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The Communication Disorders Department at Western Kentucky University (WKU) was established in 1975, and accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology in 1993. We are now part of the College of Health and Human Services, though our physical facilities still reside within the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences.
Kentucky is a mountainous state with a large rural population. Many rural school districts experienced difficulty recruiting master's level speech pathologists; the bachelor's level clinicians were often unable to enroll in traditional programs due to distance and time constraints. In 1999 Western Kentucky University along with four other accredited programs, under the auspices of the Kentucky Virtual University, began to offer a collaborative distance master's degree in Communication Disorders for residents of Kentucky.
Given the success of this program and the frequent requests for individuals from out of the state, Western Kentucky University has launched its own distance program.
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Admission is competitive. For information on WKU Admissions Requirements, Policies and Procedures, and Applications, go to the WKU Graduate Admissions webpage at http://www.wku.edu/graduate/, then click on the dropdown box entitled 'Prospective Students'. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download the application.) Print out the application and mail in with the fee stated on the document, or use the new online version of the graduate application also available for first-time applicants. In addition to the Graduate Office's requirements for official GRE scores and transcripts, we also ask for three letters of reference and a brief essay describing why you want to pursue a distance master's degree in communication disorders. At least one of the letters of reference should be from your current supervisor or employer. Please send all letters and official documents to the Graduate Office.
Our next regular distance cohort class is projected to begin August, 2008. The deadline for applications will be February 15, 2008.
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Program Description |
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The Master of Science in Communication Disorders is designed to prepare professional speech pathologists to meet the needs of the communicatively impaired in hospitals, clinics, nursing facilities, schools, etc. It is also designed to meet the academic and clinical requirements of the American Speech Language and Hearing Association, leading to national certification and state licensure.
A minimum of 42 academic and 7 clinical credits are required for graduation, as listed below. A thesis option is also available. Courses will be presented on-line, using the Blackboard software supported by the university. There will be one five-week clinical session required on campus in July; all other practica can be completed in your area provided that ASHA certified therapists are available to supervise you.
Out-of-state students are encouraged to apply. There is now a uniform tuition rate for all distance students. |
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Program Structure |
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 Prerequisites |
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| While our distance program is oriented toward working speech clinicians, we may accept strong applicants from other disciplines. Applicants without an undergraduate degree in the field must acquire the following prerequisite coursework:
* Phonetics
* Normal Speech and Language Development
* Anatomy & Physiology of the Speech & Hearing Mechanism
* Introduction to Audiology
* Articulation Disorders
* Language Disorders
* Diagnostics in Communication Disorders
Please note that completion of these courses will not make you eligible to work in the public schools. The reason for taking these classes is to prepare you for graduate study.
In addition to the core content classes described above, our national certifying body also requires 12 credits in the basic sciences. This must include a biological science, a physical science, college level math, and a social science. These credits may be earned at either the undergraduate or graduate level. If you need to take a class in any of these areas, we would recommend general biology or human anatomy & physiology (not the same as the A & P of the speech & hearing mechanism described above) in Biology, acoustics (not the same thing as speech or hearing science) or general physics for the Physical Science, statistics or college algebra for the Math requirement, and psychology or sociology for the Social Science. |
| Courses |
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| All coursework is 3 semester hour unless otherwise noted.
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CD 500 (Research Tool) |
CD 510 |
Electives: |
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CD 502 |
CD 511 |
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CD 489G |
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CD 503 |
CD 512 or 513 |
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CD 512 or 513 |
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CD 504 |
CD 514 |
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CD 589 (ind. study) |
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CD 506 |
CD 515 |
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CD 507 |
CD 488G |
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CD 508 |
CD 590 (1cr.) |
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CD 509 |
CD 591 (6cr.) |
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| Recommended Sequence |
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Year 1 _____ Year 2___________
Fall Fall
CD 489G - Geriatric Comm.Dis. CD 504 - Seminar in Language
CD 500 - Research Methods CD 508 - Voice Disorders
CD 512 - Phonology * CD 509 - Speech Science
CD 591 - Externship (school)
Spring Spring
CD 507 - Aphasia CD 488G - AAC
CD 511 - Neurology CD 513 - Advanced Neurogenics *
CD 514 - Dysphagia CD 515 - Pediatric Audiology
CD 591 - Externship (medical)
Summer Summer
CD 503 - Advanced Diagnostics CD 506 - Dysfluency
CD 502 - Motor Speech Disorders CD 510 - Professional Issues
CD 590 - WKU CAMPUS Clinic CD 591 - Externship (other)
* Take either CD 512 or CD 513 Advanced Neurogenics
Note: Sequence may be subject to change.
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| Clinical Experience |
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Internship
An intensive clinical internship (CD 590) is scheduled on campus for 5 weeks during the summer after your first academic year. You will work with children and adults with a variety of communicative disorders. This initial clinical experience is designed to allow faculty an opportunity to see what you can do, and decide how to best improve your clinical skills. Students with limited undergraduate experience are welcome to extend this experience if the clinical schedule permits. You must attend the campus clinic before enrolling in clinical externships. There will be no exceptions granted.
Externships
Additional clinical experience can be accommodated in your area, provided that an ASHA-certified supervisor is available. You will need to acquire at least 50 clinical hours over an eight-week, full-time placement in each of three different sites. We require that one of these sites be in a school setting and one in a medical setting. The third site can be in any setting of the student's choice that provides a different type of experience from the first two. Many students elect to experience a specialty area, such as early intervention, programs for the developmentally delayed or hearing impaired, etc.
Most students will count their place of employment as a first site, leaving the second and third sites to be arranged. If you cannot count undergraduate or worksite clinical hours toward the total 400 required for certification, be sure to let your advisor know so that alternate arrangements can be made.
Given the recent changes in national certification, and variation in state regulations regarding the training and responsibilities of Speech-Language Pathology Assistants, we will need to interview your supervisor to ensure that you will have the same opportunities/experiences that would be expected for other graduate students in communication disorders. Those of you with bachelor's degrees who are working in the public schools should not have any difficulty as long as an ASHA-certified supervisor is available.
ASHA requirements effective 2005:
400 ASHA Clinical Hours
25 Observation 375 Practica
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Minimum 250 Graduate
Up to 50 Undergraduate |
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Additional Requirements |
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| Additional Department Minimum Requirements |
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Minimum of 50 hrs. each in 3 different settings, e.g., school, medical, other
Minimum 15hrs: Minimum 35 hrs:
Evaluation – Child Treatment – Child
Evaluation – Adult Treatment – Adult
Hearing
Contact ASHA at 800-498-2071 or www.asha.org
Please note that individual states may have additional requirements.
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| Additional Requirements |
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Research Methods:
A graduate level course in research design and methodology is required by Graduate Studies for all graduate students. You do not need to take this course through WKU if a local institution has one available. Research Methods must be completed before attaining 15 hours of graduate study.
Transferring Graduate Credits:
The Graduate Office will accept up to 12 graduate credits from other accredited institutions. You must have a grade of B and a gpa of 3.0 or better. Please provide a course description and copy of the syllabus for evaluation.
Note: the Graduate Office requires that all coursework be completed within a six year period. Those of you who intend to complete the program within two years may apply to transfer credits from up to four years ago.
State Teacher Certification:
Standards vary per state. Check with the Department of Education in your state to see if any additional coursework is required. This would be in addition to the 49 hours required for graduation. Kentucky residents should contact kaye.gordon@wku.edu for certification information.
Comprehensive Exams:
By the final semester of coursework, the student must have taken and passed the PRAXIS exam in speech-language pathology. Students who do not pass must successfully complete a written exam prepared by program area faculty.
Final Portfolio:
By the end of your final semester, you must submit a folio documenting your skills.
Clinical Hours:
You must attain a minimum of 400 clinical hours and demonstrate clinical competencies in order to graduate. We will need an official summary of clinical hours from your undergraduate institution if you intend to use them for ASHA certification.
ASHA Application:
All students must submit a completed ASHA application whether or not the individual chooses to apply to the national assoociation. This provides additional documentation that you have completed all requirements for graduation.
Syllabi:
Available on each professor's website, and through the Schedule of Courses on Topnet. See About Us or Registration.
FORMS:
The following forms are required by the Graduate Office during your course of study:
Form C - This program form for Master's level students details your plan of
study. The Graduate College checks this against what you have completed
before you can graduate. You may take up to 12 credits before filling out the Form C.
Form D - Admission to Candidacy. Due after completion of 12 hours and any deficiencies, and before 21 hours of coursework are completed. Research Methods and any deficiencies must have been completed before this form is submitted.
Form E - Completion of Competency. Due last semester, after completion of
the PRAXIS or competency examination.
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Academic Calendar |
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Our Distance Program follows the traditional academic calendar, with established start and completion dates. Academic Calendars can be found on the Registrar's Webpage at http://www.wku.edu/Dept/Support/AcadAffairs/Registrar/acad_calendar.htm. Full-time students can complete the program within two calendar years. Part-time students must complete all requirements within six years. |
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Faculty |
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Dr. Barbara Brindle, Ph.D |
Interim Department Head, Distance Program Coordinator; graduate advisor. Teaches Geriatric Communication Disorders, Dysphagia, Voice Disorders, Speech Anatomy & Physiology, Motor Speech Disorders, Clinical Internship, and Professional Issues. |
Dr. Frank Kersting, Ed.D. |
Rank I Coordinator. Teaches Language Disorders, Advanced Diagnostics, Phonology, Dysfluency, Speech Science and Augmentative-Alternative Communication. |
Dr. Lauren Bland, Ph.D. |
Coordinates Externship Placements. Teaches Professional Issues Seminar, Language Disorders, Articulation Disorders, Phonology, Diagnostics, and Clinical Internship. |
Dr. Richard Dressler, Ph.D. |
Teaches Neurology, Advanced Neurogenics, Motor Speech Disorders, Speech Science, and Professional Issues. |
Dr. Joseph Etienne, Ph.D.
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Audiologist. Teaches Pediatric Audiology and Speech Science. |
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Teaches Dysphasia, and Orofacial Anomalies. |
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Advising and Registration |
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Dr. Barbara Brindle and Jo Shackelford serve as Graduate Advisors. Call them at 270-745-4299 or 270-745-2839. E-mail via barbara.brindle@wku.edu or jo.shackelford@wku.edu. E-mail is preferred for initial contact.
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| Registration |
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Register online using Topnet, which is available from 7 a.m. to midnight, Mondays through Saturdays, on the WKU webpage at http://topnet.wku.edu. This site provides information on admissions, registration, student records, and financial aid. To access Topnet via the Western Kentucky University homepage, look for a dialog box labeled Quicklinks, then click on Topnet Registration.
Once the Graduate College has entered you into the computer system, login for Student Services and follow the directions. Your initial Personal Identification Number will be six digits from your social security number. We strongly recommend that you change this as soon as possible. Your advisor is Dr. Brindle.
Students who wish to enroll as visiting or non-matriculating students should register for distance master's courses in Communication Disorders via the Kentucky Virtual University website at http://www.kyvu.com. Click on the Link that says Register now, and follow the instructions. Please note that enrollment as a non-matriculating student does not qualify you for admission to the Communication Disorders Program.
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Computer System Requirements
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Minimum System Requirements |
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COMPUTER: PC MAC
Windows 2000+, MacOS 10
NT, ME, XP, Vista 604 PowerPC Processor
90 MHZ Pentium Processor 256 MB RAM
256 MB of RAM 56 K modem
56 K modem Speakers
Sound card
Speakers
Note: Pentium 166 Processer and High Speed Access
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INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER (ISP): |
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| The ISP is the company that provides you with access to the Internet. High speed access, as found via cable companies and DSLs, provides easier and more rapid access. Please be aware that course accessibility is limited with America Online, Prodigy, and CompuServe. Because of its proprietary software, students using AOL have had problems interacting with JAVA script. This makes use of chat functions difficult. |
| E-MAIL |
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Required so that we may get in touch with you. Most ISPs will provide an E-mail account, as do many companies and agencies. Check with your ISP if you do not know your E-mail address.
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| Browser |
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PC MAC____________
Internet Explorer 6.0+ Mac Safari or Firefox
If you do not know what type of browser you have, launch it, go to
help, then click on About. This will tell you which version of the
Browser you have. Download free browsers
microsoft.com.
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| Additional Software & Plug-Ins |
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- MS Word or Word Viewer & Powerpoint or Powerpoint Viewer
- Windows Media Player or RealPlayer
- Adobe Acrobat Reader - available at adobe.com
- Macromedia Flash - available at macromedia.com
- Others may be required by individual instructors.
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There is a uniform tuition rate for all distance students, whether in or out of state. Current tuition rates may be found at http://www.wku.edu/bursar. |
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The following courses open to non-contracted applicants will be offered in Spring 2008:
- CD 485G - Diagnostics
- CD 500 - Research Methods
- CD 503 - Advanced Diagnostics
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This Virtual Orientation gives you information you need as a new distance learning student. You will also be introduced to the resources available to you as a student, and ways to be successful during your time at Western Kentucky University , and particularly at this point when you start distance learning classes. You can access the orientation at any time and in the order you choose, but if you are a new student it is best to visit the Getting Started pages first. Information particular for your class, if any, can be accessed in the Course Specific Virtual Orientations pages. |
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| Getting Started |
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As an online student, you will be able to control when and where you become involved in the learning process. You will need to make a commitment to your class and be very cautious with the way you deal with your assignments. Manage your time and keep in touch with your professor and your classmates.
What is distance learning? There are many ways do online learning. Broadly, this term means that the learning process takes place at a distance, through a technologically mediated communication, instead of face-to-face communication. There are different ways of class deliver that are considered distance learning: Correspondence Studies, Online Programs (Internet based) and Broadcasting Television are examples of those. All of them may use another technology as a tool to manage their course materials. At Western, we use Blackboard as a platform of presenting learning materials, resource links, and instructional guidance. It also enables you and your professor to communicate with each other. Using Blackboard, your professor can also present materials using several other multimedia resources (including audio, video, animations, charts, etc.) so that your classes are presented in the most appropriated way.
Why distance learning? Whichever the reason is for you to choose a distance learning class, this experience will give you an important advantage in your professional preparation. At the minimum, you will be exposed to a technology that will be a day-to-day tool in your future job; but in the best scenario, you will learn how to be an active part of your learning process, will improve your writing skills, will learn how to manage deadlines, and will know yourself better by being responsible of your learning experience.
What systems does a student need to know? You will need to be familiar with the use of Email, Topnet (student information system), Blackboard (classes manager), and Tegrity (multimedia material developer). Below you will find the basics of each one of those systems.
1. TopNet. Follow this presentation to learn how to access the WKU student information system named TopNet. When you are ready to access TopNet using your own information, click on this link: http://topnet.wku.edu/ .
2. Email Account. In the following link you will find all the information you need to make sure your Email account is working properly. You must know your WKU ID and PIN to access your WKU Email Username and Password at http://www.wku.edu/accounts/ .
3. Blackboard. Follow this presentation to learn how to login into your course. You will also learn how to use Discussion Boards and the Virtual Classroom (chat sessions). When you are ready to access Blackboard with your own information, click on this link: http://ecourses.wku.edu/ .
4. Tegrity. Some of your classes may use Tegrity, a multimedia system that help your professor creating content for online delivering. Follow this presentation to learn how to watch Tegrity videos; you will also find information on how to download and print the presentation. If you are using you personal computer, this presentation will help you to make sure you will be able to watch Tegrity videos in the future.
What resources are available? You have several resources for making your online experience more pleasant. Check each on of them now at least to know what is available, and come back when you need them if you feel you have
forgotten the information.
1. Virtual Library.
2. Ordering books.
What is my Enrollment Status? If you want to make sure what kind of distance learning class you have signed up, you may visit this link: http://www.wku.edu/Dept/Support/AcadAffairs/CorrStudy/Tutorial/EnrollmentStatus.htm
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| Texts |
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Check the syllabi on Topnet Schedule Bulletin or the individual instructor's webpage for texts and/or required materials. You may opt to purchase from the publisher, request a local bookstore to order it for you, or order it online via the WKU Bookstore at http://www.wku.edu/Info/Bookstore
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| Technical Support |
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WKU Phone:
270-745-7020 or 866-LERN WKU
Assistance available between 8 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
WKU E-Mail:
cihelp@atech.wku.edu
KYVU Tech Help Desk:
Toll Free 1.877.725.4357 (HELP)
Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.;
Sunday 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
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Communication Disorders Department
Western Kentucky University
1906 College Heights Blvd. 41030
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1030
Phone: 270-745-2278
E-Mail: CommunicationDisorders@wku.edu
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