Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology

The Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology BS program at Loma Linda University is a two-year track that begins with the fall quarter of the junior year. This program is designed for individuals who have completed 96 quarter units (68 semester units) of general studies from an accredited college or university.

The LLU undergraduate program is specifically designed to prepare students for further study at the graduate level. Most students continue their education in an MS program in speech-language pathology. Other students complete graduate studies in audiology or in some other field of study. The master’s degree is required to enter the profession in most states, including California.

LLU offers the MS in speech-language pathology. The MS is the entry-level for practice in speech-language pathology in virtually all states, including California. LLU does not offer a graduate program in audiology.

Students in the Speech-Language Pathology BS Program apply to the School of Allied Health Professions. To be eligible for admission, the applicant must have completed a minimum of 96 quarter units (64 semester units) at an accredited college or university. The BS pre-requisite check off sheet (PDF - 76KB) includes the specific courses required. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is required. All transfer units must be completed with a grade of C or better.

1. Application forms are available online at www.llu.edu/apply/.
   
2. Complete official transcripts of all academic records from colleges, universities, and professional and/or technical schools must be provided. It is the applicant's responsibility to have transcripts sent directly to the School of Allied Health Professions Admissions, Nichol Hall, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350.
   
3. A personal interview is desirable and may be arranged with the pre-enrollment undergraduate advisor.
   
4. Applications are reviewed by the departmental faculty as they are received. The applicant's request for admission will not be reviewed until the applicant's file contains the necessary documents. The program faculty evaluates the application and makes its recommendation to the School of Allied Health Professions Admissions Committee. Admissions remain open until the class is full.
   
5. Students accepted may be asked to file a medical history with student health services as part of registration.
   
6. Transcripts of records and all other application documents are retained permanently by the University for students enrolled after acceptance and may not be withdrawn and used by students for any purpose. Records that do not result in enrollment are destroyed two years from the date of arrival in the School of Allied Health Professions.

1. Submission of applications in January and February is recommended.
   
2. Departmental faculty review applications beginning the second week of February. Acceptance will continue until the class is full.
   
3. The faculty sends its recommendation to the School of Allied Health Profession’s Admission Committee. This committee meets bimonthly.
   
4. Typically, the student will be notified approximately three weeks after the departmental review of the application.

Degree requirements for the BS include completion of:

· the general education requirements.

· the speech-language pathology and audiology program of instructions.

· sufficient electives to meet the 192 quarter units required for graduation.

SPPA 276 Communication Across the Lifespan (4)

SPPA 284 Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (3)

SPPA 304 Hearing Science (4)

SPPA 314 Language Analysis for Speech-Language Pathologists (4)

SPPA 317 Acoustic and Physiological Phonetics (2)

SPPA 318 Transcription Phonetics (3)

SPPA 324 Language Disorders of Children (4)

SPPA 334 Articulation Disorders (4)

SPPA 376 Anatomy of Speech and Hearing Mechanism (4)

SPPA 477 Bilingualism & Biculturalism II (2)

AHCJ 305 HIV/AIDS and the Health Professional (1)

AHCJ 328 Portfolio I (1)*

AHCJ 351 Statistics for the Health Professions (3)

AHCJ 461 Research Methods (2)

AHCJ 498 Portfolio II (1)*

PSYC 305 Psychological Foundations of Education (4)

PSYC 404 Standardized Testing in Education (3)

PSYC 460 The Exceptional Child (3)

PSYC 479 Human Neuropsychology (4)

---- --- Religion (8)

---- --- Electives (4-7)

Select 32 units from:

SPPA 217 Beginning Sign Language (3)

SPPA 424 Adult Language Pathology (4)

SPPA 426 Behavior Management Applications with Special Populations

SPPA 434 Disorders of Fluency (2)

SPPA 435 Voice Disorders (2)

SPPA 444 Organic Speech Disorders (4)

SPPA 445 Techniques for ESL & Accent Modification

SPPA 454 Hearing Problems and Basic Audiometry (4)

SPPA 467 Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practicum (1)

SPPA 377 Biculturalism & Bilingualism I (2)

SPPA 485 Procedures and Materials in Speech-Language Pathology (4)

SPPA 486 Diagnostic Methods in Speech-Language Pathology (4)

To count toward graduation, a minimum grade of C (2.0) is required for all courses.

* Undergraduate students in the School of Allied Health Professions will develop a portfolio during the junior and senior years. Students will register for Portfolio Practicum I during the junior year and Portfolio Practicum II during the senior year. The purpose of the portfolio is to allow students to demonstrate their work towards achieving the goals set forth by the University. These goals were developed to aid the student in achieving personal and professional balance in the spiritual, intellectual, social/emotional, and physical domains. The outcome will be a notebook containing examples of how the student has addressed the goals. This can include assignments from classes. Professors will include an icon in their syllabi to indicate coursework that meets portfolio requirements. Dr. Karen Mainess is the faculty consultant for the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.

A student must take any CLEP test within one quarter of getting his/her degree compliance report or the student will need to take the course.

Issues important to speech, language, and literacy development. Clinicianship that is sensitive to deaf culture.

Course may not be taught every year.

Focuses on learning American Sign Language (ASL) for conversational purposes. Finger spelling, a sign vocabulary of approximately 500 words, and acquisition of the basic grammatical rules of ASL. ASL contrasted with the various sign systems currently being used in educational settings in this country.

Overview of language development and normal changes over the lifespan. Development of language from infancy to adolescence, and the effects of aging on communication. Includes study of hearing.

Major types of disorders. Etiology and treatment. Survey course for students majoring in speech-language pathology and audiology, prospective teachers, and others who may encounter speech-language or hearing disorders in their professions.

Introduces basic theories and laboratory exercises in acoustics, psychoacoustics, and physiological acoustics.

Introduces techniques of linguistic analyses used in the study of phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics.

Acoustic and physiological correlates of speech-sound production.

Student develops transcription skills using the International Phonetic Alphabet.

Impairments of language development in children. Formal and informal assessment of children. Program planning and remediation procedures.

Definition, classification, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of phonological/articulation disorders.

Introduces the development and use of assistive technology. Use of assistive technology for individuals in need of augmentative or alternative means of communication.

Anatomy and physiology of auditory-vocal communicative process.

Explores theories and issues of bilingualism and biculturalism, introducing the literature that gives insights into the experiences and achievements of minority college students and young adults. Opportunities given to examine students' own identity and competence when faced with another culture or language. Critiques the efficacy of various bilingual/dual language education practices based on psycholinguistic models.

Impairment of language and speech related to organic neuropathology.

Addresses the principles of behavior modification and discrete- trials training as they apply to persons with autism, developmental delays, congenital syndromes, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders.

Characteristics, theories of etiology, and principles of management of stuttering and other fluency disorders.

Definition, classification, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of voice disorders. Pitch, intensity, quality, and resonance.

Introduces the classification, cause, manifestations, assessment, and treatment of craniofacial disorders/cleft palate, tongue thrust, dysarthria, apraxia of speech, and dysphagia.

Principles and procedures for teaching English as a second language (ESL) and accent modification to bilingual speakers of English.

Anatomy and physiology of the auditory mechanism. Nature of the acoustic stimulus, disorders of the ear, problems of the hard-of-hearing. Pure-tone audiometry. Applicable toward California audiometric certification.

Supervised practice in diagnosis and therapy.

Addresses the clinical competencies and cultural sensitivity needed in dealing with bicultural and bilingual clients. Discusses the impact of such knowledge on assessment

and intervention.

Principles and procedures of speech-language therapy within and across disorders. Methods of determining treatment effectiveness. Regulations governing public

school services.

Purposes for assessment. Procedures employed in describing and diagnosing speech-language impairments.

May be repeated with new content for additional credit.

Student submits a project or paper on a topic of current interest in an area related to speech-language pathology and audiology. Regular meetings to provide the student with guidance and evaluation. Elected on the basis of need or interest.

Contact information

Speech Language Department
School of Allied Health Professions
Loma Linda University
Nichol Hall Room A506
Loma Linda Ca 92350

Toll free phone: (800) 422-4558-1-4
Department phone: (909) 558-4998
Fax: (909) 558-4291
Email: sppa@llu.edu

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