COSD 640

COSD 640: Advanced Practicum in Speech-Language-Hearing

Prequisites: Admission to COSD Graduate program; prior course in Clinical Methods or B.S./B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Credit Hours: (1-9)

A clinical practicum course involving principles and methods of prevention, assessment, and intervention for people with communication and swallowing disorders, including consideration of anatomical/ physiological, psychological, developmental, linguistic, and cultural correlates of disorders of articulation, fluency, voice and resonance, receptive and expressive language, hearing, swallowing, and cognitive and social aspects of communication. Discussion of contemporary professional and legal issues, the Code of Ethics of the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) with focus on requirements for certification, specialty recognition, and state licensure.

Detailed Description of Content of Course

Applicants for ASHA Certification in Speech-Language Pathology must complete a program of study that includes supervised clinical experiences sufficient in breadth and depth to achieve the skills outcomes described in Standard V of the 2014 Standards for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology. This practicum course is designed to provide both on-campus and off-campus clinical experiences that contribute to the achievement of the knowledge and skills outcomes required for certification. The didactic portion of this course will provide content that supports students' clinical practicum experiences both on and off campus, as well as contemporary professional issues pertinent to the field of speech-language pathology.

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Students will engage in a variety of clinical and academic experiences in order to achieve the knowledge outcomes described in Standard IV (specifically IV-E, IV-F, IV-G, IV-H) and skill outcomes in Standard V of the 2014 Standards for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology. Students will be assigned practicum only with faculty approval and only after they have acquired a sufficient knowledge base to qualify for such an experience. In this course, students will complete observation and direct client /patient contact hours under the supervision of individuals who hold the ASHA Certificate of Clinical competence. They will engage in a variety of evaluation, intervention, and professional interaction activities with client/patient populations including both children and adults with a range of communication disorders and differences, from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Students are expected to complete a minimum of 400 clock hours of supervised clinical experience in the practice of speech-language pathology; including at least 325 hours while engaged in graduate study, 25 hours of observation, and 375 hours of direct client/patient contact. Most students will earn more than the minimum number of clock hours.

Students will also be engaged in maintaining documentation of their acquisition of required skills and outcomes through maintaining the Knowledge and Skills Acquisition (KASA) form.

Students will engage in discussion and a variety of formative and summative assessment activities including written and spoken response to case scenarios and questions concerning: knowledge and skills gained in academic and clinical experiences; contemporary professional, ethical and legal issues in the field of communication disorders; and professional skills such as applying for jobs, interviewing, counseling and collaborating with clients, family members and other professionals.

Goals and Objectives of the Course

The goals and objectives for this course are for students to develop the knowledge outcomes described in Standard IV (Specifically IV-E, IV-F, IV-G, IV-H) and skill outcomes described in Standard V of the 2014 Standards for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology. The standards are outlined below:

Demonstrate knowledge of standards of ethical conduct, as specified in Standard IV-E.
Demonstrate knowledge of processes used in research and of the integration of research principles into evidence-based clinical practice, as specified in Standard IV-F.
Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary professional issues, as specified in Standard IV-G.
Demonstrate knowledge of entry level and advanced certifications, licensure, and other relevant professional credentials, as well as local, state and national regulations and policies relevant to professional practice, as specified in Standard IV-H.
Demonstrate communication skills sufficient to achieve effective clinical and professional interaction with clients/patients and relevant others as specified in Standard V-A.
Demonstrate speech and language skills in English, which, at a minimum, are consistent with ASHA’s most current position statement on students and professionals who speak English with accents and nonstandard dialects.
Write and comprehend technical reports, diagnostic and treatment reports, and professional correspondence.
Demonstrate abilities in prevention, identification, evaluation, intervention, and interaction and personal qualities as specified in Standard V-B:

Evaluation

Conduct screening and prevention procedures (including prevention activities)
Collect case history information and integrate information from cients/patients, family, caregivers, teachers, relevant others, and other professionals
Select and administer appropriate evaluation procedures, such as behavioral observations, nonstandardized and standardized tests, and instrumental procedures
Adapt evaluation procedures to meet client /patient needs
Interpret, integrate, and synthesize all information to develop diagnoses and make appropriate recommendations for intervention
Complete administrative and reporting functions necessary to support evaluation
Refer clients/patients for appropriate services

Intervention

Develop setting-appropriate intervention plans with measurable and achievable goals that meet clients’/patients’ needs. Collaborate with clients/patients and relevant others in the planning process.
Implement intervention plans (Involve clients/patients wand relevant others in the intervention process.
Develop or select and use appropriate materials and instrumentation for preventions and intervention
Measure and evaluate clients’/patients’ performance and progress
Modify intervention plans, strategies, materials, or instrumentation as appropriate to meet the needs of clients/patients
Complete administrative and reporting functions necessary to support intervention
Identify and refer clients/patients for services as appropriate

Interaction and Personal Qualities

Communicate effectively, recognizing the needs, values, preferred mode of communication, and cultural/linguistic background of the client/patient, family, caregivers, and relevant others
Collaborate with other professionals in case management
Provide counseling regarding communication and swallowing disorders to clients/patients, family, caregivers, and relevant others
Adhere to the ASHA Code of Ethics and behave professionally

Assessment Measures

Radford University clinic practicum grading for both interns and externs is based on the Knowledge and Skill Acquisition Standards set forth by the American Speech Language and Hearing Association. It is the student's overall responsibility to review and be familiar with their program of study guidelines for knowledge outcomes and skill acquisition as defined by ASHA. These standards and implementation procedures for the certificate of clinical competence can be found at: http://www.asha.org/certification/2014-speech-language-pathology-certification-standards/

Student clinicians will receive written and verbal evaluations and grades from individual supervisors for performance in practicum at midterm and final grading periods. Students should review the Radford University's Supervisor Feedback Form- Student Knowledge and Skills which is used to evaluate acquisition of clinical skills and assign numerical grades for practicum experience. Assessment mesasures for coursework may be based on active participation in discussions, grand rounds/ case presentations, class demonstrations, journal entries and /or papers on the topics being discussed.

COSD graduate students must earn a minimum grade of B in all COSD 640 credits in the program of study in order to gradaute with a master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. For the Master of Science degree at least 12 credit hours of COSD 640 with a grade of B or better are required. For the Master of Arts degree at least 9 credit hours of COSD 640 with a grade of B or better are required. Any COSD 640 credits in which less than a B is earned must be repeated.

If a student earns a grade of F in any section of COSD 640 for behavior that is not consonant with professional service delivery and/or any violation of the code of ethics of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the result will be automatic termination from the COSD graduate program.

Other Course Information

Students participate in a didactic course that supports their practicum experiences while enrolled in the COSD graduate program; therefore brief outlines of course content as it coincides to semester of enrollment are listed below:

    First year / Fall semester
            Multicultural Considerations
            Counseling
            Code of Ethics
            ASHA 2014 Certification Standards
            Professionalism and Professional Communication
            Patient Confidentiality
            Infection Control
            Goal setting, data collection and professional writing
            Supervisory process

    First year / Spring semester-
            Multicultural Considerations
            Counseling
            Code of Ethics
            ASHA 2014 Certification Standards
            Professionalism and Professional Communication
            Service Delivery Models
            Cureent legal and professional issues

    Second year / Fall semester
            Multicultural Considerations
            Counseling
            Code of Ethics
            ASHA 2014 Certification Standards
            Professionalism and Professional Communication
            Complex Clinical Case reviews
            Preparing for the National Examination for Speech Language Pathology
            Licensure, Certification and Specialty Recognition

    Second year / Spring semester
            Multicultural Considerations
            Counseling
            Code of Ethics
            ASHA 2014 Certification Standards
            Professionalism and Professional Communication
            Complex Clinical Case Reviews
            Resume Development and Interviewing
            Preparing for the Clinical Fellowship

Review and Approval

March 14, 2016
January 2003 Course content revised to reflect changes in accreditation standards by COSD curriculum committee and Raymond Linville, Chair.