Speech Pathology B.A.

Program Description

The Bachelor of Arts in Speech Pathology is pre-professional program designed to prepare students for advanced study in Speech Language Pathology and/or to obtain the necessary licensure to work within the school systems in the State of Nevada. Instructional emphasis is placed on the identification of speech and language disorders and intervention for students ages 3-21. The American Speech-Language-Hearing-Association’s (ASHA) credentialing requirements for Speech Language. Pathology are used as a framework for the curriculum and program assessment.

Learner Outcomes

1. Learner Outcome 1: Students will apply theories and principles of communication development and disorders from birth to age 21.
2. Learner Outcome 2: Demonstrate knowledge and skills in the assessment and remediation of individuals with communication disorders. Understand the nature and characteristics of speech, language and auditory disorders in children.
3. Learner Outcome 3: Apply effective, clinical, problem-solving skills through scientific oral and written skills.
4. Learner Outcome 4: Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary professional issues and ethical standards in the profession.

Accreditation

The Speech Pathology Program is approved for licensure by the Nevada Department of Education.

Program Admission

To establish eligibility for admission into the Speech Pathology Program, students must meet the following criteria:

• Admission into Nevada State College;
• Completion of 30-45 credits that apply towards the major;
• Degree Seeking Students: Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0;
• Post-Baccalaureate Students: Bachelor’s degree or higher with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0;
• Passing scores on the reading, writing, and mathematics portions of the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (CORE) exam or the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST);
• Signed NSC Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Program Guide;
• Clear FBI fingerprint report;
• Signed Disposition.

Program applications are accepted no later than March 1st for the fall semester and October 15th for the spring semester. (Admission criteria is subject to change.)

Clinical Practicum

Clinical practicum is a full-time, semester long experience in a school-based setting. A mandatory, weekly seminar accompanies the supervised clinical practicum during which the student gradually assumes assessment and therapy responsibilities. Speech practicum students receive continual coaching and mentoring through regularly scheduled observations and evaluations by the site SLP supervisor and the NSC supervisor. Outside employment while completing practicum is strongly discouraged due to the intensity of this experience. Students will earn a letter grade in practicum.

Clinical practicum placements are restricted to the State of Nevada.

Passing scores on Praxis Subject Assessment are required for both practicum at Nevada State College and licensure by the Nevada Department of Education. To ensure timely submission of the scores students are strongly encouraged to take the test(s) two semester prior to applying for practicum. When completing registration material for the Praxis Subject Assessment, students must list NSC (R9020) and the Nevada Department of Education (R8670) as score recipients.

Acceptance into clinical practicum includes all of the following:

• Admittance to the Speech Pathology Program;
• Submission of clinical practicum application;
• Earned minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0; (Resident GPA of 3.0 for post baccalaureate students);
• Completion of all courses in the program of study required prior to practicum;
• Clear FBI fingerprint report;
• Proof of possession of $1 million in liability insurance;
• Passing scores on the Praxis Subject Assessment is a practicum application requirement.

Practicum applications are accepted no later than March 1st for the fall semester and September 15th for the spring semester.

Program Completion

Requirements:

• Completion of a minimum of 120 credits;
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0;
• Completion of core and major requirements;
• Passing score on the Praxis Subject Assessment

Curriculum

Recommended Schedule

A recommended course sequence for Speech Pathology B.A. is provided for students as guidance to complete their major in four years.

College Core Curriculum (31-42)

English (3-8 credits)

Refer to the English section of the Core Curriculum

Study and Technology Skills (0-3 credits)

Refer to the Study and Technology Skills section of the Core Curriculum

Mathematics (3-5 credits)

Refer to the Mathematics section of the Core Curriculum

Natural Sciences (7 credits)

BIOL 189	Fundamentals of Life Science	4.00
CHEM 105	Chemistry, Man, and Society	3.00

Note: CHEM 105 (recommended) or higher

Social Sciences (3 credits)

PSY 101

General Psychology

3.00

Fine Arts (3 credits)

Refer to the Fine Arts section of the Core Curriculum

Humanities (6 credits)

Refer to the Humanities section of the Core Curriculum

Constitution (3-6 credits)

Refer to the Constitution section of the Core Curriculum

Cultural Diversity (3 credits)

Refer to the Cultural Diversity section of the Core Curriculum

Major Requirements (84-86)

EDU 163	Praxis Core for Educators Literacy Lab	1.00
EDU 164	Praxis Core for Educators Mathematics Lab	1.00
EDU 203	Introduction to Special Education	3.00
EDSP 432	Parent Involvement and Family Engagement for Students with/without Disabilities	3.00
EDRL 442	Literacy Instruction I	3.00
ENG 211	Introduction to Linguistics	3.00
PSY 210	Introduction to Statistical Methods	3.00
PSY 307	Principles of Educational Psychology	3.00
PSY 330	Foundations of Developmental Psychology: Infancy and Childhood	3.00
SPA 201	Introduction to Communication Disorders	3.00
SPA 320	Introduction to Phonetics	3.00
SPA 340	Speech and Language Development	3.00
SPA 362	Introduction to Audiology I	3.00

*EDU 163: The Praxis Core Literacy Lab will be waived for students who produce passing scores for both the reading and writing exams.
*EDU 164: The Praxis Core Mathematics Lab will be waived for students who produce a passing score for the mathematics exam.

Choose one from the following:

EDU 214	Preparing Teachers to Use Technology	3.00
EDUC 416	Internet Application for Educators	3.00
EDUC 417	Literacy and Technology	3.00

The following courses require program admission:

EDSP 423	Consultation and Collaboration	3.00
EDSP 414	Career Education for Students with Disabilities	3.00
SPA 330	Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Language Mechanism	3.00
SPA 364	Introduction to Speech Sound Disorders	3.00
SPA 491A	Extended Experience in SLP: Articulation Disorders Lab	2.00
SPA 370	Methods of Clinical Management	3.00
SPA 400	Assessment of Communication Disorders	3.00
SPA 491C	Extended Experiences in SLP: Assessment LAB	2.00
SPA 401	Fluency Disorders	3.00
SPA 439	Neurology and Speech Pathology	3.00
SPA 441	Clinical Practicum	10.00
SPA 461	Articulation II: Diagnosis and Treatment of Speech Disorders	2.00
SPA 466	Aural Habilitation and Rehabilitation	3.00
SPA 467	Communication and Language Disorders in Children	3.00
SPA 491B	Extended Experience in SLP: Communication and Language Disorders Lab	2.00

Summary of credit requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Speech Pathology

College Core Curriculum	31-42
Major Requirements	84-86
Electives	0-5
Total Credits	120