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Chair:Howard Goldstein;
Professors: Goldstein, Hardiman, Wetherby;
Professor Emeriti: Haas, Schendel;
Associate Professors: Crowley, Morris, Walker;
Assistant Professor: Jacobs;
Visiting Assistant Professor: Kemker;
Assistant in Audiology: Blumsack;
Assistants in Speech/Language Pathology: Hernandez, Hudson;
Associate Scholar/Scientist: Bourgeois
The Department of Communication Disorders offers programs leading to the master of arts (MA), master of science (MS), advanced master of science (AMS), and the doctor of philosophy (PhD) degrees. The graduate degree curricula provide advanced study in speech-language pathology for students preparing for professional careers in clinical, research, and teaching environments.
The Department of Communication Disorders operates the L. L. Schendel Clinic for Communication Disorders as a multidisciplinary teaching, research, and service laboratory. The clinic provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment services to persons in the community and region and serves as a teaching and research laboratory for students.
The communication science laboratories provide facilities for the study of physical and psychological aspects of sound, speech, voice, and language. The Speech Science Laboratory has specialized equipment enabling the analysis of duration, intensity, spectral, and fundamental frequency aspects of speech. Instrumentation and procedures for the forensic study of speech enable the detection of signals in noise and speaker identification from recorded speech samples. The Voice Science Laboratory includes computer-interfaced instrumentation for measuring vocal intensity and pitch, aeromechanical aspects of voice and resonance, and physiological functioning of respiration and the vocal apparatus. The Hearing Science Laboratory utilizes computerized instrumentation for basic research on loudness, pitch, binaural hearing, and the temporal aspects of hearing, as well as for the study of hearing sensitivity using a variety of auditory stimuli. The facility includes two sound attenuating suites and an electronics shop. The Emerging Language Laboratory includes equipment for recording, editing, and analyzing audio and video samples of speech and language discourse and social interactions. On-site recording facilities can accommodate small groups of children and children with their parents. Portable equipment is available for field recordings. Software programs for analyzing language samples and summarizing results are also available. The Adult Language Laboratory provides facilities for the study of social and communication problems associated with acquired brain injury and illness in adults. These facilities are equipped with evaluation instruments and materials, audio/video equipment, and computers to facilitate data analysis.
For further information about all graduate admission and degree requirements contact: Department Secretary, Department of Communication Disorders, The Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1200 (850) 644-2253. E-mail: pwinne@mailer.fsu.edu and please include your mailing address.
The Florida State University speech-language pathology educational program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The objective of the program is to educate speech-language pathologists so that they function optimally in a variety of clinical and school settings and, if desired, to enable them to pursue the doctoral degree. Learning experiences involve an interaction of classroom instruction, research, and individualized clinical practicum under the close supervision of certified faculty and staff. Students are encouraged to collaborate with faculty on research and clinical program development.
The program offers courses of study leading to the master of science or master of arts degree (thesis or nonthesis options). Speech pathology or language pathology may be emphasized in the student's plan of study, which is designed to exceed the requirements of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Associations Certificate of Clinical Competence and The Florida Certificate of Registration. Florida State Board of Education requirements or The National Council on Accreditation for Teacher Education (NCATE) requirements for teaching certificates may be achieved by speech-language pathology majors.
A student's undergraduate background influences the time required to complete the graduate degree. Students obtaining master's degrees (nonthesis option) from The Florida State University generally graduate from the program in five to six academic semesters, which includes a semester of off-campus internship. Students choosing the thesis option typically require a minimum of six semesters.
Students must submit applications to both the University and the department. The Florida State University Department of Communication Disorders requires an individual applying for a master's degree to hold a bachelor's degree in communication disorders or its equivalent. Applicants for admission to the master's degree programs must meet the Universitys minimum standard of a 3.0 upper division GPA or a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of 1000 (verbal and math sections combined) before an application will be considered by the department. However, meeting this minimum does not assure acceptance for graduate study in the department as admission is competitive. Two written recommendations from previous professors or clinical supervisors, copies of GRE scores, and copies of transcripts of all academic work completed to date should accompany applications and be sent directly to the department. Normally admission is during the fall semester. Application for either semester must be submitted by February 1st.
All graduate students are required to present a program of study acceptable to the major professor and supervisory committee. The program of study should be approved before the conclusion of the first semester of course work. A student in a master's degree program may choose to complete a thesis. In general, six (6) semesters is typically required for the completion of the master's degree. A clinical internship is required.
A master's degree in speech-language pathology, communication disorders or the equivalent is required for admission to this program. A student preparing for the advanced master's degree is required to present a program of studies acceptable to the major professor and supervisory committee. A thesis-preparation curriculum is required, including a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours beyond the master's degree with three to six (3 - 6) semester hours for the thesis.
Admission to the doctoral program is contingent upon meeting The Florida State University policy on admission for the advanced degree. Academic standards, residence, transfer credits, and time limits are in accordance with regulations of the University.
The student must hold a bachelors degree for consideration of entry into the doctoral program. A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 (on a scale of A = 4.0) maintained in the student's junior and senior years of undergraduate education is required. A minimum of a 3.5 GPA in the students major area of study in undergraduate and graduate education is required. An exception to the GPA requirement may be made by the Doctoral Admission Committee if strong evidence of academic potential is presented. This evidence must include minimum scores of 500 on the verbal and 500 on the quantitative sections of the GRE.
By the end of the first year of the program, the student should form a doctoral supervisory committee composed of a minimum of five members. Three members must hold doctoral directive status, and one member with this status must be selected from a different department. Normally, this member represents the student's collateral area of study. The departmental chair will appoint the major professor who must be a member of the graduate faculty with doctoral directive status and have special competence in the students proposed area of concentration. The appointment must be mutually agreeable to the student, major professor, and departmental chair.
The first three to five semesters of enrollment in the program should be devoted to completion of the core requirements. By the end of the first year of the program, the student must present an approved plan of study to fulfill all requirements for the PhD. The plan of study should include all graduate-level courses previously completed. The doctoral supervisory committee may approve any course(s) already completed to apply toward completion of the core requirements.
The student must demonstrate knowledge beyond the master's level in research tools (minimum of fifteen [15] semester hours), in communication processes in normal and/or disordered populations (minimum of nine [9] semester hours in doctoral seminars), and in a collateral specialization area (minimum of twelve [12] semester hours).
During the doctoral program, the student must demonstrate teaching abilities by taking major responsibility for teaching at least one undergraduate lecture course; the student must enroll in three (3) semester hours of SPA 5940r Supervised Teaching. The student must also demonstrate research skills by taking three to five (3 - 5) semester hours of SPA 5910r Supervised Research.
Advancement to candidacy for the PhD degree is contingent upon the student successfully passing a preliminary examination. The preliminary exam may be completed in one of two forms. Each of these options includes an oral examination with a choice of the written form.
Option 1. The student must write extensively on topics selected by the committee. This examination usually consists of 20 to 24 hours of writing time and should be completed within five days.
Option 2. The student must produce three written products: an evaluation of knowledge of research methodology; a critical review of the literature; and a written product relevant to the students major career objective, such as a grant proposal, a research report, or a course design and curriculum. The specific requirements must be approved by the committee before initiating the preliminary exam and is expected to be completed within a semester of its initiation.
Upon advancement to candidacy, the student may begin working on the dissertation. The student must present a research proposal to the students committee, and it must be approved before the student begins collecting data.
SPA 5055r. Professional Tools in Speech-Language Pathology (1 - 3). This course repeats with different topics covered each semester. Topics covered include clinical bases for planning and conduct of therapy, behavior management, counseling, ethics, certification and licensure, instrumentation, and clinical research methods.
SPA 5132. Speech Science (3). Advanced study of duration, fundamental frequency, intensity, and wave composition in speech.
SPA 5133r. Instrumentation in Communication Science (1 - 3). An introduction to electronics and electronic instrumentation used in the field of communication disorders. Includes classroom lectures as well as hands-on experience in the selection, use, calibration, and maintenance of this equipment. May be repeated to a maximum of three (3) semester hours.
SPA 5204. Phonological Disorders (3). Identifies and examines traditional and psycholinguistic theory and approaches to management of defective articulation. Provides the student with training in the treatment of defective articulation.
SPA 5211. Voice Disorders (3). An advanced course concerned with etiology, symptoms, and remediation of a variety of organic voice disorders.
SPA 5225. Fluency Disorders (3). Emphasis is on theories of treatment of stuttering disorders, various therapeutic approaches.
SPA 5230. Motor Speech Disorders (3). Diagnostic and therapeutic procedures employed in the management of speech and language problems of neurologically impaired persons.
SPA 5250. Structure-Based Communication Disorders (3). A foundation course to prepare SLP students to evaluate and manage communication disorders of voice, fluency and articulation, plus dysphagia and laryngectomy.
SPA 5252. Structure-Based Communication Disorders (3). A foundation course to prepare SLP students to evaluate and manage communication disorders of voice, fluency, and articulation plus dysphasia and laryngectomy.
SPA 5254. Neurology-Based Communication Disorders (3). A foundation course to prepare SLP students to evaluate and manage neuromotor speech disorders, aphasia, traumatic brain injury, right hemisphere syndromes, dementia, and communication effects of progressive neurological diseases.
SPA 5301Lr. Audiology Laboratory (1). Labs are paired with graduate-level courses in audiology which require extensive out-of-class use of instrumentation. Students may register for more than one lab per semester with a maximum of four (4) semester hours total for all semesters enrolled.
SPA 5305Lr. Measurement and Management of Impaired Hearing (1 - 3). Interviewing, audiologic screening, audiometric evaluation, data interpretation, hearing aids and cochlear implants, assistive listening devices, aural rehabilitation assessment and therapy, and hearing conservation.
SPA 5322. Advanced Aural (Re)habilitation (3). Amplification devices, assessment of hearing impairment; perception of speech, receptive communication strategies. Option for Certification in Gerontology.
SPA 5354. Industrial Audiology (2). Identification procedures, damage-risk criteria, conservation procedures, psychological and medical problems associated with industrial noise.
SPA 5401. Language-Learning Disabilities in School-Age Children (3). Prerequisites: LIN 3710, SPA 4400. Strategies for assessment and intervention of conversational, narrative, and metalinguistic abilities of school-age children and adolescents with language-learning disabilities. Emphasis is on classroom-based language intervention using metacognitive learning strategies and whole language curricular approaches.
SPA 5404. Communication Intervention: Infants and Preschoolers (3). Prerequisites: LIN 3710 and SPA 4400; or consent of instructor. Strategies for the assessment and intervention of communication and symbolic abilities of infants (0 - 2) and children (3 - 5) with atypical communication development. Emphasis is on using a family focused approach in home based and center based programs.
SPA 5409. Current Issues in Developmental Communication Disorders (3). Course prepares speech-language pathologists to evaluate and manage developmental communication disorders with families, educators, and other service provider. This overview will focus on applications of the selection of functional treatment goals and the development of effective treatment programs.
SPA 5432. Autism and Severe Communicative Disabilities (3). Strategies for language and communication assessment and intervention of children, adolescents, and adults with autism and other severe communicative disabilities. Includes functional analysis of challenging behaviors and decision making for the selection of augmentative communication systems.
SPA 5460. Foundations of Developmental Communication Disorders (3). Provides an overview of language and phonological impairments. Prepares SLP students to facilitate development in childrens language learning systems while taking into account the contextually-based needs of children with developmental communicative disorders.
SPA 5462. Current Issues in Developmental Communication Disorders (3). Prepares speech-language pathologists to evaluate and manage developmental communication disorders, with families, educators, and other service providers. This overview will focus on applications to the selection of functional treatment goals and the development of effective treatment programs.
SPA 5500. Clinical Practicum in the Schools (3). Prerequisite: SPA 4503. Supervised therapy practice in therapy procedures with school-aged persons presenting various communication problems. Seminar covers educational and therapy topics relative to public professional activities.
SPA 5505r. Advanced Speech-Language Pathology Practicum (1 - 3). Advanced supervised practice in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures with various language and speech problems. May be repeated to a maximum of eight (8) semester hours. Students may enroll in more than one section during the same semester.
SPA 5506r. Advanced Audiology Practicum (1 - 3). Advanced supervised practice in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures with various audiological problems. May be repeated to a maximum of eight (8) semester hours. Students may enroll in more than one section during the same semester.
SPA 5526Lr. Laboratory in Child Speech/Language Pathology Diagnostics (1 - 3). Completion of formal and informal evaluation procedures with children who have speech and/or language disorders. May be repeated to a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours.
SPA 5528Lr. Laboratory in Adult Speech/Language Pathology Diagnostics (1 - 3). Completion of formal and informal evaluation procedures with adults who have speech and/or language disorders. May be repeated to a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours.
SPA 5553. Seminar in Clinical Differential Diagnostics (1). Corequisite: SPA 5553L. Discussion of formal and informal assessment of a variety of speech and language disorders. Content discussed will relate to people to be evaluated during accompanying laboratory.
SPA 5553L. Laboratory in Clinical Differential Diagnostics (2). Corequisite: SPA 5553. Completion of formal and informal evaluation techniques with people who have a variety of speech and language disorders.
SPA 5554. Counseling in Speech-Language Pathology (3). Supervision, counseling, and interviewing in the area of communication disorders.
SPA 5554Lr. Supervision and Counseling in Communication Disorders (1). Laboratory to practice strategies and skills in clinical supervision and counseling. The dyads of clinician-patient, clinician-significant other, and the triad of supervisor, supervisee, and patient are emphasized. May be repeated to a maximum of three (3) semester hours.
SPA 5559. Augmentative Communication Systems (3). This course provides an overview of augmentative and alternative communication systems (AAC) and the process for selecting and implementing these systems. Application of AAC systems for nonspeaking individuals with developmental and acquired disorders is covered.
SPA 5564. Communication and Aging (3). The anatomic, physiologic, and acoustic changes in the hearing and speech mechanism with aging. The effect of those changes on hearing and speech. The communication disorders found among older people.
SPA 5565. Seminar in Dysphagia (3). A review of the anatomy, neurology, and function of the normal swallow. Etiologies and types of dysphagia in children and adults. Evaluation and management of swallowing disorders. Prior anatomy and neurology courses are recommended.
SPA 5646. Speech and Language for the Hearing Impaired (3). Assessment and education procedures for developing communication skills of preschool and school-age hearing impaired students.
SPA 5906r. Directed Individual Study (1 - 3). (S/U grade only.) May be repeated to a maximum of eight (8) semester hours. Students may enroll in more than one section during the same semester.
SPA 5910r. Supervised Research (1 - 6). (S/U grade only.) May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours. A maximum of three (3) semester hours may apply to the master's degree. Students may enroll in more than one section during the same semester.
SPA 5940r. Supervised Teaching (1 - 6). (S/U grade only.) Advanced graduate students will have the opportunity to organize and teach basic courses in audiology and speech-language pathology under the direct supervision of faculty. May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours. A maximum of three (3) semester hours may apply to the master's degree.
SPA 5944. Speech-Language Pathology Internship (1 - 12). (S/U grade only.) Intensive practical experience in the diagnosis and/or treatment of persons with speech-language and hearing disorders in service oriented professional settings under the close supervision of persons who have clinical certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. To be completed in the final semester of the master's program. May be repeated to a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours.
SPA 5971r. Thesis (3 - 6). (S/U grade only.) A minimum of six (6) semester hours must be earned.
SPA 5972r. Advanced Master's Thesis (1 - 6). (S/U grade only.) A minimum of six (6) semester hours is required.
SPA 6142. Measurements of Speech (4). Acoustical and electrical principles applied to the analysis of speech; lectures, demonstrations, laboratory work.
SPA 6231r. Seminar in Neuropathologies (1 - 3). May be repeated from term to term, up to a maximum of nine (9) semester hours.
SPA 6825r. Seminar in Speech Pathology (1 - 3). Advanced study of communication disorders; review of literature and critique of research methodology. May be repeated from term to term, up to a maximum of nine (9) semester hours.
SPA 6841r. Seminar in Language (1 - 3). May be repeated from term to term, up to a maximum of nine (9) semester hours.
SPA 6900r. Readings for the Preliminary Examination (1 - 6). (S/U grade only.) Prerequisites: Doctoral standing, department approval. To be taken prior to or during the semester the student registers for the preliminary examination. May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.
SPA 6930r. Seminar in Special Topics (1 - 3). Content will vary as faculty offers different issues and special topics concerning the discipline. May be repeated from term to term, up to a maximum of nine (9) semester hours. Students may enroll in more than one section during the same semester.
SPA 6980r. Dissertation (1 - 12). (S/U grade only.)
SPA 8964r. Preliminary Doctoral Examination (0).
SPA 8966. Master's Comprehensive Examination (0).
SPA 8967r. Advanced Master's ComprehensiveExamination (0). (S/U grade only.)
SPA 8976. Master's Thesis Defense (0).
SPA 8977r. Advanced Master's Thesis Defense (0). (S/U grade only.)
SPA 8985. Dissertation Defense (0).
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