Graduate Program In Bilingual Speech-Languae Pathology

Maria L. Muñoz, P h D ( University of Texas ), Associate Professor; CCC SLP.

Areas of interest: Adult neurogenic language disorders, speech and language disorders in bilingual populations; multicultural issues.

Dr. Muñoz has been actively involved in bilingual-multicultural issues in communication disorders since obtaining her MA at the University of Texas at Austin as a participant in the Bilingual Speech-Language Pathology training program. Subsequently, she was employed as an SLP at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired where she engaged in a vairety of clinical activities with culturally and linguistically diverse childern. Dr. Muñoz was awarded a fellowship to attend to the University of Texas at Austin where she specialized in bilingual aphasia and participated in the Leadership Training Program for Multicultural Communication Sciences and Disorders. Upon completion of her PhD she completed a post-doctoral fellowship in adult neurogenic language disorders at the University of Arizona. Currently, she teaches courses in adult neurolingustics, and bilingualism. Dr. Muñoz conducts clinical research in aphasia and bilingualism.

Irmgard Payne, M.S., (Texas Christian University) Instructor; CCC-SLP.

E-mail address: i.payne@tcu.edu

Areas of interest: speech and language disorders in bilingual populations; multicultural issues; foreign accent reduction.

Ms. Payne, a graduate of TCU's Bilingual-Emphasis Program, has been a clincal supervisor at Texas Christian University for 6 years. She supervises undergraduate and graduate students conducting assessment and/or treatment in the areas of child and adult speech and language disorders, aural rehabilitation, and accent reduction. In addition, she has coordinated the collaborate effort betweent TCU's bilingual program and Head Start centers in the Fort Worth. Ms. Payne supervises graduate students in the bilingual program as they conduct screening, evaluation and therapy with children enrolled in Head Start. Previously, Ms. Payne worked in private practice doing home health, practicing in the hospital rehab setting and serving Head Start clients.

LYNITA YARBROUGH, M.S., (Texas Christian University) Adjunct; CCC-SLP.

E-mail address: losyarbros4@mac.com

Areas of interest: speech and language disorders in bilingual populations; multicultural issues.

Ms. Yarbrough earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in speech-language pathology from TCU's Bilingual-Emphasis Program. She is a practicing Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist and has experience in a variety of settings. Over the past 13 years she has been working in the public schools where she has focused on assessing and treating bilingual children. Currently, she supervises Clinical Fellows working in the schools. Further, Ms. Yarbrough has worked with Head Start of Tarrant County where she currently provides in-service training sessions for the teaching staff focusing on the areas of bilingualism in preschool students, early literacy, the impact of poverty on language learning and multicultural issues. She has taught various courses at the graduate level including Sociolinguistics, Language Development in Bilingual Populations and Language Disorders. Ms. Yarbrough has served on the Texas Speech-Language and Hearing Association's Task Force on Multilingual/Multicultural Issues.

Programa Bilingüe de Maestría en Patología del Habla y Lenguaje en TCU (Desórdenes Comunicológicos)

The program in bilingual speech-language pathology is a specialized option within the graduate program in speech-language pathology at Texas Christian University. Students specializing in bilingual speech-language pathology receive training in:

Speech and language development and disorders in bilingual chidren, with an emphasis on Spanish-English speakers.
Speech and language processing, and communication disorders in adult bilinguals, with an emphasis on Spanish-English speakers.
Clinical techniques for the identification, assessment, and management of communication disorders in linguistically and culturally diverse populations.

The bilingual speech-language pathology training program is designed to equip bilingual students to provide clinical services to linguistically and culturally diverse individuals who present communication disorders . Students admitted into the bilingual track will obtain the majority of their clinical experiences with bilingual children and adults. Because of TCU's location in a state with a large Hispanic population, the language of focus in the program is Spanish. However, the information and skills acquired in the courses and clinical work are applicable for working with individuals whose primary language is other than English and Spanish. To participate in the bilingual tract, students must demonstrate near native proficiency in English and Spanish.

Curriculum

Students are expected to complete the required coursework for a Masters of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. In lieu of COSD 60353 (Sociolinguistics), students in the bilingual training program enroll in COSD 60273. Additionally, students will enroll in an second course in bilingual speech pathology (COSD 60333).

COSD 60233 Speech, Language, and Cognition in Adult Bilinguals.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing in speech-language pathology and consent of instructor. Study of literature in neurolinguistics, psycholinguistics and sociolinguistic aspects of bilingualism in adulthood. Includes current practices in the assessment and treatment of communication disorders in non-English speaking and bilingual adults.

COSD 60273 Assessment and Treatment of Communication Disorders in Bilingual Children.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in speech-language pathology and consent of instructor. Study of bilingual speech and language development, societal and individual influences on bilingualism, and current practices in the assessment and treatment of communication disorders in non-English speaking and bilingual children.

Clinical Practicum

Students are expected to have a variety of clinical experiences and meet departmental and ASHA standards for clinical hours. The COSD faculty is committed to ensuring that students in the bilingual speech-language pathology training program can meet these requirements while serving a culturally and linguistically diverse population, particularly Spanish speaking children and adults.

Head Start
During the first year of graduate training, the bilingual student clinicians provide supervised speech-language screening, assessment, and treatment services to pre-school children enrolled in Head Start. The students and supervisor travel to several Head Start centers in the Fort Worth area to provide services on-site. The Head Start centers that participate have significant number of children who are Spanish-speaking or bilingual.

Miller Speech and Hearing Clinic
During the first and second years, students are assigned to diagnostic and treatment slots at the Miller Speech and Hearing Clinic. Students are supervised by various members of the academic and clinical faculty. Bilingual students will often be assigned to clients who are bilingual or Spanish speaking. This allows students to gain experience working with adults and children with a variety of communication disorders (aphasia, traumatic brain injury, stuttering, voice, etc).

Externships
Students are assigned to externship sites the summer following their first year, and during one semester of their second year. A variety of sites are available, including schools and local hospitals and rehabilitation centers. Every effort is made to assign bilingual students to externship sites with a significant bilingual and Spanish-speaking patient/student population. Strong support for the bilingual training program exists within the Fort Worth community. Many bilingual graduates of TCU serve as externship supervisors.

Diagnostic Materials in Spanish
The Miller Speech and Hearing Clinic has a comprehensive library of Spanish language assessment materials. The most commonly utilized tests are listed below:

Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination-3 (English and Spanish)
Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF 4)
Examen de Afasia Multilingue
Expressive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test
PLS-4 Preschool Language Scale 4th Ed. Spanish Version
Psycholinguistic Assessment of Language Processing in Aphasia (PALPA: Spanish/English)
Spanish Articulation Measure (Revised Edition)
Spanish Language Assessment Procedures (SLAP)
Structured Photographic Expressive Language Test-Preschool (SPELT)
Test For Auditory Comprehension of Language English/Spanish

Faculty


(click on any of the above faculty names for additional information)

Research Opportunities

Clinical Research in Bilingual Aphasia
Lead researcher: Dr. Maria L. Muñoz

Stuttering in Spanish Speakers
Lead researcher: Dr. Jennifer Watson

Application Procedures

Prospective students must complete the TCU application for admissions for graduate studies in speech-pathology. On the application, please indicate your interest in the bilingual program by answering yes to the following question “Do you intend to pursue the Bilingual program with your MS in Speech-Language Pathology?” Once your completed application is received, you will be contacted by phone to determine your eligibility for the bilingual training program.

Students who wish to be considered for enrollment in this program must meet the following prerequisites:

Native or near-native proficiency in spoken and written Spanish and English
B.A. in speech-language pathology, or its equivalent.
A 3.0 scholastic average on a 4.0 scale.

Scholarship Opportunities

Qualified applicants may receive one of several forms of financial assistance. These awards offer tuition remission and require up to eight hours per week of service to the program. Some awards include a monthly stipend. A limited number of scholarships are available.

Contact Information

For questions related specifically to the bilingual training program in speech-language pathology please contact one of the bilingual faculty members via e-mail or by calling 817-257-7621.

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Overview

Letter to Prospective Students

Admissions

Requirements

Financial Aid

Speech-Language Pathology Program

Bilingual Speech-Language Pathology Program

Course Syllabi