Division of Communication Disorders

265 Health Sciences, (307) 766‑6427
FAX: (307) 766-6829
Web site: www.uwyo.edu/comdis
Director: Mark Guiberson

Professors:

MARK GUIBERSON, B.A. University of Colorado 1997; M.A. 1999; Ph.D. Colorado State University 2006; Professor of Speech-Language Pathology 2019, 2011.

MARY HARDIN-JONES, B.A. Texas Tech University 1978; M.S. 1979; Ph.D. University of Iowa 1984; Professor of Speech-Language Pathology 2005, 2001.

DAVID L. JONES, B.S. Westminster College 1980; M.A. University of Iowa 1983; Ph.D. 1987; Professor of Speech-Language Pathology 2005, 2001.

Associate Professors:

ERIN J. BUSH, B.S. University of Wyoming 2000; M.S. University of Nebraska-Kearney 2003; Ph.D. University of Nebraska-Lincoln 2011; Associate Professor of Speech-Language Pathology 2021, 2015.

Assistant Professors:

KATELYN J. KOTLAREK, B.S. University of Wisconsin-Madison 2012; M.S. Florida State University 2014; Ph.D. East Carolina University 2019; Assistant Professor 2019.

BREANNA KRUEGER, B.A. University of Wyoming 2007; M.A. University of Kansas 2011; M.A. 2013; Ph.D. 2017; Assistant Professor 2017.

Lecturers:

SHELLEY BARTON, B.A. University of Wyoming 2005; M.S. 2008; Instructor 2018.

ESTHER HARTSKY, B.A. Adams State University 2000; A.A.S. Pikes Peak Commnity College 2004; Assistant Lecturer 2017.

KARLEE SMITH, B.S. University of Wyoming 2014; M.S. University of Wyoming 2013; Lecturer 2020.

Clinical Professors:

TERESA J. GARCIA, B.S. University of Wyoming 1989; M.S. 1991; Clinical Professor 2020, 2016, 1995.

Assistant Clinical Professors:

CORRI SANDOVAL, B.S. University of Wyoming 2000; M.S. 2010; Assistant Clinical Professor 2020.

HEIDI CLARK, B.S. University of Virginia 1998; M.A. Kent State University 2000; Assistant Clinical Professor 2020.

Adjunct Clinical Instructor:

Melissa Denker, M.S., CCC-SLP

Professors Emeriti:

Janis A. Jelinek, Douglas W. Laws, Michael A. Primus

The areas of speech-language pathology and audiology are concerned with disorders of communication. Included in these areas are the studies of systems underlying the normal communicative process (phonetics, acoustics, neurology, anatomy and physiology); development of speech, hearing and language funct ions; deviat ions from the normal communicative process; and diagnosis and management of speech, language and hearing disorders.

The Division of Communication Disorders offers a bachelor’s (B.S.) degree in speech, language and hearing science. The bachelor’s degree is considered preprofessional preparation for entrance into a graduate program in either speech-language pathology or audiology. The Bachelor’s degree at UW is not designed to meet requirements to become a speech-language pathology assistant (SLP-A), additional practicum and some coursework at another institution would be required to become an SLP-A. To work as a speech-language pathologist (SLP), a graduate degree is required. A graduate degree is needed to work in most employment settings. The division offers a Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology. The combined undergraduate and graduate programs are designed to prepare students to meet the academic and clinical requirements for Wyoming licensure and the Certificate of Clinical Competence awarded by the American Speech Language Hearing Association.

The graduate program in speech-language pathology is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. See the division web site for additional information.

Any student seeking admission to the graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology within the Division of Communication Disorders will be required to obtain a background check as specified by college policy.

Undergraduate Learning Outcomes

The Bachelors of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Science provides students with a broad-based foundation in the sciences and humanities, fundamental knowledge of human communication, communication development, and the nature of communication disorders across the lifespan. This degree prepares students for professional degree programs in speech-language pathology or audiology as well as other allied career fields or degree programs. To see the most recent undergraduate student learning objectives, go to the Division website: http://www.uwyo.edu/comdis/student-objectives-handbooks-manuals.html.

Speech and Hearing Clinic

Speech and hearing clinical services are available to University of Wyoming students. For information concerning these services, contact the Speech and Hearing Clinic.

There is a student organization with whom speech-language pathology and audiology majors may choose to affiliate, the National Student Speech-Language and Hearing Association. Objectives are to promote and recognize scholastic achievement and to support clinical, research, and service endeavors.

Graduate Study

Admissions to the M.S. Degree Program in Speech-Language Pathology

Admission to the master’s program in speech-language pathology is made on a competitive basis. We accept students to start in the fall of each year. For application, admission, and a description of the program, see the
division website. Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution. All applicants should have at least a 3.000 cumulative GPA (scale of 4.000). Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores must be reported as part of the application procedures (see below).

Application Procedure

Applications to our master’s program must be made through an electronic, centralized application service: the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service for Clinical Education in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (CSDCAS). Instructions and application procedures are available at https://portal.csdcas.org. Check the division web site in September for instructions.

Applicants will be notified of the division’s decision on acceptance, alternate, or denial by mid-March. Applicants must respond to the offer by April 15. Alternates will be offered positions that become available after April 15.

For International (including Canadian) students, the university must determine whether financial resources are sufficient for study here.

International Students

International students from non-Englishspeaking countries need a TOEFL score of 600 to show English proficiency. Additional sources of evidence may be requested by the division to make a final decision. English proficiency must be sufficient for success in graduate school and certification as a speech-language pathologist in the United States, even if the applicant intends to return to the native country.

Conditional Status

An applicant may be admitted conditionally if he or she does not meet the GPA requirements for full admission, and the Division determines that there are sufficient areas of strength for success in graduate school in comparison to other applicants. Conditions will be placed on admission such as graduate grade point average, performance criteria, or completion of certain courses.

Requirements Following Offer of Admission

Students who accept an offer of admission to the program must then provide numerous pieces of required documentation for admission to UW and program, and will also need to be responsive to emails from the Division and faculty throughout onboarding.

Criminal Background Check

Admission to the graduate program in speech-language pathology is contingent upon passing a criminal background check. Each student recommended for admission into program will be required to obtain, pay, and pass a criminal background check. These background checks are routinely required by schools, hospitals, and other agencies that participate in the clinical education of our students. The results of the background check may determine admission to our program. Please see the College of Health Sciences web site for the policy and procedures document.

Graduate Student Outcome Data

As of September 2020, 96.3% of MS SLP students completed the program “on-time” over the last three years, 100% obtained employment, and reported Praxis Exam pass rate was 100%.

Program Specific Graduate Assistantships

Financial help for graduate students is available each year through the department with assistantships and other funding. Typically, graduate assistantships include one-half tuition support and a monthly stipend. These assistantships require the student to spend 10 hours per week assisting faculty members in teaching and research. Awards are competitive and based on past academic performance, evidence of professional promise, and letters of recommendation. Graduate assistantships are awarded to applicants with full admission.

Differential Tuition

The graduate program in speech-language pathology has a differential tuition rate. See the Division website and/or fee book for details.

Program Specific Degree Requirements Master’s Programs

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is a professional degree program. The graduate program consists of a minimum of 55 credit hours of academic coursework, on-campus clinical practica, and external clinical practica. Students may pursue either a thesis or non-thesis track during their graduate studies. Both tracks lead to eligibility for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP), granted by the Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language-Pathology (CFCC), which is a council serving the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. Graduates are also eligible for the Wyoming license in speech-language pathology. A supervised Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) is required beyond the graduate degree for certification. The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology at the University of Wyoming is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

Typical Programs of Study

There are two programs of study for the MS SLP program. The Plan A is the thesis option (64-credit hour program), and Plan B is the non-thesis option (61-credit hour program). The Plan B (non-thesis) option requires 35 credits of graduate academic work and 26 credits of graduate clinical practicum; the Plan A (thesis) option requires 3 additional credits of thesis work.

35 hours of graduate academic work usually includes:

SPPA 5020: Phonological Assessment and Intervention

SPPA 5140: Evaluation Procedures in Communication Disorders

SPPA 5280: Early Language Intervention

SPPA 5220: Voice Disorders

SPPA 5130: Adult Neurogenic Disorders

SPPA 5330: School-Age Language Intervention

SPPA 5120: Stuttering

SPPA 5110: Craniofacial Disorders

SPPA 5230: Dysphagia

SPPA 5100: Motor Speech Disorders

SPPA 5210: AAC

SPPA 5380: Professional Practice

26 hours in graduate clinical practicum include:

SPPA 5030: Clinical Practicum

SPPA 5270: Educational Practicum

SPPA 5290: Medical Practicum

Plan B students complete 1 credit of SPPA 5961 Graduate Projects as part of their academic work. Plan A (Thesis) students do not take SPPA 5961, instead thesis students complete 4 credits of SPPA 5960 Thesis Research.

Wyoming Assessment of Knowledge and Skills

The MS SLP program’s Wyoming Assessment Of Knowledge And Skills (WAKS) are linked to American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CFCC). By meeting the WAKS objectives and successfully completing clinical practicum requirements, MS SLP graduates are eligible to apply for national certification from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, and are eligible for state licensure in Wyoming. To see the most recent WAKS objectives, go to the Division website: http://www.uwyo.edu/comdis/student-objectives-handbooks-manuals.html).

Leveling Coursework

Leveling is completed on a course-by-course basis. Students are encouraged to enroll in a second bachelor’s degree program. Any semester in which a student takes a graduate class (numbered 5000 or above), the student must change status to non-degree graduate (NDG). This allows the graduate courses to be applied to the master’s program at a later date. Fees and tuition for all the coursework in that semester are charged at the graduate student rate. Refer to the division website for a list of courses.

Continuing Education

Students may take graduate coursework as continuing education without having been admitted to the graduate program, if instructor consent is granted. If students are accepted at a later date into the graduate program, they may apply a maximum of 12 graduate credit hours earned as a non-degree student toward their graduate degrees. Coursework submitted must be approved by the division at the time the official program of study is submitted. Coursework may not be older than 6 years from time of master’s graduation.

Course Transfers and Waivers

In accredited programs of speech-language pathology, evaluation involves both course grades and demonstration of specific knowledge and skills. As a result, for any course transferred, waived, or applied from nondegree status, evidence of the knowledge and skills linked to that course will still be required.

Programs

Major

Speech, Language and Hearing Science, B.S.

Graduate

Speech-Language Pathology, M.S.

Certificate

American Sign Language Studies Certificate