Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education

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Department Head: Kim Corbin-Lewis
Location: Lillywhite 105
Phone: (435) 797-1302
FAX: (435) 797-0221
E-mail:kim.corbin-lewis@usu.edu
WWW: comd.usu.edu

Assistant Department Head:

Dee R. Child, Lillywhite 112, (435) 797-2318, dee.child@usu.edu

Undergraduate Advisors Speech Language Pathology and Audiology:

Tonya Jewell, Lillywhite 044, (435) 797-9094, tonya.jewell@usu.edu

Heather Thomas, Online 1^st Bachelors (435) 797-8240, heather.thomas@usu.edu

Brynne Davies, Online 2^nd Bachelors (435) 797-3419, brynne.davies@usu.edu

Undergraduate Advisor Deaf Education Composite Major:

Michelle Wilson, Lillywhite 151, (435) 797-9271, michelle.wilson@usu.edu

Graduate Advisor:

Michelle Wilson, Lillywhite 151, (435) 797-9271, michelle.wilson@usu.edu

Degrees offered: Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Arts (BA), Master of Science (MS), Master of Arts (MA), Master of Education (MEd), and Educational Specialist (EdS) in Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education; Clinical Doctorate of Audiology (AuD); Doctor of Philosophy in Disabilities Disciplines (PhD)

Undergraduate areas of focus: BS, BA—Communicative Disorders, Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Graduate specializations: MS, MA, MEd—Speech-Language Pathology; MEd—Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; AuD—Audiology; PhD—Speech-Language Pathology

Objectives

Three main objectives of the Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education are (1) to train competent speech-language pathologists, educators of the deaf and hard of hearing, and clinical-educational audiologists qualified to receive state and national licensure; (2) to provide clinical services to individuals with speech-language deficits or hearing loss in the University population or in the community; and (3) to provide research opportunities for students relating to communication problems of individuals. The graduate programs in both Speech-Language Pathology and Clinical- Educational Audiology are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The program in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is accredited by the Council on Education of the Deaf (CED). All department programs hold Utah State Office of Education approval.

Suggested Four-year Plans

Suggested semester-by-semester four-year plans for students working toward bachelor’s degrees are available in the Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education Department.

These plans are models of the requirements and possible sequences of courses. However, students may progress through their program or have more flexibility if they have high ACT scores, CLEP credit, concurrent enrollment credit, AP credit, and/or transfer credit; or if they attend during summer semesters.

Students should consult with their advisor to develop a plan of study tailored to their individual circumstances.

Departmental Honors

Students who would like to experience greater academic depth within their major are encouraged to enroll in departmental honors. Through original, independent work, Honors students enjoy the benefits of close supervision and mentoring, as they work one-on-one with faculty in select upper-division departmental courses. Honors students also complete a senior project, which provides another opportunity to collaborate with faculty on a problem that is significant, both personally and in the student’s discipline. Participating in departmental honors enhances students’ chances for obtaining fellowships and admission to graduate school. Minimum GPA requirements for participation in departmental honors vary by department, but usually fall within the range of 3.30-3.50. Students may enter the Honors Program at almost any stage in their academic career, including at the junior (and sometimes senior) level. The campus-wide Honors Program, which is open to all qualified students regardless of major, offers a rich array of cultural and social activities, special classes, and the benefit of Honors early registration. Interested students should contact the Honors Program, Main 15, (435) 797-2715, honors@usu.edu. Additional information can be found online at: http://www.usu.edu/honors/

Additional Information

For more information concerning graduation requirements and course sequencing, see the major requirement sheet, available from the Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education. Additional information may also be found at the departmental website: comd.usu.edu/

Because many of the undergraduate COMDDE courses are taught in sequence, students should meet with  the undergraduate departmental advisor prior to beginning classes in the COMDDE major to assure that the most efficient and effective schedule is followed. Students should also confer with the undergraduate departmental advisor for information about changes in requirements or scheduling.

Graduate Programs

Admission Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders or equivalent must be completed before the student enters the  graduate program. (Students already having a bachelor’s degree in another area must either complete a second bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders or take the undergraduate Communicative Disorders courses as postbachelor’s prerequisite courses.) The time required to complete the Master of Science degree is determined during the first semester of study by the graduate advisor in consultation with the department faculty.

In addition to School of Graduate Studies admission requirements, students must demonstrate competency in American Sign Language, in order to be admitted to the bilingual-bicultural education of the deaf and hard of hearing program.

Applications will be considered once a year during spring semester. However, students must have completed the application process to the School of Graduate Studies by February 15th. Deaf Education has a “rolling deadline” for applications to this graduate program. For informatin about application to the Bilingual-Bicultural program, contact Dr. Freeman King. For information about application to the Listening to Speech and Language program, contact Dr. Lauri Nelson.

Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education Research Requirements

Several options are available for MS graduate students to complete the research or special project required for the MS degree. These options are specified in the list of requirements available in the department office, and include for the MS the traditional Plan A experimental thesis option, as well as the Plan B integrative review option or creative project option. All students (MS and MEd) also have the option of completing Plan C comprehensive examinations in lieu of a Plan A or Plan B option. 

Licensure

Each undergraduate and graduate student is advised on which classes will meet Utah State Office of Education and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association licensure requirements, as well as Utah State Professional Licensure requirements. State Office of Education licensure credentials within Utah include approval for audiology, speech-language pathology, and education of the deaf and hard of hearing. Graduation from any of these graduate programs ensures the student meet the requirements for licensure in Utah. Such licensure facilitates meeting other requirements for other states, because of reciprocal agreements that exist among some state educational agencies throughout the country.

Practicum Opportunities

Practicum experience at the graduate level is available in a variety of settings. The department maintains a Speech-Language-Hearing Center which offers a full range of diagnostic and treatment services to individuals with speech-language or hearing disabilities, as well as the Sound Beginnings Early Intervention and Pre-School Program. Additionally, students are assigned to off-campus practicum sites such as hospitals, schools for the deaf, long-term and rehabilitation care centers, clinics, physician’s offices, and public schools. Placement in out-of-state practicum sites is available for those students who request it. Students may also be placed at the Center for Persons with Disabilities for experience in birth to age three services.  

Financial Assistance

Departmental and federal grant support is available to graduate students and is awarded on a competitive basis. See the advisor in your area of emphasis to identify financial support submission deadlines.

Career Opportunities

Audiology graduates are prepared to work as clinical, educational, and rehabilitative audiologists. Speech-Language-Pathology graduates are prepared to work in a variety of medical, rehabilitation, and educational settings. Graduates in the area of Education of the Deaf are trained to work in bilingual/bicultural or Listening and Spoken Language programs.

Additional Information

Specific details about each of the foregoing degree programs are outlined in policy and procedure documents available through the department. All requirements are subject to change; check with the department for current requirements. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education.

Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education Faculty

Emeritus Trustee Professor
Carol J. Strong 

Lillywhite Endowed Chair and Professor
Ron Gillam, Speech-Language Pathology: language development, language assessment and intervention, narrative development, memory, phonological representation

Professors
James C. Blair, Deaf Education & Audiology: educational audiology, education of the deaf and hard of hearing
Kim Corbin-Lewis, Department Head, Speech-Language Pathology: diagnosis and management of voice disorders, laryngeal imaging, speech science, disorders of motor speech, dysphagia, anatomy and physiology of speech and swallow
Beth E. Foley, Dean, Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services
Sandi Gillam, Speech-Language Pathology: language assessment and intervention, evidence-based practice, text comprehension, memory, language difference, phonology
J. Freeman King, Deaf Education: American Sign Language, linguistics, teacher preparation, Bilingual-Bicultural Programming

Adjunct Professor
Christopher Dromey, Speech-Language Pathology: speech science

Adjunct Clinical Professors
Jeffrey Bennion, MD, otolaryngologist
James Blotter, MD, otolaryngologist
Jeffrey Keyser, MD, otolaryngologist
Bryan R. Larsen, MD, gastroenterologist
Gordon S. Wood, MD, otolaryngologist

Associate Professors
Sonia S. Manuel-Dupont, Speech-Language Pathology: nondiscriminatory educational assessment of non-English-language background children, Native American language assessment, emergent literacy, ethnic literacy, developmental phonology, syntax, professional and scientific discourse analysis
John E. Ribera, Audiology: medical audiology, amplification, hearing science, telemedicine, hearing conservation, balance studies
Julie Wolter, Speech-Language Pathology: school-age language, literacy

Assistant Professors
Kristina Blaiser, Speech-Language Pathology: listening and spoken language
Debbie Golos, Deaf Education: bilingual-bicultural deaf education, emergent literacy, ASL development, educational television, children’s media
Jaclyn Littledike, Speech-Language Pathology: orofacial anomalies, professional practice issues, and clinical supervision
Lisa Milman, Speech-Language Pathology: aphasia, neuropathologies of speech and language
Karen Muñoz, Audiology: pediatric audiology, amplification, clinical audiology
Lauri Nelson, Deaf Education: Auditory Listening and Spoken language, academic achievement in young children with cochlear implants and hearing aids Susan Watkins, early intervention programs, sensory impaired infants and toddlers
Susan Watkins, early intervention programs, sensory impaired infants and toddlers

Adjunct Assistant Professor
Kristine Tanner, Speech-Language Pathology: diagnosis and management of voice disorders

Clinical Assistant Professors
Jeffery Larsen, Audiology: classroom acoustics, speech perception
Cache Pitt, Audiology: cochlear implants, pediatric audiology, clinical supervision

Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor
Vicki Simonsmeier, Speech-Language Pathology: pediatric neurogenic disorders, oral-motor dysphagia, early intervention programs, audiology, auditory processing, clinical supervision

Clinical Instructors/Professional Staff
Deborah Amundson, Speech-Language Pathology: clinical supervison
Jill R. Andrus, Speech-Language Pathology: assistive technology, augmentative communication, child articulation and language disorders, clinical supervision
Dee R. Child, Speech-Language Pathology: distance education, disorders of phonation
Anne Elsweiler, Speech-Language Pathology: fluency, preschool language and articulation, clinical supervision
Heather Jo Jensen, Audiology: clinical supervision, amplification, medical audiology
Jan Kelley-King, Deaf Education: American Sign Language, Deaf Education Teacher Preparation
Amy Porter, Audiology: clinical supervision, pediatric/adult diagnostics and amplification, balance assessment, clinical supervision
Arron Preston, Speech-Language Pathology: clinical supervison

Lecturer
Chad Bingham, Speech-Language Pathology: pediatric brain injury, limited English proficiency, augmentative/assistive technology, clinical supervision
Karen Fillomoehala, Speech-Language Pathology: speech and language development, literacy
Curt Radford, Deaf Education: American sign language, bilingual/bicultural education, Deaf Education Teacher Preparation

Adjunt Clinical Instructors
Tobey Fields, Speech-Language Pathology: augmentative communication, clincial supervision
Stacey Sessions, Speech-Language Pathology: severe communication impairments. clinical supervision

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