Communication Disorders Department
Program Mission
The mission of the program is to prepare students for entry into independent professional practice as speech-language pathologists who are eligible for American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certification and other relevant local credentials. Graduates from the program will be known for their commitment to life-long learning, high standards of professional behavior, sensitivity to human diversity and their ability and willingness to use their knowledge and skills to enrich the lives of others.
Program Overview
Students may enter the program only in the fall of each year and they must have completed a baccalaureate degree, as well as a number of prerequisite courses (see Admission Requirements section of this document). The proposed 48 credit hour program is designed to be completed in approximately 18 months.
Accreditation
In 1991, the Council on Professional Standards in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology established the status of Candidate for Accreditation for emerging graduate education programs in speech-language pathology. The status allows students enrolled in newly established education programs to be eligible to apply for the Certificate of Clinical Competence upon graduation. The program is following the Council for Academic Accreditation (CAA) timeline established for programs planning to enroll students in fall 2009.
Program Goals
- To provide opportunities that engenders students with the basic concept of the inherent dignity of every person.
- To foster a moral code of mutual respect, honesty, and integrity in students through academic experience, clinical practice, professional interactions, and scholarly endeavors.
- To provide a program where faculty and clinical supervisors have the requisite knowledge and skills to provide quality instruction to graduate students.
- To provide a graduate curriculum that is specifically designed to prepare students for entry into independent professional practice as a speech-language pathologist.
- To provide opportunities for students to develop a greater understanding and awareness of human cultures, capabilities, and limitations.
Admission Requirements
- An overall GPA of 2.85 or higher at the time of application and enrollment in the program.
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher in courses directly related to the study of communication sciences and disorders.
- Official documentation of completion of 25 observation hours with speech-language pathologists who have national certification at the time the observation hours were completed.
- A minimum of one course in Biology, Mathematics, Social Sciences, and Physical Sciences. The grades for each course must be a ‘C’ or better.
- Official transcripts from all colleges, universities that were attended.
- Evidence of interest, ability, and potential for speech-language pathology practice as demonstrated by three letters of recommendation and a written personal statement.
- Completion of the following pre-professional courses: phonetics, articulation and phonological disorders, speech and hearing science, neurology, anatomy, and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanisms, language development and disorders, audiology and aural rehabilitation
Application Procedure
Applications are received through the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service for Clinical Education in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology. The Centralized Application Service provides a convenient and efficient process to apply to multiple schools using a single web-based application. The system provides a real-time status tool so applicants may check the status of their application, transcripts, and letters of reference online at any time. You can log onto a secure site (https://portal.csdcas.org) to fill out a common application which will be sent to each school that you apply to. The deadline for applications and support documents is February 1st of the year you wish to enroll in the program.
Curriculum Year 1: Course Title (# credits)
| Fall | Winter Intersession | Spring | Summer Intersession |
| Diagnostics (3) | Voice and Resonance Disorders (2) | Acquired Disorders of Language and Cognition (3) | Intersession Seminar (2) or Multicultural Study Aboard (2) |
| Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice (3) | Advanced Developmental Language Disorders (3) |
||
| Motor Speech Disorders (3) | Augmentative and Alternative Communication (2) | ||
| Multicultural Assessment (1) | Multicultural Intervention (1) | ||
| Clinic Experience I (2) | Graduate Research Project (1) | ||
| Clinic Experience II (2) |
Curriculum Year 2: Course Title (# credits)
| Summer | Fall 2 | Spring 2 |
| Dysphagia (3) | 10-12 week internship (6) | 10-12 week internship (6) |
| Fluency Disorders (2) | Clinical Reasoning, online (1) | |
| Professional Seminar (1) | ||
| Graduate Research Project (1) |
Clinical Experiences
Students will complete a variety of clinical experiences while enrolled in coursework, and will complete an additional 20 to 24 weeks of full-time internships, generally in a child and in an adult setting. Beyond the walls of the clinic, established partnerships with a growing list of community agencies will allow graduate clinicians to develop and refine clinical skills in early childhood centers, rehabilitation hospitals, private and public schools, adult day care centers, and agencies serving children and adults with developmental disabilities. Internship sites are selected in cooperation with, and all arrangements are made on behalf of students by the Clinical Coordinator in Speech-Language Pathology. Students are responsible for their own transportation, travel, and housing costs for all clinical experiences, and will still pay tuition while completing their internships.
Financial Assistance
A limited amount of graduate financial aid is available. Check with the program director for details. In addition, the St. Ambrose University Office for Financial Aid provides information on loans for graduate studies.
For Further Information
Dr. Elisa Huff, Program Director
St. Ambrose University
518 West Locust Street
Davenport, Iowa 52803
(563) 388-7661