The Speech-Language Pathology Transitional Master's Program is designed for individuals who have graduated from an accredited college or university with a major in a field other than speech-language pathology.
The program is three years in length. In the first year of the program, students complete undergraduate coursework that provides the necessary foundation for the graduate-level courses. The following two years include graduate coursework and clinical work that prepare students for professional practice.
Students in the Speech-Language Pathology Transitional Master's Program apply to the School of Allied Health Professions. Applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree. The School requires a GPA of 3.0 or above. Most students have a GPA of 3.3 or above.
Scores on the general test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are required with applications for admission. Students may get additional information on this test from www.gre.org. A combined score of 1000 on the GRE (verbal + quantitative) is preferred for regular admission to the program. There is some flexibility in this score. As a student's GPA goes up, the GRE score can go down, and the student can still receive regular admission. The School requires a minimum score of 4 on the written section. You may be admitted with a score of 3.5 but may be required to take a writing course or provide other evidence of writing ability.
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.
3. A personal interview is desirable and may be arranged with the pre-enrollment advisor.
4. The program faculty evaluates the application and makes its recommendation and the School of Allied Health Admissions Committee then approves all admissions decisions. Applications are reviewed by the departmental faculty as they are received. However, the formal decision for admission is not made prior to the second week of February. The applicant's request for admission will not be reviewed until the applicant's file contains the necessary documents. 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 at the school.
1. Submit all documents by March 1 for fall quarter admission. This includes the GRE scores. Applications received after March 1 will be considered on a space-available basis.
2. Departmental faculty review applications beginning the second week of March. Acceptance will continue until the class is full.
3. The faculty sends its recommendation to the School of Allied Health Profession's Admission Committee.
4. Typically, the student will be notified within three weeks after the review of the application.
The following are requirements for the master of science degree - transition program:
1. A minimum of one quarter in residence as a graduate student.
2. A minimum of 51 quarter units of foundational courses including: SPPA 276, 314, 317, 318, 324, 334, 376, 424, 434, 435, 444, 454, 477, 485, 486 completed prior to enrollment in 500- and 600-level coursework.
A minimum of 54 quarter units of SPPA graduate-level coursework (500-600 level), excluding externship and directed teaching units, religion (3 units minimum).
3. Evidence that the student has completed 400 clock hours of clinical practice, including 25 clock hours of observation and 375 clock hours of direct client/patient contact with 325 of these hours being at the graduate level.
4. Master's thesis/project or comprehensive examinations.
Option A: Research
Option A requires completion of 1-6 units of SPPA 698 Thesis and an oral examination; or completion of 2-4 units of SPPA 697 Research and an oral presentation of research. Typically a student will complete a total of 6 units of thesis and/or research.
Option B: Comprehensive examinations
Option B requires completion of written comprehensive examinations.
Each student's progress in the transitional program is reviewed on completion of the undergraduate coursework. The student must maintain a GPA of 3.3 in the undergraduate coursework to enroll in the 500- and 600-level graduate courses.
The master's degree program is accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for preparation of students in speech-language pathology. It is also approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to prepare students for a California Clinical Rehabilitative Services Credential in Language, Speech, and Hearing. Course requirements for the credential vary from those required for the master's degree.
Most students complete the master's program, fulfilling the academic and clinical requirements needed to obtain (1) a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, (2) a California State License, required for those working in any setting other than the schools, and (3) a Clinical Rehabilitative Services Credential - language, speech, and hearing, for those wanting to work in the California public school system.
Students in the Speech-Language Pathology Transitional Master's Program begin the clinical practicum either during the summer following the first year or at the beginning of second year. Beginning clinicians receive their clinical practicum experience at clinics operated by faculty in our department, such as the program for school-age children at the Loma Linda Elementary School.
At the graduate level, students work at clinical sites operated by Loma Linda University. A faculty member in the department supervises students during their first practicum experiences, including an initial practicum at Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC). Students complete several quarters of clinical work under the supervision of faculty members in the department. Subsequently, they are placed in a variety of settings that may include the public schools, the Medical Center, the Veteran's Hospital, other medical facilities and/or selected facilities in the local area.
Courses for the first year of Speech-Language Pathology Transitional Master's Program (200- to 400-level courses) provide the theoretical foundations and an introduction to clinical practice across the discipline. The graduate curriculum (500- to 600-level courses) builds on the foundational courses with increased emphasis on diagnosis and treatment methods.
Students who plan to complete requirements for the CCC (Certificate of Clinical Competence) and have not completed coursework in Basic Human Communication Processes as part of the undergraduate degree may need to take:
PSYC 479 Human Neuropsychology (4) and/or SPPA 304 Hearing Science (4)
SPPA 276 Communication Across the Lifespan (4)
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.
SPPA 314 Language Analysis for Speech-Language Pathology (4)
Introduces techniques of linguistic analyses used in the study of phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics.
SPPA 317 Acoustic and Physiological Phonetics (2)
Acoustic and physiological correlates of speech-sound production.
SPPA 318 Transcription Phonetics (3)
Student develops transcription skills using the International Phonetic Alphabet.
SPPA 324 Language Disorders of Children (4)
Impairments of language development in children. Formal and informal assessment of children. Program planning and remediation procedures.
SPPA 334 Phonological and Articulation Disorders (4)
Definition, classification, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of phonological/articulation disorders.
SPPA 376 Anatomy of Speech-Hearing Mechanism (4)
Anatomy and physiology of auditory-vocal communicative process.
SPPA 424 Adult Language Pathology (4)
Impairment of language and speech related to organic neuropathology.
SPPA 434 Disorders of Fluency (2)
Characteristics, theories of etiology, and principles of management of stuttering and other fluency disorders.
SPPA 435 Voice Disorders (2)
Definition, classification, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of voice disorders. Pitch, intensity, quality, and resonance.
SPPA 444 Organic Speech Disorders (4)
Introduces the classification, cause, manifestations, assessment, and treatment of craniofacial disorders/cleft palate, tongue thrust, dysarthria, apraxia of speech, and dysphagia.
SPPA 454 Hearing Problems and Basic Audiometry (4)
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.
SPPA 477 Bilingualism and Biculturalism II (2)
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.
SPPA 485 Clinical Methods in Speech-Language Pathology (4)
Principles and procedures of speech-language therapy within and across disorders. Methods of determining treatment effectiveness. Regulations governing public school services.
SPPA 486 Diagnostic Methods in Speech-Language Pathology (4)
Purposes for assessment. Procedures employed in describing and diagnosing speech-language impairments.
SPPA 523 Early-Childhood Language Disorders (3)
Lectures and discussions dealing with principles and procedures in assessment and interventions of language disorders in children. Specific emphasis placed on early-language learners (birth to three years). Conferencing, report writing, and goal writing.
SPPA 525 Preschool and School-Age Child Language Disorders (3)
Lectures and discussions dealing with principles and procedures of assessment and intervention of preschool primary, and adolescent school-age child with language disorders. Specific emphasis placed on school-age learning in the areas of semantics, syntax, pragmatics, narrative, and phonological awareness. Language disorders in autism and mental retardation addressed.
SPAA 535 Voice Disorders (3)
Discussion of diagnosis and intervention techniques used with children and adults displaying a variety of voice disorders. Includes demonstration and operation of instrumentation used for physiological and acoustic analysis of abnormal voice production.
SPPA 554 Swallowing Disorders (3)
Lecture and discussion of the speech-language pathologist's role in the diagnosis and treatment of swallowing disorders in children and adults. Ethical and cultural issues also addressed. Emphasis on analysis of current literature and clinical applications. Selected laboratory experiences.
SPPA 564 Aural Rehabilitation and Hearing Aids (3)
Study of the mechanisms for achieving hearing rehabilitation, including amplification, speech reading, auditory training, hearing-aid orientation, and speech conservation. Consideration given to hearing aid function and philosophies of rehabilitation for the hearing impaired (e.g., auditory, aural, manual, and total communication).
SPPA 567 Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology, Adv. (1-6)
Supervised practice in diagnosis and therapy. Thirty clock hours required for each unit of credit.
SPPA 575 Instrumentation in Communication Disorders (1)
Experience in the areas of speech acoustics, speech production and perception, psychoacoustics, and speech and hearing physiology.
SPPA 585 Professional Aspects of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (3)
Study of ethical, business and legal considerations in schools, clinics, and private practice. Exploration of the role of the speech-language pathologist in prevention, supervision, and professional advocacy. Students develop a portfolio for demonstration of knowledge and skills in the profession.
SPPA 587 Counseling in Communication Disorders (3)
Explores the counseling role of the speech-language pathologist and identifies clinician responsibilities in working with individuals of different cultures, ethnicity, gender, age, and belief systems.
SPPA 588 Directed Teaching in Speech-Language Pathology (3-6)
Supervised therapy on the elementary and/or secondary level and/or in a classroom for the severely language-handicapped child.
SPPA 597 Externship in Speech-Language Pathology (4)
Supervised practice in a medical center, rehabilitation center, or skilled nursing facility.
SPA 598 Research Methods and Professional Literature in Speech-Language Pathology (3)
Lecture and discussion designed to facilitate the student's ability to read and interpret professional literature, develop research ideas, and develop professional writing skills.
The following seminars will analyze the current literature relating to theory, research, and applications within the area of consideration.
Prerequisite: A content course in which the area of consideration has been studied, or consent of the instructor.
SPPA 679 Seminar: Motor Speech/Augmentative Communication (3)
SPPA 682 Seminar: TBI (3)
SPPA 684 Seminar: Adult Language Disorders (3)
SPPA 685 Seminar: Stuttering (3)
SPPA 687 Seminar: Open Seminar (2-3)
SPPA 688 Seminar: Articulation (3)
SPPA 697 Research (1)
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
 |
||
|
 |
|
 |
||
Last Revised: Mon, Jun 09, 2008