reflect
students' needs for educational experiences within the profession appropriate at
the time.
CD 551 Phonological Development, Assessment, and Intervention: Birth to
Three. One hour.
Advanced study of normal phonological/articulation development. Presentation and
discussion of theories, practices, differential diagnosis, and intervention of
disorders of articulation/phonology ages birth to three.
CD 553 Acquired Language and Related Disorders in Adults. Three hours.
Advanced study of the nature, assessment, and treatment of language and
cognitive disorders associated with acquired brain injury, such as stroke, TBI,
and dementia.
CD 554 Fluency Disorders. Two hours.
The study of the nature, assessment, and treatment of stuttering. Emphasis on
understanding the different onset and developmental theories and different
approaches to treatment.
CD 555 Voice Disorders. Two hours.
Advanced study of the physiological, acoustical, and psychological factors
underlying voice disorders, methods of rehabilitation, and problems in research.
CD 556 Acquired Motor Speech Disorders: Adults. Two hours.
Advanced study of the nature, assessment, and treatment of acquired speech
disorders including dysarthria and apraxia. Underlying neuroanatomy and
neurophysiology will be included.
CD 557 Language Diagnosis and Intervention: Special Populations. Two
hours.
Theories, practices, and methods of differential diagnosis and intervention for
language and phonology in multicultural, behaviorally disordered, severely
multi-handicapped, mentally retarded, and learning disabled populations.
CD 575 Dysphagia in Children. One hour.
Advanced study of the nature, assessment, and treatment of swallowing disorders
in children. Special populations (tracheostomized, ventilator) will be included.
CD 576 Dysphagia in Adults. Two hours.
Advanced study of the nature, assessment, and treatment of swallowing disorders
in adults. Special populations (tracheostomized, ventilator-dependent) will be
included.
CD 577 Phonological Development, Assessment, and Intervention: Four and
Older. One hour.
Advanced study of normal phonological/articulation development. Presentation and
discussion of theories, practices, differential diagnosis, and intervention in
children ages four and above.
CD 578 Laryngectomy Rehabilitation. One hour.
Advanced study of the etiology/surgical removal of the larynx, with emphasis on
methods of speech rehabilitation including prosthetic speech, esophageal speech,
and the electrolarynx.
CD 579 Introduction to Diagnostics in Speech-Language Pathology. One
hour.
Diagnostic techniques that cross disorder areas: case histories, oral peripheral
exams, hearing screenings, interview techniques, etc.
CD 597 Case Studies in Speech-Language Pathology. One hour.
Multidimensional case studies are presented for discussion and case management.
Strategies for successful completion of comprehensive and PRAXIS exams are
discussed.
CD 598 Research Not Related to Thesis. One to six hours.
Planning, executing, and evaluating research. For students following Plan II.
CD 599 Thesis Research. One to six hours.
All aspects of the thesis, from selecting a problem to writing the results and
conclusions.
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