TSU 2004-2005 Undergraduate Catalog

Harold R. Mitchell, Ph.D., Head
Suite A, Avon Williams Campus
615-963-7081

Faculty: P. Burch-Sims, J. Cantrell, M. Fitzgerald, I. Johnson, V. Matlock, T. Smith

General Statement: The Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology in the College of Health Sciences offers courses of study leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology. Certification to practice speech-language pathology requires a master’s degree as entry level. Effective January 1, 2005, ASHA certification will require completion of a course in physical science. Majors are advised to consult with their advisors regarding suitable electives to meet this requirement. Certification in Audiology will require a doctoral degree by January 1, 2007. The Bachelor of Science degree primarily prepares students for graduate programs. (See the Tennessee State University Graduate School Catalog for teacher education and graduate program information.) Courses in this major are structured to provide students with background information, theories, principles, and techniques for diagnosis and remediation of speech, language, and hearing disorders.
The program supplements classroom instruction with required supervised clinical observation and practicum experiences in speech-language pathology and audiology. Clinical experiences applicable toward ASHA certification are available. The on-campus Speech and Language Clinic and the Audiology Clinic provide diagnostic and therapy services to children and adults in Nashville-Davidson County and surrounding counties. Students can be assigned to off-campus practicum sites for observation of clinical experiences and involvement in interdisciplinary team approaches to case management.

In addition to its academic commitment, the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology provides diagnostic and therapeutic clinical services in the areas of speech, hearing, and language pathologies for the surrounding University community.

ADMISSION/RETENTION REQUIREMENTS

The Department offers a curriculum leading to a BS degree, which is considered a pre-professional degree. Undergraduate admission and retention requirements follow:

1. Admission to Tennessee State University.
2. All students must be screened for oral and written professional skills. Students who need improvement in oral and/or written communication will be required to enroll in the proper therapeutic program or remediation activity. Students are also reminded that they are expected to show steady growth in development of vocabulary, reading, speaking, and writing skills.
3. Grades of “C” or better are required in courses within the major. Grades, which are less than “C,” must be repeated.

Departmental Requirements for Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology

Major Core Courses: (48 credit hours) SPTH 2500, 2600, 3050, 3100, 3300, 3500, 3720, 3730, 3740, 4500, 4600, 4700, 4730, 4800 and the clinical courses 3514 and 4514.

Suggested Four-Year Plan:
Bachelor of Science Degree

ACCREDITATION

The Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology’s graduate program has maintained accreditation by the Council of Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association since 1985.


COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Speech Pathology and Audiology (SPTH)

SPTH 2500 Speech and Hearing Sciences (3). An introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanisms. The course inspects the acoustics and perception of speech as well as the psychophysics of hearing. (Formerly SPTH 250).

SPTH 2600 Phonetics (3). An introductory course in phonetics, the science of speech sounds, which includes articulatory and perceptual analysis of speech sounds and transcription of American speech into the International Phonetics Alphabet. Students in speech pathology and audiology are expected to apply this knowledge in the clinical setting. (Formerly SPTH 260).

SPTH 2700 Phonetics Laboratory (1). A remedial, self paced course for the individual who needs to improve his or her skills in phonetic transcription. This course follows SPTH 2600 (only if a grade of C was earned in SPTH 2600). (Formerly SPTH 270).

SPTH 3050 Voice and Diction Improvement (3). A course designed to present the student with an overview of the anatomical and physiological bases for the principles inherent in effective oral communication, especially as related to articulation, language, voice, rhythm, and listening skills — accompanied by practical exercises that will assist in the modification of the student’s speech behavior. Attention is given to phonetic and phonemic awareness of various dialects of English. (Formerly SPTH 305).

SPTH 3100 Introduction to Human Communication (3). An introduction to the professions of speech pathology and audiology and the nature, types, and characteristics of speech, hearing, language and literacy problems. An overview of various methods used in identifying and managing communication disorders or language differences including approaches for individuals whose native language is not English is provided. (Formerly SPTH 310).

SPTH 3300 Clinical Methods in Articulation Disorders (3). This course is designed for student comprehension of the physical production of speech, normal developmental learning patterns of speech, various models of speech processes and theoretical bases for therapeutic procedures. Principles of diagnosis and remediation of articulation problems are emphasized. (Formerly SPTH 330) Prerequisite: SPTH 2600.

SPTH 3500 Language and Speech Development of Children (3). This course is designed to familiarize the undergraduate student with the normal development of language and speech. Students must understand the nature and purposes of communication, the element of the language and speech, the neurophysiological bases for language development, and the psychosocial aspects of the development of speech and language. (Formerly SPTH 350).

SPTH 3514 Observation of Clinical Practicum (1). Students will be required to complete 25 hours of clinical observation (assessment or therapy) in Speech Pathology and Audiology, as required by ASHA. Completion of these hours will be a prerequisite to any further practica experiences. (Formerly SPTH 351) Prerequisites: SPTH 2600, 3100, 3500.

SPTH 3720 Identification and Appraisal of Speech and Language Disorders (3). This course prepares the student to administer and interpret results of various diagnostic procedures used by professionals in the area of speech pathology and audiology. The theoretical bases for the tests will be covered and basic skills in administration of the tests will be required. (Formerly SPTH 372) Prerequisites: SPTH 2600, 3100, 3300, 3500.

SPTH 3730 Aural Rehabilitation (3). The history, principles and theory of speech-reading and auditory training, and introduction to amplifying systems including hearing aids. It includes a discus¬sion of comprehensive care for the hearing impaired including psychological aspects and counseling. (Formerly SPTH 373) Prerequisite: SPTH 3740.

SPTH 3740 Introduction to Audiology (3). An introduction to the anatomical and physiological aspects of hearing. The course will explore the etiology and types of hearing loss. It also focuses on theory and practice of techniques of auditory assessment with emphasis on pure tone, speech and impedance audiometry, and the interpretation of test results. (Formerly SPTH 374) Prerequisite: SPTH 2500.

SPTH 3760 Speech, Language and Voice Improvement Training (3). A speech/oral communica¬tion improvement course which trains students to identify and isolate distinctive features and other characteris¬tics of their own speech, voice, language, and vocabulary skills with a plethora of opportunities to modify them through practical clinical exercises, designed by the instructor. (Formerly SPTH 376) Prerequisite: The student is encouraged to have completed or be concurrently enrolled in SPTH 3050.

SPTH 3770 Identifying Communication Problems of the Developmentally Disabled with Strategies for Remediation (3). This course acquaints the student with the various types of communication patterns found in various groups of developmentally disabled individuals (both adults and children); it avoids the traditional areas of stuttering and articulation, and instead stresses the patterns and functions of verbal and nonverbal communication, and their impact on adaptive life skills and social interactions. The course progresses to intervention strategies and remediation tactics often used for the different types of communication disorders. (Formerly SPTH 377).

SPTH 4500 Senior Project (3). An advanced composition or special project conducted by the graduating senior to acquire and demonstrate basic principles of research or investigation. The student is supervised by a member of the faculty. (Formerly SPTH 450).

SPTH 4514 Clinical Practicum (1). An introduction to client management in the field of speech-language pathology and audiology, which will include planning, evaluation, treatment and follow-up. Student will receive a clinical assignment with direct supervision. This course may be repeated 1-3 times. It will be expected that students demonstrate increasing levels of competence. (Formerly SPTH 451) Prerequisite: SPTH 3514.

SPTH 4600 Organic Speech Disorders (3). This course examines the nature of communication disorders in which structural alterations can be demonstrated or inferred as important contributing factors. Congenital and acquired disorders and conditions that can affect human communication are focused upon, along with principles of management strategies with children and adults. Prerequisite: Must have completed all major courses required of junior year. (Formerly SPTH 460).

SPTH 4700 Stuttering and Allied Disorders (3). This course is designed to provide the student with the theoretical and historical background of stuttering and its allied disorders. The student will be exposed to traditional, and new methods or techniques for diagnosing, treating, and counseling the stutterer and members of his family and environment. (Formerly SPTH 470) Prerequisite: Must have completed all major courses required of junior year.

SPTH 4730 Special Problems in Speech Pathology or Audiology (3). A seminar study of some selected problems in speech pathology/audiology. (Formerly SPTH 473) Prerequisite: Must have completed all major courses required of junior year.

SPTH 4740 Basic Audiology (3). A study of common otological diseases, syndromes and the effectiveness of the treatment ear-related conditions. Audiological tests and other medical data will be analyzed for differential diagnosis of auditory disorders. (Formerly SPTH 474) Prerequisite: SPTH 3740.

SPTH 4760 Language Disorders in Children (3). The nature of language disturbances resulting from damage to the central nervous system, auditory impairment, environmental, social, and psychogenic influences. Managerial procedures are discussed while numerous diagnostic tests of language are demonstrated. (Formerly SPTH 476) Prerequisite: SPTH 3500.

SPTH 4770 Alternatives for the Severely Speech, Hearing and Language Impaired. (3) A course designed to provide an overview of recent developments of nonvocal communication systems and other telesensory electronic devices and instruments—as well as an understanding of the potentials that may be realized through use of special techniques, communication aids, and other technological developments for the physically disabled child or adult. (Formerly SPTH 477) Prerequisite: Permission of department head required.

SPTH 4780 Non-Verbal Communication System (3). This course is designed to introduce the student to the various sign language systems with an opportunity to learn one or more techniques for communicating with specific groups, including the Deaf, cognitive disabilities, physically disabled, and other special populations which may need a nonvocal communication system. (Formerly SPTH 478) Prerequisite: Permission of department head required.

SPTH 4790 Communication Problems of the Elderly (3). This course is designed to teach students how to identify, diagnose, treat and manage communication problems associated with the aged. Special attention will focus on speech, hearing, language, voice, fluency problems, commonly seen among the elderly. Various diseases, medications, social conditions, biological, sociological and psychological factors will be studied to isolate their influencing properties. (Formerly SPTH 479) Prerequisite: Permission of department head required.

SPTH 4800 Speech Science & Instrumentation (3). A study of the properties of sound, mechanisms of speech production and perception, and relevant speech science instrumentation. The information/topics studied will be a combination of classroom presentation/ lectures accompanied by guided competence activities with the appropriate instrumentation devices. (Formerly SPTH 480) Prerequisites: SPTH 2500, 2600.