USU Graduate Degree Programs in Listening and Spoken Language for Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Children
Because there is a shortage of highly qualified professionals working with children who are deaf/heard-of-hearing, Utah State University has developed the Listening and Spoken Language emphasis in the Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education Graduate Program. USU offers the following graduate degree programs:
- Audiology
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Deaf Education
For more information on USU audiology programs, contact Karen Muñoz, EdD. For more information on USU deaf education or speech-language pathology programs, contact Lauri Nelson, PhD. Funding is available.
*Distance learning options available. Some restrictions apply. Please contact Lauri Nelson for details.
USU Deaf or Hard of Hearing Endorsement Program
The DHH Endorsement program at USU provides coursework and practical experiences for currently licensed professionals who provide services to young children who are DHH and who are developing or primarily using listening and spoken language. The online program is completed in three semesters and includes weekly mentoring using distance technologies within the professionals' current work setting.
Currently licensed 0-5 or K-12 special education teachers or speech-language pathologists are eligible to participate in the DHH endorsement program. Funding is available. For more information, contact Lauri Nelson, PhD.
Research
A primary goal of our program is to investigate and develop best practices to help children with hearing loss reach their full potential. Our faculty members work closely with graduate students and the Sound Beginnings staff to ensure that evidence-based practices are integrated into our program. Examples or current research projects include:
- examining the relationship between audiological assessments and childhood outcomes;
- developing best practices for assessment and intervention with children with hearing loss;
- maximizing literacy outcomes of children with hearing loss.
Practice
One of the most important components of training students to become highly-skilled professionals as they enter the field is the ability to practice what they are learning in a timely manner. Practice include:
- practicum starting the first day at our onsite early education program, Sound Beginnings;
- the opportunity to observe, experience, and practice through rotations in pediatric audiology, classroom settings, individual therapy, home visits, and tele-intervention;
- interaction and coaching from our interdisciplinary team of pediatric audiologists, deaf educators, and speech-language pathologists.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Our focus on collaboration is clear both within our program as well as the greater local and global community. We believe that children with hearing loss and their families benefit the most when professionals can work together. The Utah State University Listening and Spoken Language Emphasis facilitates this collaboration through:
- interdisciplinary coursework, practicum experiences, and research projects;
- coordination with local school districts and service providers
- outreach to programs throughout the world (e.g., Costa Rica, Poland, India, Panama and Vietnam).
