Speech Pathology Programs in Wyoming - WY

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: January, 25 2010

Most Speech Language Pathologists in Wyoming decide to join Wyoming Speech-Language-Hearing Association (WSHA).  This professional organization strives to advance training programs and practices in the field, enhance services in the state, and promote knowledge and skills through continuing education programs. WSHA is affiliated with American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA).

Another professional standard for Speech-Language Pathologists is be qualified for an ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence.  An AHSA CCC requires stringent academic and professional standards, in addition to the minimum requirements for the state license.  There are more than 135,000 ASHA-certified professionals. ASHA certification includes passage of a national exam, developed in conjunction with Educational Testing Services (ETS). 

Speech-Language Pathologist Schools in Wyoming

A BS in Speech Language and Hearing Science typically includes classes in biological sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and the social/behavioral sciences; and at least one course in each of the biological, physical, social, and mathematical sciences. In addition to the basic science, communication sciences and disorders, general education and humanities courses, most programs also include clinical training. 

A suggested Course Sequence for the BS degree might be English, Math, Political Science, Psychology, Statistics; followed by Orientation to Communications Disorders, Introduction to Communication Disorders, Beginning Sign Language, Phonetics, Anatomy & Physiology of Speech.  Then, Swallowing and Hearing, Intermediate Sign Language, Workshop in Speech Pathology/Audiology, Deaf Culture in America, Advanced Sign Language and Sign Language Practicum; and Aural Rehabilitation, Speech and Language Development, Diagnostic Procedures in Communicative Disorders, Language Disorders Across the Lifespan, Clinical Methods.  The next year might include Hearing Science, Basic Audiology, Neurology Basis of Communication, Early Childhood Language Development and Disorders, Research Methods in Communication Disorders.

The MS portion of the educational program will include clinical experience in different settings  Usually, programs include research activities, too.  Some of the curriculum might include Language & Speech Neurology, Perception & Acoustics of Speech Disorders, Language Acquisition in Children, Clinical Procedures & Principles, Language Disorders in Children, Stuttering, Communication Disorders Management in Schools, Clinical Phonetics & Articulation Disorders, Autism, and Disorders in Motor Speech.

Graduates of the MS degree will be qualified to continue on into a doctorate program.