Western Illinois University: Macomb Campus

Graduate Program - Course Descriptions

COMMUNICATION SCIENCES AND DISORDERS (CSD)

501 Introduction to Research Methods in Communication Sciences and Disorders. (3)  
Explores clinician's role as researcher and need for science to inform our clinical practice. Students read and critically analyze existing research within the communication sciences and disorders, and review common research designs and data analysis techniques. Students are required to complete a formal project.

503 Seminar in Professional Affairs. (2) 
The study of current problems, issues and legislation in the communication disorders profession. Discussions will be organized to accommodate both student and instructor interests and concerns.  Prerequisite: Graduate standing in CSD.

504 Seminar in Speech-Language Pathology. (2, repeatable to 4) 
Investigation of current literature relating to etiology, assessment, and treatment of selected communication disorders. Topics based on faculty and student interest.  Prerequisite: Graduate standing in CSD or permission of the instructor.

510 Oral-Motor and Articulation Disorders. (3) 
Reviews the development of critical oral-motor and articulation abilities from infancy through adulthood. Enables the student to differentially diagnose and treat functional articulation disorders, oral-motor apraxia, and dysarthrias. Cultural issues of dialect are also addressed.  Prerequisites: CSD 210, 212, 380, and 382.

511 Language Theory and Development. (3) 
The study of current research on cross-disciplinary development theories as they relate to the typical acquisition and development of language as a formal and functional system across the life span with emphasis on school age and adolescent years.  Prerequisites: CSD 312 and 484.

512 Child Language Disorders: Assessment and Intervention. (3)  
Explores conditions associated with communication impairment in children. Reviews clinical assessment and intervention techniques for child language disorders from infancy through adolescence. Communication analysis and intervention planning. Consideration of impact of communication impairment across environments.  Prerequisites: CSD 312, 481 and 484.

521 Methods in Public Schools. (3) 
The study of general program considerations for the speech-language pathologist in the public school setting including case management and state and federal legislation.

522 Clinical Practicum in the Public School. (3, repeatable to 9) 
Supervised clinical practice in speech-language and/or hearing in the public school setting.  Prerequisites: CSD 521, completion of required CSD coursework, no more than one C grade in CSD 587/588, and approval of faculty.

523 Neurological Disorders I: Aphasia. (3) 
Assessment and management of fluent, nonfluent, mixed, and global aphasia, with emphasis on the nature and cause of acquired language disorders in adults, including right hemisphere disorder.  Prerequisite: CSD 382 or permission of the instructor.

525 Dysphagia: Assessment and Intervention. (3) 
The study of swallowing and deglutition across the age span, with concentration on the methods of assessment and intervention in disorders of swallowing.  Prerequisites: CSD 210, 312 and 382.

535 Voice Disorders. (2) 
Voice production, including vocal development and life span changes. Pathophysiology of voice disorders, their assessment, management and treatment.  Prerequisites: CSD 210, 380 and 384.

547 Fluency and Fluency Disorders. (3)  
Theory, research and clinical applications in fluency disorders. Emphasis on assessment and treatment of behavioral, affective, and cognitive features of developmental stuttering across the lifespan. Consideration of cluttering, neurogenic stuttering, psychogenic stuttering.  Prerequisite: CSD 384.

548 Applied Phonology. (3) 
The study of concepts in linguistic theory and models of phonological development as they apply to the understanding of the nature, possible causes, evaluation, and management of phonological disorders.  Prerequisites: CSD 212, 380 and 481.

550 Audiology for the Speech-Language Pathologist. (2) 
Study of selected auditory disorders, screening procedures, and habilitation/rehabilitation approaches from a speech-language pathology perspective based upon current scope of practice and research.  Prerequisites: CSD 390 and 494, or permission of the instructor.

587 Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Evaluation. (1)  
Supervised practicum in speech-language evaluation procedures in the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic.  Prerequisite: CSD 481(G).

588 Graduate Clinical Practicum I Speech-Language Pathology. (1-3, repeatable to 8) 
Supervised clinical experience in on-campus and off-campus clinical facilities while working with children and adults having speech and language disorders. A minimum of 20 contact clock hours must be obtained for each credit hour.  Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

590 Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders. (1-6, repeatable to 6) 

599 Graduate Clinical Practicum in Audiology. (1-3, repeatable to 8) 
Supervised clinical experience in on-campus and/or off-campus clinical facilities while working with children and adults having hearing impairments.  Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

600 Internship in Communication Disorders (3, repeatable to 6) 
Supervised applied experience in an occupationally related area in line with the students' career objectives and approved by faculty. A minimum of eight weeks will be required for this experience.  Prerequisites: Completion of required CSD coursework, no more than one C grade in CSD 587/588, and approval of faculty.

601 Thesis. (3) 

604 Graduate Portfolio. (0) 
Throughout their graduate program, students will develop a portfolio documenting their evolving knowledge and skills in speech-language pathology. The portfolio will be submitted to a faculty committee at the end of each semester, and the student’s mastery of identified knowledge and skills will be documented. The final portfolio will show that the student has met the knowledge and skills outcomes for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). Graded S/U.  Prerequisite: Students taking CSD 604 must be in their final semester of course work, and obtain permission of CSD Graduate Adviser to enroll.