Post Bac Communication Sciences & Disorders (CERT)

Summary

The post-baccalaureate program in Communication Sciences & Disorders is a series of courses required prior to applying for graduate school in speech-language pathology or audiology. The courses consist of foundational knowledge in the field of speech-language pathology and audiology. 

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Degree

Certificate

Major Credits

24

Total Credits

24

Locations

Mankato

Career Cluster

Health Science

Program Requirements

Major Common Core

The courses are the minimum required to apply to a graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology graduate programs.

This course will focus on observing human communication in a variety of contexts, practicing the skill of observation of the communication of others, analyzing communication interactions, and modifying one¿s own communication to bring forth the unconscious knowledge.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-1B

Audiology is the study of both hearing and balance. In this course we will learn about the anatomy and physiology of the hearing and balance systems, common changes in hearing and balance, how we assess our hearing and balance systems, how we interpret and present the results to the patient and discuss management options for hearing and balance. In addition to the procedures, we will discuss how to provide person-centered care for each step.

Prerequisites: none

This course will introduce a wide range of communication disorders affecting children and adult population. We will explore how the brain produces and understands speech, language and hearing. Neurological, anatomical, physiological, sensory, cognitive and linguistic liberation components of communication will be discussed. You will learn to identify a communication disorder based on the origin of the disorder, characteristics of the disorder, related assessment and intervention methods, and an impact of the disorder on one¿s daily life (for example, home, school, work, and/or community). You will learn how systemic racism affects linguistic diversity and equity in speech-language and hearing sciences.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-07

Diverse Cultures: Purple

This course will focus on children's speech and language development. Observing children has a practical application by linking theory to practice. Students can establish language-rich environments to support children's language and literacy development by understanding speech and language development processes using an equity and culturally humble lens.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to provide the students with a comprehensive knowledge base of speech and hearing sciences. The major emphasis is on examining the speech chain, how speech and hearing science fits into this model, apply concepts to real-life scenarios, and what can happen when changes occur in the speech chain.

Prerequisites: none

The International Phonetic Alphabet is a critical tool for analyzing and transcribing the speech sounds of world languages in a universally understood way. It is particularly useful for speech-language pathologists tasked with assessing and treating speech-sound and motor speech disorders in adults and children. This course is designed to teach students the International Phonetic Alphabet in order to transcribe and analyze the speech of speakers of General American English recognizing regional, dialectical and linguistic variations in the speech sound productions of all individuals.

Prerequisites: none

In-depth study of structures and functions associated with communication and swallowing processes. These include selected parts of the nervous system, respiratory system, larynx, pharynx, oral cavity, articulators, and the hearing mechanism. Information is framed within a clinical perspective to allow insight into how these mechanisms relate to communication impairments and associated sequala. Gender, culture, and issues such as access to health care and health information will be discussed.

Prerequisites: none

This course will evaluate habilitative audiology and the range of communication options, including American Sign Language and cued speech, hearing aids, cochlear implants, speech reading and auditory training. This class will look at how these strategies impact someone from birth to the end of life and will evaluate aural rehabilitation options form a person-centered perspective.

Prerequisites: none