Speech Pathology B.A.
Program Description
The Bachelor of Arts in Speech Pathology is a pre-professional program designed to prepare students for advanced study in Speech Language Pathology. The program includes language, speech, and hearing issues of typical and atypical children and adults.
Note: The degree plan is without the Practicum training. However, the NV DOE endorsement for serving child ages 3-21 in NV Schools with speech and language impairments may be possible if 10 credit Practicum option is petitioned, AND the student will meet the timing prior to licensure change, AND Practicum is available
School of Education Mission Statement
The Mission of the Nevada State University School of Education is to prepare educators and speech language pathologists to support children, youth, and adults by utilizing evidence-based approaches and providing high quality field and clinical experiences. We are committed to promoting:
- Creative, critical, reflective, responsive, and collaborative professionals
- High quality research and evidence-based practices
- Cultural, linguistic, physical, and cognitive diversity
- Justice, equity, and inclusivity
- Partnerships with families, PK-12, higher education, and the community
- Civic engagement and advocacy
Vision Statement
Nevada State University School of Education prepares professionals to advance justice and equity through improving the education and well-being of young children, adolescents, and adults towards supporting a diverse and inclusive society.
Learner Outcomes
- Learner Outcome 1: Students will exhibit an understanding of communication and cognitive development and aging in normal individuals across the lifespan.
- Learner Outcome 2: Students will demonstrate competence of anatomical and physiological mechanisms supporting speech, language, hearing mechanisms using critical thinking for functional application in the field.
- Learner Outcome 3: Students will display emerging knowledge and skills in the assessment and remediation of individuals with communication disorders, integrating relevant research and Evidence-Based Practice.
- Learner Outcome 4: Students will demonstrate entry level professional/clinical writing using appropriate terminology.
- Learner Outcome 5: Students will demonstrate spoken communication skills for academic work and/or clinical situations, using appropriate ethics and professionalism.
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 University;
-
Completion of 30-45 credits that apply towards the major;
-
Degree Seeking Students: 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 NSU Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Program Guide;
-
Signed Disposition.
-
A personal background check via Complio||American Databank or a valid Nevada Department of Education substitute-teaching license.
The program application and submission deadlines are available on the Nevada State University, School of Education website. (Admission criteria is subject to change.)
Clinical Practicum (Petition Required)
NOTE: Clinical Practicum IS NOT required for Program Completion. Practicum IS required for licensure with Nevada Department of Education, at this time.
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 NSU 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 University 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 NSU (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(only if clinical practicum is taken)
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.
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 189A | Fundamentals of Life Science Lecture | 3.00 |
| BIOL 189L | Fundamentals of Life Science Lab | 1.00 |
| CHEM 105 | Chemistry, Man, and Society | 3.00 |
Social Sciences (3 credits)
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 (84-90 credits)
The following courses are pre-program electives (0-2 credits)
| EDU 163 | Praxis Core for Educators Literacy Lab | 1.00 |
| EDU 164 | Praxis Core for Educators Mathematics Lab | 1.00 |
*
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.
The following courses are pre-program (30 credits)
| 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 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 330 | Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Language Mechanism | 3.00 |
| SPA 340 | Speech and Language Development | 3.00 |
The following courses require Speech Pathology program admission (48-49 credits)
| EDSP 431 | Legal Aspects of Special Education | 3.00 |
| EDSP 445 | Characteristics of Students with Autism | 3.00 |
| EDSP 453 | Behavior Management Techniques for Students with Disabilities | 3.00 |
| SPA 362 | Introduction to Audiology I | 3.00 |
| SPA 364 | Introduction to Speech Sound Disorders | 3.00 |
| SPA 491A | Extended Experience in SLP: Articulation Disorders Lab | 3.00 |
| SPA 366 | Speech & Hearing Science | 3.00 |
| SPA 370 | Methods of Clinical Management | 3.00 |
| SPA 400 | Assessment of Communication Disorders | 3.00 |
| SPA 491C | Extended Experiences in SLP: Assessment LAB | 3.00 |
| SPA 401 | Fluency and Voice Disorders | 3.00 |
| SPA 421 | Communication and Aging | 3.00 |
| SPA 439 | Neurology and Speech Pathology | 3.00 |
| 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 | 3.00 |
If SPA 441 Practicum (10 credits) is approved, may waive 3 courses (9 credits) from program admit courses (EDSP 431, EDSP 445 and EDSP 453) or interprofessional courses.
Electives (6-9 credits)
| AM 145 | American Sign Language I | 3.00 |
| AM 146 | American Sign Language II | 3.00 |
| AM 253 | Deaf Culture | 3.00 |
| AM 254 | Deaf History | 3.00 |
| COU 300 | Introduction to Human Services and Counseling | 3.00 |
| ECE 262 | Early Language and Literacy Development | 3.00 |
| EDU 221 | Introduction to School-Based Mental Health | 3.00 |
| EDSP 455 | Assistive Technology for Individuals with Disabilities | 3.00 |
| PSY 201 | Lifespan Development | 3.00 |
| PSY 307 | Principles of Educational Psychology | 3.00 |
| PSY 334 | Foundations of Developmental Psychology: Adolescence and Adulthood | 3.00 |
| PSY 442 | Psychology of Aging | 3.00 |
Summary of credit requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Speech Pathology
|
Core Curriculum
|
31-42
|
|
Major Requirements
|
84-88
|
|
Electives
|
6-11
|
|
Total Credits
|
121
|