Division of Communication Disorders

DAVID L. JONES, B.S. Westminster College 1980; M.A. University of Iowa 1983; Ph.D. 1987; Professor of Speech-Language Pathology 2005, 2001.

TERESA A. UKRAINETZ, B.A. University of Calgary 1984; M.S. University of British Columbia 1987; Ph.D. University of Texas at Austin 1995; Professor of Speech-Language Pathology 2007, 1995.

MICHAEL A. PRIMUS, B.A. University of Minnesota 1969; M.S. Colorado State University 1975; Ph.D. University of Washington 1984; Associate Professor of Audiology 1984.

MELISSA M. ALLEN, B.A. University of Oregon 1992; M.S. 1999; Ph.D. 2003; Assistant Professor of Speech-Language Pathology 2007.

JILL E. SENNER, B.S. Northwestern University 1991; M.S. Purdue University 1996; Ph.D. Northwestern University 2002; Assistant Professor of Speech-Language Pathology 2008.

ROGER W. STEEVE, B.A. San Diego State University 1990; M.A. 1993; Ph.D University of Washington 2004; Assistant Professor of Speech-Language Pathology 2005.

The speech-language pathology and audiology areas are concerned with communicative behavior. Included in these areas are the studies of systems underlying the normal communicative process (phonetics, acoustics, neurology, anatomy and physiology); development of speech, hearing and language functions; deviations from the normal communicative process; and diagnosis and management of speech, language and hearing disorders.

The Division of Communication Disorders offers a bachelor’s (B.S.) degree in speech, language and hearing science. The bachelor’s degree is considered preprofessional preparation for entrance into a graduate program in either speech-language pathology or audiology. A graduate degree is needed to work in most employment settings, and is required for Wyoming State Department of Education certification. The division offers a Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology. The combined undergraduate and graduate programs are designed to prepare students to meet the academic and clinical requirements for Wyoming licensure and the Certificate of Clinical Competence awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

The graduate program in speech-language pathology is accredited by the Council of Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). See the Graduate Bulletin for additional information.

Any student seeking admission to the graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology within the Division of Communication Disorders will be required to obtain a background check as specified by college policy.

Program Goals and Objectives

I. The Division will maintain accreditation in audiology and speech-language pathology through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

II. Upon completion of the B.S. program in Speech Language and Hearing Science, students will:

A. Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of biological sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and the social/behavioral sciences.

   1. The student will successfully complete at least one course in each of the biological, physical, social, and mathematical sciences.

B. Demonstrate knowledge of the biological bases of human communication

   1. The student can describe anatomy and physiology of the speech mechanism, including respiration, phonation, articulation, and resonance.

   2. The student can describe anatomy and physiology of the hearing mechanism.

   3. The student can describe anatomy and physiology of the swallowing mechanism.

C. Demonstrate knowledge of the neurological bases of human communication

   1. The student can describe major components of the central and peripheral nervous system.

   2. The student can describe the auditory pathways and processes in the central nervous system.

   3. The student can describe the language pathways and processes in the central nervous system.

   4. The student can describe the speech pathways and processes in the central nervous system.

D. Demonstrate knowledge of the acoustic bases of human communication

   1. The student can describe acoustic properties of vowels and consonants.   

   2. The students can describe transmission of sound waves through air.

   3. The student can explain the psychoacoustic properties of sound and related measurements (pitch, loudness).

E. Demonstrate knowledge of the psychological bases of human communication

   1. The student can describe cognitive development and its relationship to language.

F. Demonstrate knowledge of the developmental bases of human communication

   1. The student can demonstrate knowledge of phonological development.

   2. The student can demonstrate knowledge of syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.

   3. The student can demonstrate knowledge of swallowing development.

   4. The student can describe the development of literacy.

   5. The student can describe major features of multiple language acquisition.

G. Demonstrate knowledge of the linguistic bases of human communication  

   1. The student can transcribe speech using the International Phonetic Alphabet.

   2. The student can identify phonological processes.

   3. The student can describe constituents within each area of syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.

   4. The student can perform a language sample analysis.

H. Demonstrate knowledge of the cultural bases of human communication

   1. The student can identify the effects of cultural and socioeconomic variation on speech acquisition.

   2. The student can identify the effects of cultural and socioeconomic variation on language acquisition.

Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

Suggested Course Sequence

Freshman Year: Spring	Hours
USP CH Course	3
LIFE 1010	4
SPPA 1010	3
PSYC 1000	3
Elective	3
Total Hours	16

Sophomore Year: Fall	Hours
KIN 2040	3
KIN 2041	1
USP WB Course	3
USP G Course	3
SPPA 3265	3
SPPA 2110	4
Total Hours	17

Sophomore Year: Spring	Hours
FCSC 2121	4
SPPA 2120	4
SPPA 3210	3
PHYS 1050/1110	4
Total Hours	15

Junior Year: Fall	Hours
Elective	3
USP QB Statistics Course	4
SPPA 4160	4
USP O Course	3
Physical Education	1
Total Hours	15

Junior Year: Spring	Hours
Elective 3000/4000	3
SPPA 4310	3
SPPA 4380	3
Electives	6
Total Hours	15

Senior Year: Fall	Hours
Electives 3000/4000	6
EDAD 4215	2
SPPA 4340	3
SPPA 4750	3
Elective	2
Total Hours	16

Senior Year: Spring	Hours
SPPA 4240	3
SPPA 4250	3
Elective 3000/4000	6
SPPA 4150	3
Total Hours	15

Note: a grade of C or better must be earned in all courses for the major; courses in the major must be taken for a letter grade unless offered for S/U only.  A minimum of 48 credit hours of upper-division courses are required for graduation.

Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic

Speech-Language Pathology (SPPA) Courses

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Last Change: 1/13/09