Mar 29, 2024  
2023/2024 University Catalog 
    
2023/2024 University Catalog

Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences


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OFFICE: Speech, Language, and Hearing 221
TELEPHONE: 619-594-7746 / FAX: 619-594-7109
WEBSITE: http://slhs.sdsu.edu

Faculty:

School Director: Nip*, Ignatius, Associate Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (B.A., University of British Columbia; M.S.L.P.A, University of Alberta; Ph.D., University of Nebraska - Lincoln)

Ph.D. Doctoral Program Director: Pruitt-Lord*, Sonja, Associate Dean, College of Health and Human Services, Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Health and Human Services (B.A., Louisiana State University; M.A., Louisiana State University; Ph.D., Louisiana State University)

Ph.D. Associate Program Director: Potapova, Irina, Lecturer of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (B.A. Cornell University; Ph.D., San Diego State University)

Graduate Advisor and Speech-Language Division Head: Mills, Alyson, Associate Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (B.A., Emory University; M.A., Vanderbilt University; Ph.D., University of Kansas)

Graduate Advisor and Audiology Program Director: Preminger^, Jill, Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (B.A., Boston University; M.S., University of Wisconsin; Ph.D., University of Minnesota)

Undergraduate Advisor: Hye*, Taylor, Lecturer of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (B.A.,M.A., San Diego State University)

Undergraduate AdvisorBrown, Amanda, Staff of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty:

Emmorey, Karen, Albert W Johnson Distinguished Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (B.A., UCLA; M.A., UCLA; Ph.D., UCLA)

Love-Geffen, Tracy E., Dean of Graduate Studies, Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, (B.A., Brandeis University; M.A., UC San Diego; Ph.D., UC San Diego)

Torre, III, Peter, Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara; M.A., California State University, Long Beach; M.S., University of Wisconsin; Ph.D., University of Wisconsin)

Blumenfeld, Henrike, Associate Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (B.A., Bryn Mawr College; Ph.D., Northwestern University)

Dreisbach Hawe^, Laura, Associate Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (B.A., Penn State University; M.S., Penn State University; Ph.D., Northwestern University)

Mills, Alyson, Associate Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (B.A., Emory University; M.A., Vanderbilt University; Ph.D., University of Kansas)

Pham*, Giang, Associate Dean, College of Health and Human Services, Associate Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (B.A./B.S., University of Illinois; M.A., SDSU; Ph.D., University of Minnesota)

Ries-Cornou, Stephanie, Associate Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (B.S., University of Rennes; M.A., University of Rennes; Ph.D., Aix/Marseilles University)

Silkes*, JoAnn, Associate Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (B.A., Indiana University; M.S., University of Wisconsin; Ph.D., University of Washington)

Alonzo*, Crystle, Assistant Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (B.S., University of Arizona; M.S., Northern Arizona University; Ph.D., MGH Institute of Health Professions)

Girolamo, Teresa, Assistant Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (B.A., Kenyon College; M.A., University of Washington; M.S.T., Pace University; M.A., University of Kansas; Ph.D., University of Kansas)

Sanabria​*, Ashley, Assistant Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences  (B.A., UC San Diego; M.A., Arizona State University; Ph.D., Arizona State University)

Lecturers:

Buzzanga*, Tanya R., M.A., Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Donovan, Danaee, M.A., Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Goodwiler, Carrie B., M.A., Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Kirsch, Christy L., Au.D., Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Potapova, Irina, Ph.D., Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Emeritus:

Cheng, Li-Rong Lilly, Ph.D., 1984-2008, Assistant Director, Global Program Development, College of Extended Studies; Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Gutierrez-Clellen, Vera F., Ph.D., 1990-2014, Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Kramer, Steven J., Ph.D., 1985-2018, Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Mackersie, Carol, Ph.D., 1996-2022, Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Newhoff, Marilyn, Ph.D., 2001-2016, Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Nichols, Alan C., Ph.D., 1964-2000, Professor of Communicative Disorders

Seitz, Michael R., Ph.D., 1985-2004, Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Shapiro, Lewis P., Ph.D., 1995-2016, Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Thal, Donna J., Ph.D., 1990-2006, Albert W. Johnson Distinguished Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Williams, Diane R., M.A., 1975-2002, Associate Professor of Communicative Disorders

 

^ Holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A)

* Holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP)

The Major

The School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences is committed to preparing speech-language-hearing professionals to meet the challenges of a racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse society. There are limited employment opportunities for holders of the bachelor’s degree; the bachelor’s degree in speech, language, and hearing sciences serves as the basis for further graduate and professional study. A master’s or professional doctoral degree, national certification and/or state licensure or school credential are needed for professional practice in areas such as speech-language pathology and audiology. A research doctorate (Ph.D.) is required for individuals pursuing a research and teaching career at the university level.

Speech-language pathology and audiology are professions that identify, help, and study persons with communicative disorders. Those entering these professions should possess a strong motivation to help individuals with communication problems. Preparation involves acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to assume responsibility for assessment, education, and rehabilitation of persons with speech, language, and hearing disorders.

The master’s degree is an advanced degree for those wanting to work professionally as a speech-language pathologist. A professional doctorate is required for those wanting to work professionally as an audiologist. Positions in speech, language, and hearing sciences are available in many public and private settings working with persons with speech, language, and hearing impairments, and the cognitive disorders underlying these impairments. Graduates with certification or licensure work in rehabilitation centers, schools, hospitals, private agencies, private practice, industry, research, and university teaching and research centers. Career opportunities are particularly good for minority, bilingual or bicultural persons.

The undergraduate curriculum is broad, involving coursework on normal and disordered speech, language, and hearing, as well as clinical procedures. Students interested in the speech, language, and hearing sciences program are advised to take college level courses in anatomy, biology, psychology, English, physiology, linguistics, physics, and mathematics. Studies leading to private practice, hospital work, industrial work, work in school settings, or preparation for graduate work are similar in many ways; it is the area of specialization that serves to differentiate courses of study.

Retention Policy

The College of Health and Human Services expects that all speech, language, and hearing sciences majors will make reasonable academic progress towards the degree. Speech, language, and hearing sciences premajors who have completed major preparatory courses, earned 60 units, but have less than a 2.75 GPA may be removed from the premajor and placed in undeclared.

Impacted Program

The speech, language, and hearing sciences major is an impacted program. To be admitted to the speech, language, and hearing sciences major, students must meet the following criteria:

  1. Complete preparation for the major;
  2. Complete a minimum of 60 transferable semester units;
  3. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75.

To complete the major, students must fulfill the degree requirements for the major described in the catalog in effect at the time they are accepted into the premajor at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment).

Major Academic Plans (MAPs)

Visit http://www.sdsu.edu/mymap for the recommended courses needed to fulfill your major requirements. The MAPs website was created to help students navigate the course requirements for their majors and to identify which General Education course will also fulfill a major preparation course requirement.

Certificates and Licensure

Preparation Leading to the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

Students may complete the academic and clinical practice requirements leading to the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) or to the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) given by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. The certificate requires a professional doctorate in audiology (refer to Graduate Bulletin), a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, and specialized clinical experiences. The applicant must pass a national examination in the area for which the certificate is sought and complete a Clinical Fellowship (following approval of academic coursework and clinical practica). Consult an adviser in the area in which the certificate is desired.

Preparation Leading to State Licensure in Speech Pathology or Audiology

Students may complete the academic and clinical practicum requirements leading to California State Licensure in Speech Pathology or in Audiology, a legal requirement for all individuals professionally employed in non-public school settings and some public school settings. The Speech Pathology and Audiology Examining Committee which operates within the California State Board of Medical Quality Assurance requires a master’s degree or equivalent in speech, language, and hearing sciences in the area (Speech Pathology or Audiology) in which the license is to be granted, 300 clock hours of supervised clinical experience, a national examination, and nine months of full-time supervised work experience (Required Professional Experience). For audiology, the fourth year externship satisfies the Required Professional Experience. Most Licensure and ASHA Certification requirements may be fulfilled concurrently. Consult an adviser in the area in which licensure is desired for specific information.

High School Equivalents

High school American sign language courses may be used for purposes of placement in college courses and may be counted toward meeting the language requirement in various majors. These high school courses will not count as college credit toward graduation.

Secondary school language courses can be used as follows:

  1. The first two years of high school level language count as the equivalent of the first semester of a college level course.
  2. The first three years of high school level language count as the equivalent of the first two college semesters.
  3. Four years of high school level language count as the equivalent of three college semesters or five college quarters, thus fulfilling the language requirement.

General Information

The School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences offers graduate study leading to the Master of Arts degree in speech, language, and hearing sciences, and to the credentials described below. The cooperating faculties of San Diego State University and the University of California, San Diego, offer a joint program leading to a Ph.D. in language and communicative disorders and a professional doctorate in audiology (Au.D.). The School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences is committed to preparing speech-language-hearing professionals to meet the challenges of a culturally and linguistically diverse society. An M.A. degree in speech, language, and hearing sciences provides the necessary education, technical training, and creative experience necessary for professional activity, college-level teaching, and preceptors in speech-language pathology and related fields.

The programs utilize the facilities of the Speech, Language, and Hearing building, which includes observation rooms, school reference collection, and speech and hearing science laboratories. In the laboratories, students use acoustic immittance equipment, audiometric response simulators, EEG, electromagnetic articulography, eye-tracking, digital spectrograph, hearing aid analyzer, microprocessor based diagnostic audiometers, optical motion capture, personal computers, ENG and evoked potential equipment, and video and audio equipment with ongoing new acquisitions.

In addition, the school utilizes its on-campus audiology and speech-language clinics. Students and faculty participate in providing direct delivery of clinical services to clients and participate in the assistive device assessment program, which evaluates and recommends augmentative or alternative means of communication for persons with severe communication impairment. Field experience is offered in the public schools and community agencies. Practicum and observation experiences are possible at various hospitals, schools, community agencies, and rehabilitation agencies.

Section I. Master’s Degree Programs

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at San Diego State University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

Admission to Graduate Study

Students will be admitted to the graduate programs only in the fall semester. Applications to the university must be submitted by January 12 for the master’s degree programs in speech-language pathology and communicative sciences. For application information, see the school’s website, http://slhs.sdsu.edu, select PROGRAMS and then select “M.A. Application”.

All students must satisfy the general admission and examination requirements for admission to the university with classified graduate standing as described in Admission and Registration . In addition, the applicant must satisfy the following requirements before being considered for admission to a classified graduate standing by the school’s Admissions Review Committee.

Applicants must meet the special requirements of this program which include (a) an acceptable baccalaureate degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution; (b) if the baccalaureate degree is from a major other than speech, language, and hearing sciences (or communicative disorders), you must demonstrate completion of the necessary prerequisites prior to the beginning of the Fall semester of entry (see https://slhs.sdsu.edu/programs/ma/ma-applicants-with-other-backgrounds-wob/); (c) a GPA of at least 3.20 on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 semester (or 90 quarter) credits of upper division and/or graduate courses (d) good standing in the last institution attended; (e) submission of appropriate application form and supporting materials as outlined below.

Students applying for admission should electronically submit the university application available at http://www.calstate.edu/apply along with the application fee by December 15.

All applicants must submit admissions materials separately to SDSU Graduate Admissions and to the School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences via the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) at https://csdcas.com. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Deadline for receipt: January 12.

Graduate Admissions

The following materials should be submitted as a complete package directly to:

Graduate Admissions

Enrollment Services
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-7416

  1. Official transcripts (in sealed envelopes or electronically to TranscriptsForSDSU@sdsu.edu) from all postsecondary institutions attended;
    • Students who attended SDSU need only submit transcripts for work completed since last attendance.
    • Students with international coursework must submit both the official transcript and proof of degree. If documents are in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
  2. Proof of English language proficiency, if the medium of instruction was in a language other than English. SDSU will accept TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or a DuoLingo English Test score as proof of English proficiency. Please see https://admissions.sdsu.edu/international/graduate/steps-apply for more information.
School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

The following admissions materials must be submitted electronically via CSDCAS (https://csdcas.liaisoncas.org) by January 12:

  1. Essay;
  2. Curriculum vitae or resume;
  3. Transcripts*;
  4. Letters of recommendation (Applicants must provide names and an e-mail addresses for recommenders. Recommenders will be sent e-mail to electronically complete letter of recommendation).

    *Official transcripts must be mailed to CSDCAS Transcript Processing Center, P.O. Box 9113, Waterton, MA 02471

Once the above requirements have been satisfied, the applicant’s file is considered complete and eligible for review by the school’s Admissions Review Committee. Admission to the graduate programs is guided by careful consideration of all the above materials by a designated Admissions Review Committee. Applicants whose files are incomplete will not be eligible for admission to classified graduate standing. The number of new admissions is restricted and is determined by space availability; therefore, admission is based on consideration of all application materials and the relative merits of individual applicants among all eligible applicants.

Section II. Doctoral Programs

http://slhs.sdsu.edu/phd

The cooperating faculties of San Diego State University and the University of California, San Diego, offer a joint doctoral program in language and communicative disorders. The program’s focus is the interdisciplinary study of language and communicative disorders. A major emphasis of the program is to apply techniques developed in cognitive science and neuroscience to the study of language and language disorders. The program involves study and research in normal and abnormal language (including sign languages), and in the neural bases of language use and language loss.

Participating faculty have research interests in a wide range of issues in the processes of language development, language and aging, multilingualism, language disorders, assessment, and intervention. Graduates of the program will be qualified to serve as faculty in university programs in a variety of disciplines, and to provide leadership in research and health services. The doctoral program faculty at SDSU are members of the School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Department of Linguistics and Asian/Middle Eastern Languages, and the Department of Psychology. The doctoral program faculty at UCSD are also an interdisciplinary group from the Department of Cognitive Science, Department of Communications, Department of Linguistics, Department of Neurosciences, Department of Psychiatry, and the Department of Psychology. The program is coordinated by the doctoral program directors at each campus, in conjunction with an executive committee that is comprised of three faculty from each campus appointed by the graduate deans from each campus.

The program is innovative in that many of the requirements are designed to function as a model of professional preparation specifically incorporating activities in which a successful teacher and researcher must engage after obtaining the Ph.D. Students will be required to participate in interdisciplinary research throughout the program, learn about the nature and ethics of research, prepare grant proposals, write manuscripts, and will gain experience in oral presentations and teaching. Graduates from the program will be well-prepared for the rigors of an academic/research career.

Faculty

The following faculty participate in the doctoral program in language and communicative disorders and are available as advisers, for direction of research, and as members of dissertation committees.

San Diego State University: Abel-Mills (Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences), Alonzo (Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences), Ashrafi (Electrical and Computer Engineering), Barlow (Geography), Blumenfeld (Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences), Emmorey (Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences), Fishman (Psychology), Friend (Psychology), Holcomb (Psychology), Keating (Linguistics), Love-Geffen (Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences), Marinkovic (Psychology), Midgley (Psychology), Müller (Psychology), Nip (Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences), Pham (Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences), Pruitt-Lord (Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences), Ries (Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences), Sanabria (Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences), Sereno (Psychology), and Silkes (Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences).

University of California, San Diego: Brown (Neuroscience), Carver (Psychology), Coulson (Cognitive Science), Creel (Cognitive Science), Deák, (Cognitive Science), Ferreira (Psychology), Garellek (Linguistics), Gollan (Psychiatry), Haist (Psychiatry), Halgren (Neuroscience), Mayberry (Linguistics), Townsend (Neuroscience).

Admission to Doctoral Study

The doctoral program in language and communicative disorders draws from a variety of disciplines including cognitive science, engineering, linguistics, neuroscience, psychology, speech, language, and hearing sciences, and other related sciences. Students should have adequate preparation in mathematics, statistics, research, and biological sciences. Backgrounds in neurosciences and/or language sciences, or language disorders are helpful, but not required for admission.

Applicants for admission to the doctoral program must meet the general requirements for admission to both universities, as specified in the current SDSU and UCSD catalogs. Applicants must meet the special requirements of this program which include (a) an acceptable baccalaureate or master’s degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution; (b) a GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 semester (or 90 quarter) credits of upper division and/or graduate courses (c) good standing in the last institution attended; (d) submission of appropriate application form and supporting materials as outlined below.

Applicant files are reviewed as a group by an admissions committee, composed of doctoral program faculty from each campus. Other doctoral faculty may review applicant files and make recommendations to the admissions committee. Assuming that the above requirements are met, decisions will also be guided by an evaluation of the adequacy of the applicant’s preparation in view of their stated needs and objectives. Given the limited number of spaces available (4 to 6 new admissions each year are anticipated, subject to available facilities), the admissions committee will select the best qualified applicants to fill the available spaces. No minimum set of qualifications will guarantee an applicant admission to the doctoral program. The admissions committee will make recommendations for admission to the graduate deans from each campus.

Application. Students will be admitted to the doctoral program only in the fall semester/quarter. Applications and all other supporting materials must be received (not postmarked) by January 12 to be considered for the doctoral program beginning in the following fall semester/quarter.

Application Guidelines for the SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Language and Communicative Disorders

To be admitted to the Joint Doctoral Program, applicants must electronically submit the university application available at http://www.calstate.edu/apply along with the application fee by December 15.

All applicants must submit admissions materials separately to SDSU Graduate Admissions and to the School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences via the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) at https://csdcas.liaisoncas.org​. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Deadline for receipt: January 12.

Graduate Admissions
The following materials should be submitted to:

Graduate Admissions
Enrollment Services
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-7416

  1. Official transcripts (in sealed envelopes or electronically to TranscriptsForSDSU@sdsu.edu) from all postsecondary institutions attended;
  • Students who attended SDSU need only submit transcripts for work completed since last attendance.
  • Students with international coursework must submit both the official transcript and proof of degree. If documents are in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
  1. Proof of English language proficiencyscore, if the medium of instruction was in a language other than English. SDSU will accept TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or a DuoLingo English Test score as proof of English proficiency. Please see https://admissions.sdsu.edu/international/graduate/steps-apply for more information.

SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program

The following admissions materials must be submitted electronically via the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) at https://csdcas.liaisoncas.org​ by January 12:

  1. Essay;
  2. Curriculum vitae or resume;
  3. Transcripts;
  4. Letters of recommendation (Applicants must provide names and e-mail addresses for recommenders. Recommenders will be sent e-mail to electronically complete letter of recommendation).

For information regarding the admissions process, visit the school website at http://slhs.sdsu.edu.

Certificates and Licensure

Preparation Leading to the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

Students may complete the academic and clinical practice requirements leading to the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-Sp) or to the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) given by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. The certificate requires a professional doctorate in audiology (see Audiology ) and a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, and 75 semester units (at least 27 of the 75 semester units must be in basic science coursework, and at least 36 of the 75 semester units must be in professional coursework). At least 30 of the 36 professional coursework units must be in courses for which graduate credit was received. A minimum of 21 of the 30 units must be completed at the graduate level in the professional area for which the certificate is sought. The certificate requires 375 clock hours of supervised clinical observation (25 hours) and clinical practicum (350 hours). Clock hours must satisfy designated categories for age span, types of disorders, assessment and intervention. The applicant must pass a national examination in the area for which the certificate is sought and complete a Clinical Fellowship (following approval of academic coursework and clinical practica). Consult an adviser in the area in which the certificate is desired.

Preparation Leading to State Licensure in Speech Pathology or Audiology

Students may complete the academic and clinical practicum requirements leading to California State Licensure in Speech Pathology or in Audiology, a legal requirement for all individuals professionally employed in non-public school settings and some public school settings. The Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board which operates within the California Department of Consumer Affairs requires a master’s degree or equivalent in speech, language, and hearing sciences in the area (Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology) or a a doctoral degree or equivalent (Audiology), 300 clock hours of supervised clinical experience, a national examination, and nine months of full-time supervised work experience (Required Professional Experience). Most Licensure and ASHA Certification requirements may be fulfilled concurrently. Consult an adviser in the area in which licensure is desired for specific information.

Programs

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