MS SLL Core Courses
There are 16 core didactic courses and 7 core clinical registrations. The initial 3 clinical registrations (Intro to Clinical Methods, Clinical Methods: Pediatric Populations, Clinical Methods: Adult Populations) have a didactic component.
CSD 455 Clinical Speech Anatomy, Physiology, and Motor Control (1 Unit)
Exploration of the structural and functional intricacies of the upper aerodigestive tract and concepts of motor control and learning as they pertain to speech and swallowing. Anatomical structures and physiology of the speech mechanism, including oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal structures and the respiratory system are reviewed and theories of motor control and learning are introduced. Clinical scenarios and populations provide the context for concept exploration.
CSD 456 Clinical Neuroanatomy and Physiology (1 Unit)
Exploration of the structures and circuits in the human nervous system mediating motor, sensory, perceptual, linguistic, and cognitive functions. Introduction to physiologic and behavioral deficits associated with neurological pathologies.
CSD 457 Language Science (1 Unit)
Introduction to theories and supporting experimental evidence regarding human recognition and understanding of written and spoken language. Discussion regarding psycholinguistic, neurolinguistic, and cognitive neuropsychological research focused on understanding the neurocognitive mechanisms supporting lexical-semantic and syntactic processes. Emphasis on relevance of lexical-semantic and syntactic theories, models and data to understanding both developmental and acquired language disorders.
CSD 458 Scientific Clinical Decision Making (1 Unit)
Exploration of current best evidence in making decisions about the assessment and treatment of individuals with communication disorders. Overview of different research methodologies as well as tools to evaluate the quality of different types of research studies. Emphasis on the integration of research evidence and critical thinking into practice.
CSD 460 Counseling and Effective Communication in SLP (1 Unit)
Exploration of the concepts of counseling as applied to therapeutic relationships in SLP, with a focus on the SLP’s role in supporting the client’s acceptance, growth, autonomy, and decision making. Emphasis on clinician self-awareness as a requisite component for effective counseling. Opportunity for practice of skills during structured exercises.
CSD 461 Augmentative and Alternative Communication across the Lifespan (1 Unit)
Overview of the use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) across the lifespan. Emphasis on assessment of personal skills and abilities for use of AAC, identification of barriers to communication and participation, and intervention strategies. Exploration of issues of funding and advocacy.
CSD 462 Professional Issues in SLP (1 unit)
Analysis of a wide variety of issues pertinent to the professional life of the SLP including scope of service, regulatory agencies, workplace skills, employment settings, infection control, and ethics. Exploration of team membership and conflict resolution as well as concepts of cultural awareness and sensitivity, advocacy, and leadership.
CSD 463 The Field of Special Education (1 Unit)
Exploration of educational approaches to working with exceptional students, including those with disabilities, in regular and special education classrooms. Review of legal mandates for school with students with disabilities. Discussion of the effect of children with disabilities on the family constellation. Content covered as required by IL standards.
CSD 464 Linguistic and Cultural Diversity in Speech and Language Development and Disorders (1 Unit)
Study of culture and communication in linguistically diverse populations across the lifespan. Exploration of bilingual speech and language acquisition in typically and atypically developing children. Discussion regarding the potential for cross-cultural, cross-linguistic, and bilingual issues during assessment and treatment and methods for minimizing bias. Introduction to acquired speech and language disorders in bilingual adults.
CSD 472 Introduction to Clinical Methods (0 Units)
Exploration of the fundamentals of clinical methods, including the concepts of behavior change, session design, and functional, client-focused treatment. Discussion of data collection and documentation methods. Introduction to the assessment process.
CSD 473 Clinical Methods: Pediatric Populations (0 Units)
Clinical experience in the evaluation and treatment of pediatric clients. Registration includes assignment to clinical teams, clinical team meetings, and didactic coursework addressing clinical methods with pediatric clients. Students assessed by clinical performance, team contribution, and didactic performance.
CSD 474 Clinical Methods: Adult Populations (0 Units)
Clinical experience in the evaluation and treatment of adult clients. Registration includes assignment to clinical teams, clinical team meetings, and didactic coursework addressing clinical methods with adult clients. Students assessed by clinical performance, team contribution, and didactic performance.
CSD 475 Advanced Clinical Methods 1 (1 Unit)
Clinical experience in the evaluation and treatment of a variety of clients. Registration includes assignment to clinical teams and clinical team meetings. Students assessed by clinical performance and team contribution.
CSD 477 Advanced Clinical Methods 2 (1-2 Units)
Clinical experience in the evaluation and treatment of a variety of clients. Registration includes assignment to clinical teams and clinical team meetings. Students assessed by clinical performance and team contribution.
CSD 478 Externship: Public School Practicum (2-3 Units)
Full time supervised practicum in a public school setting. Students assessed by clinical performance and setting appropriate professional behaviors and skills.
CSD 479 Externship: Clinical Practicum (2-3 Units)
Full time supervised practicum in a health-based or other clinical setting, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient facilities, early intervention, private practices, or private schools. Students assessed by clinical performance and setting appropriate professional behaviors and skills.
CSD 490 Adult Neuromotor Speech Disorders (1 Unit)
Examination of the potential etiologies and characteristics of motor speech disorders in adults, including acoustic, perceptual, physiologic, and neurologic correlates. Focus on assessment, diagnosis, and effective treatment. Emphasis on the integration of normative data, scientific knowledge, and clinical practice.
CSD 491 Pediatric Speech Sound Disorders (1 Unit)
Overview of potential etiologies and characteristics of speech sound disorders in children. Focus on assessment, diagnosis, and effective treatment of articulation and phonological disorders as well as childhood apraxia of speech. Emphasis on the integration of normative data, scientific knowledge, and clinical practice.
CSD 492 Pediatric Language Disorders (1 Unit)
Overview of potential etiologies and characteristics of language disorders in children from infancy through adolescence. Focus on assessment, diagnosis, and effective treatment of children with specific language impairments, autism spectrum disorders, and cognitively based language impairments as well as the interplay between language, learning, and literacy. Emphasis on the integration of normative data, scientific knowledge, and clinical practice.
CSD 493 Vocal Physiology and Pathology (1 Unit)
Overview of the anatomy and physiology of voice production. Exploration of diagnosis and management of congenital, acquired, and non-organic disorders of phonation. Emphasis on the integration of normative data, scientific knowledge, and clinical practice.
CSD 494 Fluency and Fluency Disorders (1 Unit)
Overview of potential etiologies and characteristics of fluency disorders in children and adults. Focus on assessment, diagnosis, and effective treatment of stuttering across the lifespan. Consideration of the experience of stuttering from the point of view of the person who stutters. Emphasis on the integration of normative data, scientific knowledge, and clinical practice.
CSD 495 Acquired Neurolinguistic and Neurocognitive Disorders (1 Unit)
Examination of the neural bases and characteristics of acquired linguistic and cognitive disorders, including aphasia, dementia, and right hemisphere syndrome. Exploration of how normal language and cognitive systems are fractionated by brain damage. Focus on assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and recovery processes associated with these disorders. Emphasis on the integration of normative data, scientific knowledge, and clinical practice.
CSD 497 Swallow Physiology and Pathology (1 Unit)
Exploration of the anatomy and physiology of normal swallowing and the anatomic and physiologic disturbances affecting deglutition. Focus on recognizing clinical and radiographic signs and symptoms of dysphagia and selection and implementation of treatment and management. Discussion of ethical considerations. Emphasis on the integration of normative data, scientific knowledge, and clinical practice.
MS SLL Elective Courses
In addition to the required core didactic and clinical coursework students are required to take one elective. Students may choose to continue along a generalist track, taking electives that support development of clinical skills across a variety of patient populations or service delivery models. Conversely, students may focus their time and attention on a specific population or area of study.
Presently, electives are typically selected from the following list, although with the advisors’ permission, the student may elect a graduate level course from outside the department. The course must be one that will support practice within the field of SLP. Please note: we are in the process of revising and updating our elective curriculum.
CSD 339 Early Communication Intervention in Infants and Toddlers (1 unit)
Models of service systems, current practices in early intervention, legislation, infant development processes, and risk factors. Emphasis on individual family service planning, assessment, and intervention.
CSD 376 Diagnostic and Remedial Approaches (1 unit)
This course is designed to introduce students to the field of learning disabilities, its theoretical perspectives, principles of assessment and instruction, and the process of clinical teaching. A lifespan perspective is taken. Emphases are placed on instruction, accommodation, service delivery, progress monitoring, and transition. Prerequisite: CSD 373
CSD 388 Attention Deficit Disorder and Related Behavior Disorders (1 unit)
Identification and treatment of attention deficit disorders and related childhood behavior disorders. Emphasis on objective and subjective assessment, life-span issues, and medical and psychological interventions.
CSD 433 Craniofacial Anomalies and Syndromes (1 unit)
Comprehensive study of the interdisciplinary team approach to the identification, evaluation, and treatment of cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial malformations. Prerequisites: CSD 301 and CSD 491-1.
CSD 439 Management of Feeding Disorders in Infants and Toddlers (1 unit)
The course will address the nature and management of atypical feeding patterns in infants and toddlers. Content will include: a review of normal structural and physiological differences in oral pharyngeal function for sucking, chewing and swallowing; atypical patterns; consideration of nutrition and failure to thrive; and intervention techniques.
CSD 441 Infant and Toddler Assessment (1 unit)
Principles involved in the process of assessment, issues that impact on diagnosis, standardized assessment instruments, and informal assessment techniques. All domains of development are included - cognition, speech and language, motor skills, and affective development.
CSD 444 Development and Disorders of Mathematics (1 unit)
Theories and research on mathematical development and disorders. Identification, assessment, and remediation of disorders of mathematics and related areas.
CSD 487 Advanced Issues in Literacy Disorders (1 unit)
This course will provide theoretical perspectives on typical and atypical development of literacy skills. Current and historical models of reading and written language and their implications for instruction will be presented. Efficacy-based interventions and the use of technology will be addressed.
CSD 491-2 Advanced Studies in Speech Sound Disorders (.5 units)
Advanced study of research in the evaluation and treatment of articulation and phonological disorders in children. Application in the design of treatment protocols.
CSD 493-2 Advanced Studies in Voice Problems (.5 units)
Review of research with application to treatments of voice disorders in special populations. Emphasis on techniques for clinical decision-making, case management, and laboratory measurement.
CSD 494-2 Advanced Studies in Disorders of Fluency (.5 units)
Analysis of approaches for treating stuttering and related disorders in relation to current theory and research. Pediatric and adult populations.
CSD 496 Approaches to Cognitive Treatment (1 unit)
The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of acquired disorders of cognition and approaches to their clinical management.
Noon Conference
Noon Conference serves a variety of purposes, including discussion of professional issues, presentations by guest speakers, and student presentations of clinical cases. Noon Conference scheduling is typically themed in the following manner, though exceptions may occur based on guest speaker availability:
- Fall Quarter:
- Strategies for success in graduate school and clinical practice
- Winter and Spring Quarters:
- Clinical populations and service delivery models
- Clinical skills and techniques useful in service provision
- Specialty areas
- Summer Quarter:
- Resume writing and interviewing
- Licensing and credentialing basics
- Praxis
- CFY basic