Communication Sciences & Disorders
Overview
Established in 1952 by Dr. Stanley Ainsworth, the University of Georgia Speech Pathology program was as one of the first programs in the UGA Division for Exceptional Children. The Audiology degree was initiated in 1968, and the Education of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Program became available in 1985; however, both of these master's level programs were suspended in 2001. The integrated academic and clinical education offered in the current Communication Sciences and Disorders program prepares students to provide prevention, evaluation, and intervention services for clients from birth to adult with speech, language, voice, resonance, swallowing, or hearing disorders. The Department's master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and approved by the Georgia Department of Education.
A broad-based undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Science in Education) prepares students for graduate education in speech-language pathology, audiology, or education of students who are deaf/hard of hearing or for careers in a wide variety of related medical or educational fields. Graduate degrees offered in Speech-Language Pathology include the Master of Education, Master of Arts, Educational Specialist, and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree. The Ph.D. program offers highly individualized programs of study beyond a basic core of research methodology.
There are currently seven academic/research faculty in speech-language pathology and one in audiology, all of whom hold doctoral degrees. Of the seven clinical supervisory faculty, seven have master's degrees and one has a doctoral degree. All academic/research and clinical supervisory faculty hold the appropriate Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and are licensed by the Georgia State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.
An active National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSHLA) Chapter arranges special guest programs, provides services to the Speech and Hearing Clinic, and conducts fund raising to benefit community and university projects.
Clinical Sites
An on-campus practicum in speech-language pathology is available at the graduate level and is followed by two full-time off-campus internships, one in the schools and the other in a medical setting. Students select medical practicum internship experiences from a number of excellent external sites throughout the northeast Georgia region and nearby states. School internships must be completed within the Georgia public school system.
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders maintains the on-campus University of Georgia Speech and Hearing Clinic as its primary teaching and research clinical facility. In addition to its general diagnostic and therapeutic services, the Clinic houses a number of specialty programs designed to meet the needs of certain populations with disabilities. Other local practicum sites include the University's McPhaul Child and Family Development Center, Oglethorpe County Schools Preschool Program, the Athens Community Council on Aging, Athens Regional Medical Center, Hope Haven of Northeast Georgia, St. Mary's Health Care System, and local area public schools.
Research and Clinical Laboratories
The Departmental faculty operates several laboratories and has collaborative access to several others for the scientific investigation of normal and disordered speech, language and auditory development and function. These include the
• Center for Human Neurophysiologic Research
• Laboratory of Speech-Orofacial Physiology
• Speech Science Laboratory
• Stuttering Research Laboratory
• Child Language Laboratory
• Speech Physiology: Clinical Assessment Laboratory [includes Aerodynamic (AEROWIN) and Force Physiology (FORCEWIN) Workstation]
• Evoked Response Laboratory
• Hearing Aid Laboratory
• Otoacoustic Emissions Laboratory
• Pediatric Audiometric Laboratory
• Aphasia and Aging Research Laboratory
Other on-campus research sites with which the Department is affiliated include the Center for Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, the Adult Learning Disabilities Center, and the UGA's Clinic for Autism Spectrum Evaluation and Research (CASPER Clinic).
Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers)
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