Speech-Language Pathology
Director/Chair, John Bernthal
301 Barkley Memorial Center, Lincoln, NE 68583-0738 |
(402) 472-5496 | jbernthal1@unl.edu
105 Henzlik Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0371
(402) 472-8643 | dnordloh2@unl.edu
Fact: One of every six Americans has a speech, language, hearing or related disorder. That’s almost 17% of the population.
Most speech-language pathologists and audiologists provide direct clinical services to individuals with communication disorders. In speech, language, and hearing clinics, they may independently develop and carry out a treatment program. In medical facilities, they may work with physicians, social workers, psychologists, and physical and occupational therapists to develop execute treatment plans.
Speech-language pathologists assess and treat patients with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. Examples of these problems include: making speech sounds, stuttering, inappropriate pitch or harsh voice, and speech problems resulting from strokes or other brain trauma.
Audiologists work with people who have hearing and related problems. They use technology to measure loudness at which a person hears sounds and to distinguish between sounds. Audiologists provide rehabilitative services and training in speech reading, fit hearing aids and other devices, and serve as consultants on issues concerning environmental (noise induced) hearing loss.
Careers
If you choose Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (SLPA) as your major, you may work in many settings: schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing care facilities, industry, government health facilities, research laboratories, and private practice.
Employment opportunities in speech-language pathology or audiology are expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005.
The need for well-trained speech-language pathologists and audiologists will continue to grow in the future for a variety of reasons. First, as the population ages there will be increasing need to provide services to this population. Second, American society has made a strong commitment in the past 30 years to integrate persons with disabilities into community, work, and educational activities. This commitment continues to increase. Third, a recent decision by Medicare to fund the purchase of augmentative and alternative communication technology for non-speaking individuals (January 1, 2001) increases the need for expert professionals for those who experience severe communication disorders.
The Program
A Master’s Degree in SLPA is the standard entry-level credential in this field. To be licensed, you must have completed a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, have 375 hours of supervised clinical experience, complete a nine-month post-graduate internship, and pass a national written examination.
The Bachelor’s Degree program can be completed through Arts and Sciences or College of Education and Human Sciences. In Arts and Sciences, you will be advised in meeting college and University General Education Requirements along with Professional courses that provide the necessary background for the Master’s degree. You must apply to continue in the undergraduate SLPA Professional Program after completion of SLPA 150, 250, 251, and 271, Biology 114 (Human Anatomy) or Biology 214 (Human Physiology). You must receive no grade lower than a C and a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA), The 39 hour undergraduate Professional Program includes courses such as the anatomy of hearing and speech, phonological disorders, normal language development, and language disorders that will prepare you for the Master’s degree program.
You are encouraged to see your SLPA adviser early in your academic career because sequencing of courses in the Bachelor’s program is essential to allow students to graduate in a timely manner and be prepared to apply for the Master’s program.
Resources
Faculty and students are involved in use of research facilities including a speech perception laboratory, a motor speech laboratory, and an auditory research laboratory including a sound booth, and an augmentative/alternative communication laboratory.
The Barkley Augmentative and Alternative Communication Center is a demonstration center with a wide variety of communication devices for persons who are unable to communicate through natural speech. The Center supports laboratory teaching for pre-professional students in communication disorders and special education.
The Barkley Literacy Technology Center is a demonstration facility that focuses on computer support for reading, writing, and preparing references. This Center focuses on students with and without disabilities. It supports the preparation of pre-professional students in communication disorders and special education. In addition, it is a resource for personnel from a large number of public school districts in the region.
Students are also actively involved with clients at the Barkley Center’s Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic in a supervised environment. Within the Barkley Memorial Center there are 18 individual treatment rooms, four large rooms for preschool and school-age groups, two rooms for counseling, and a parent/adult treatment room. The preschool classroom is an early childhood special education preschool program and operates jointly between Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) and SECD. There are two double room audiology testing suites, six classrooms, four conference/seminar rooms, faculty offices, and workrooms for graduate students. There is also a resource center/library, an interactive computer classroom, and computer lab.
Outstanding Contributors
The speech-language pathology program is ranked by U.S. News and World Report 18th out of 248 in the United States. Program faculty have published three textbooks that are the most frequently adopted texts in the country in the areas of augmentative and alternative communication, motor speech disorders and clinical phonology. All three have been translated into other languages. The current Department Chair of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Dr. John Bernthal, served in 2001 as the President of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. Doctoral graduates have assumed academic positions in some of the nation’s most prestigious universities or leadership positions in other agencies.
Activities
UNL students have access to hundreds of activities and groups related to specific academic, social, cultural, or political interests. Involvement in any of these organizations builds leadership, communication, and organizational skills and helps you meet new people. The student professional organization, part of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association provides you an opportunity to socialize with fellow SLPA students and benefit from speakers and conferences that contribute to your education.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
High school seniors who are applying for admission should contact the Office of Admissions regarding application for freshman scholarships and all deadlines. For federal aid, student and parent(s) must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available from your high school guidance counselor.
Current UNL students should contact the Office for Scholarships and Financial Aid to make sure they have applied for all appropriate scholarships and financial aid. In addition, the College of Arts and Sciences administers scholarships. For information about these college scholarships, deadlines, and the college’s Undergraduate Scholarship Application Form, see the Arts and Sciences Web site at http://ascweb.unl.edu/students/sfa.html.
