DEPARTMENT OF SPEECH PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY

Chair: Stephen B. Hood (380-2600)
Professors: Hood, Sellers
Associate Professors: Besing, Dagenais, Evans, Koehnke, Shulman
Assistant Professors: Chase, Rubin
Clinical Instructors: Hardaway, Holston, Byrd
Adjunct Associate Professors: Brown, Sinnott

The primary objective of the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology is to develop scholarship in speech and hearing sciences and to assist students in the application of that scholarship to improve the communicative skills of persons with speech, language and hearing disorders. The undergraduate program is preparation for professional study on the graduate level. Upon completion of the Bachelor's and Master's programs, students will have met all academic and practicum requirements for national certification (ASHA-CCC) and the Alabama State License.

Students may register for SPA courses which have an SPA prerequisite only if a grade of "C" or better was achieved in the prerequisite course. "C" reflects only the letter grade since some courses will require an 80% or 90% competency level for passing. Speech and Hearing majors are expected to maintain an overall grade-point average acceptable for admission to a graduate program.

Course requirements for the baccalaureate degree are outlined below.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN
SPEECH AND HEARING SCIENCES
Anthropology 100 - 4 credits
Biology 151, 152 - 10 credits
Computer and Information Sciences 150 - 4 credits
English 101, 102, and 388 - 12 credits
Mathematics 171 and 172, or Mathematics 120 and 121 - 8 credits
Physics 103 or 111 - 4 credits
Philosophy 110 or 121 or 131
Psychology 32 hours selected from PSY 210, 211, 222, 375, 380, 383, 425, 484, 485
Statistics 175 and ST 275 - 8 credits
P.E. or ROTC - 6 credits
Fine Arts Elective - 4 credits
Sociology 109 - 4 credits
Electives - 40 hours selected from:

1. Issues in Aging: 8 hours selected from PSY 354, BLY 207, HSC 450, 457, SY 372, LS 379, GER 201.
2. Multicultural Issues: 8 hours selected from EDF 315, AN 200, AN 458, SY 320, 326, 345, 355, PSY 201, EPY 315
3. Computer Science/Technology: 8 hours selected from CIS 110, 140, 141, 142, 315, ST 334, EDM 310, 312
4. Human Development: 8 hours selected from PSY 352, 353, 371, EPY 251, 451

For students who will be seeking Class A Certification (at the graduate level), the remaining 8 credit hours should be taken in SPE 200, 201 and 468. Other students may select the remaining 8 credit hours from any courses in the above list of category A, B, C and D.

Prior to enrolling in SPA courses at the 300- and 400-level, students must complete at least 20 credits of electives in Categories A, B, C, and D above. At least one course must be taken in each category. Student must have achieved an overall GPA of 2.5 in order to enroll in SPA 300- and 400-level courses.

REQUIRED SPEECH PATHOLOGY AND
AUDIOLOGY COURSES
54 credits as given below:

SPA 290, 291, 312, 313, 331, 341, 414, 431, 441, 470

Students must also complete either an Audiology or Speech Pathology option.
(Note: SPA 312, 313, 414 must be taken in sequence)
For Speech-Language Pathology emphasis: SPA 451, 461, 480, 481, 482*

For Audiology emphasis: SPA 471, 472, 480, 481, 482*
*May be repeated with consent of department chair.

A special course fee is assessed in each of the following courses:

Pre-Professional Preparation Program in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology For Students Holding a Bachelor's Degree in Another Discipline
The Pre-Professional Preparation Program in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology offers appropriate prerequisite undergraduate course work to individuals who hold a bachelor's degree in an area other than speech and hearing science, speech-language pathology, audiology, or communication disorders. Additionally, this program adequately prepares students for competitive admission consideration to the department's M.S. programs in speech-language pathology and audiology. Successful completion of this program does not guarantee admission to the M.S. programs in speech and hearing sciences.

Given the structured curriculum in this special track, students are admitted Fall Quarter only. It is expected that students admitted to the program will complete the program in one academic year. Students who do not complete the program in one academic year may reapply to the department on a competitive, space available basis. Students interested in this program should contact the Department for an application packet prior to the May 1 deadline.

Admission requirements for the Pre-Professional Preparation Program include:

1. A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale)
2. A score of at least 1000 on the Graduate Record Examination (Verbal+Quantitative subtests)
3. Supporting course work in biology, mathematics, statistics, computer and information sciences, english, and psychology equivalent to such requirements in the undergraduate speech and hearing sciences major (see previous pages in this Bulletin).

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SPEECH AND HEARING SCIENCES
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech and Hearing Sciences serves either as professional preparation for clinical certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) or as preparation for graduate study leading to the Ph.D. degree. The M.S. program provides a broad range of basic science courses and specialized offerings emphasizing evaluation and treatment of language, articulation, fluency, voice, hearing, and neurologically-based communication disorders. Students are prepared for careers as clinicians in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and community clinics. Clinical practicum opportunities are available at the on-campus Speech and Hearing Center and many affiliated clinics, rehabilitation centers, schools, and hospitals. Within this framework, students who elect an emphasis in speech pathology or audiology must meet the academic and practicum requirements for national certification (The Certificate of Clinical Competence awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) and State of Alabama Licensure in their major professional area. Students may elect to satisfy requirements of the Alabama State Department of Education for Class A certification. For specific requirements consult the Department Chair (334)380-2600. Those students who choose an emphasis in communication sciences follow an individualized program of studies consistent with their career goals. Depending upon undergraduate preparation, the M.S. program typically extends for seven academic quarters, including one full quarter of clinical externship. Graduate assistantships and tuition fellowships are available annually on a competitive basis. Applications for admission and assistantships are accepted throughout the academic year with enrollment beginning in the Fall Quarter only. The deadline for receipt of all application materials is March 1. Specific information about the Masters program is available from the department.

The academic (i.e., Master of Science) and clinical programs are fully accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation and Professional Services Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION
Students are admitted in the Fall Quarter only.

The following criteria supplement the Graduate School criteria (see Categories of Admission):

REGULAR ADMISSION

1. Score of at least 1000 on GRE General Test (Verbal plus Quantitative subtest scores).
2. For students who have had a structured clinical practicum experience, evidence of acceptable clinical performance in undergraduate practicum is required. Some students may be expected to enroll in SPA 480, 481, and/or 482.
3. Overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and,
4. Three letters of recommendation.

PROVISIONAL ADMISSION

1. Score of at least 850 on GRE General Test (Verbal plus Quantitative subtest scores).
2. For students who have had a structured clinical practicum experience, evidence of acceptable clinical performance in undergraduate practicum is required. Some students may be expected to enroll in SPA 480, 481, and/or 482.
3. Overall undergraduate GPA of 2.5 and,
4. Three letters of recommendation.

Because the number of applicants is greater than the number of vacancies in the program, students will be admitted on a competitive basis, based on the criteria stated above. Because of limited course sequencing, students are admitted in Fall Quarter only. Students should submit complete applications by March 1 of the year in which they intend to matriculate.

In addition, students should have a course in human anatomy and physiology, an adequate background in psychology, and one course each in basic statistics and computer science. In order to meet ASHA certification requirements, students are strongly encouraged to complete course work in areas dealing with multiculturalism, aging/gerontology, and human development. Students with a bachelor's degree in other fields will be expected to meet PPP program requirements in speech pathology and audiology.

GENERAL INFORMATION
When a student is accepted into the M.S. program, the Graduate Committee will determine whether or not the student will be required to take a written qualifying examination. The examination consists of a battery of questions developed to test the student's general knowledge of basic facts and concepts which should have been obtained in undergraduate Speech and Hearing Sciences courses. The results of the examination will be used for advising purposes only. Graduates of the University of South Alabama program will generally not be required to take qualifying examinations because the faculty will already be familiar with the student's performance. However, in certain circumstances, University of South Alabama graduates may be required to take qualifying examinations, especially if they have been out of the department for several years.

Students with undergraduate degrees in Speech Pathology and Audiology from other institutions who are admitted as regular students may be exempt from qualifying examinations as determined by the Graduate Committee. Students who have undergraduate degrees from other institutions and who are admitted provisionally because of a GPA lower than 3.0 may be required to take the qualifying examinations.

Students who are to take qualifying examinations should do so prior to registration for the first quarter of graduate work. For information concerning examination dates, contact the departmental office.

All students must complete a common core of twenty credit hours plus a minimum of twenty-eight credit hours in the area of major emphasis (speech pathology or audiology) and at least four hours in the minor professional area (audiology or speech pathology). In addition, students must meet all of the academic and clinical requirements for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's Certificate of Clinical Competence.

REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREE
The Master of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences degree requires a minimum of six quarters of full-time academic study plus one quarter of full-time externship in a professional service setting.
Schematics of

he M.S. curricula with emphases in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology are illustrated on the following page.

COURSE SEQUENCE
Master of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences
Speech-Language Pathology Emphasis

Year 2

COURSE SEQUENCE
Master of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences
Audiology Emphasis

Year 1

Year 2

A special course fee of $15.00 is assessed in SPA 596.

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM IN
COMMUNICATION SCIENCES AND DISORDERS
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program in Communication Sciences and Disorders offers students specialization in speech and language pathology, communication science, or audiology. The doctoral program is designed to provide a formal course of training and advanced research in communication sciences and disorders that produces significant, original contributions to the professional discipline. Supplementary course work in experimental research design and statistics and optional interdisciplinary medical rotations maximize the student's ability to engage in original research and scholarship. A doctoral student is admitted to candidacy upon passing a written and oral comprehensive examination.

The Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology offers two doctoral program options depending upon the student's academic background. Option A (Non-Traditional Track) is a post Bachelor's doctoral program while Option B (Traditional Track) is a post Master's doctoral program. Each track is described below.

Option A: Non-Traditional Track (Post Bachelor's Program)
Students in the Non-Traditional Track enroll in Master's level course work for the initial portion of their program. They also enroll in CSD 600 (Doctoral Colloquium) to afford them, at the outset, an opportunity to interact with other doctoral students. During the Summer Quarter of the first year, Option A students begin directed independent research. The Non-Traditional doctoral track usually takes a minimum of four years of full-time study to complete.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION
Minimum admission consideration requirements are as follows:

1. Bachelor's degree in speech-language pathology or audiology, or successful completion of undergraduate equivalency course work in the professional area for which the degree is sought.
2. Minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.2 (based on 4.0).
3. Minimum undergraduate GPA in the professional area of 3.5.
4. Combined score of at least 1500 on the Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical portions of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
5. Three letters of recommendation.
6. A written statement of the applicant's research goals and purpose(s) for pursuing the Ph.D. program in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Option B: Traditional Track (Post Master's Program)
Students in the Traditional Track initially enroll in doctoral level core course work followed by directed research experience culminating in the dissertation over the remaining years in the program. The Traditional Track usually takes a minimum of three years of full-time study to complete.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION
Minimum admission consideration requirements are as follows:

1. Master's degree in speech-language pathology, audiology, speech and hearing science, or equivalent.
2. An overall graduate GPA of 3.5 (based on a 4.0-point system).
3. Three letters of recommendation.
4. A written statement of the applicant's research goals and purpose(s) for pursuing the Ph.D. program in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and
5. For assistantship/fellowship applicants, official GRE scores are required.
6. Foreign applicants must also demonstrate competence, fluency, and intelligibility in both written and spoken English.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Curriculum
The Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Communication Sciences and Disorders requires a minimum of 96 quarter hours of approved graduate course work beyond the Master's degree broken down as follows:

APPLICATION
Applications for admission and assistantships are accepted throughout the academic year with enrollment beginning in the Fall Quarter. The deadline for receipt of all application materials is March 1. Specific information about each doctoral program option may be obtained from the department.

GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS/TUITION FELLOWSHIPS
Graduate assistantships and tuition fellowships are available annually on a competitive basis.

TRANSFER CREDIT
Normally, students are not permitted to transfer doctoral level credits. Exceptions to this policy would require approval of the Director of Graduate Studies and the Dean of the Graduate School.

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
A written comprehensive examination and subsequent oral examination will be administered and passed during the quarter in which all academic work will be completed, and prior to the time the student defends the dissertation prospectus.

CANDIDACY
Admission to candidacy will be achieved upon successful completion of the written and oral comprehensive examinations. The doctoral candidate is, therefore, a student who has fulfilled all preliminary requirements for the Ph.D. and has only the dissertation research as the remaining program requirement.

DISSERTATION/DISSERTATION DEFENSE
While only 32 quarter hours of dissertation research may count towards the degree, a student must continually enroll in CSD 699 (Dissertation Research) until the final dissertation document has been approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. The final oral defense of the dissertation is scheduled after the dissertation is completed except for such revisions as may be necessary as a result of the defense or Graduate School evaluation.

TIME LIMIT
Students have three years from the time they begin the doctoral program to reach candidacy. After reaching candidacy, students have a maximum of two years to complete the dissertation.

DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL SPEECH PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY (SPA) COURSES BEGIN ON PAGE 319.

College of Allied Health Professions