Northern Arizona University is streamlining the path to become a speech pathologist.<\/p>\n
NAU\u2019s Online Leveling Program in Speech-Language Pathology provides students a way to move into the field of communication sciences without having to leave current employment. As the state\u2019s population grows, so does the need for a skilled workforce to treat communication disorders.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur program is responding to the need for trained speech pathologists in K-12 and health-care settings,\u201d said\u00a0Bill Culbertson<\/strong>, a professor of health sciences at NAU. \u201cSince the professional entry level education for this field is a master’s degree, there has been great demand for a viable means to complete the educational requirements for entry into graduate programs and become part of the trained professional workforce to treat communication disorders.\u201d<\/p>\n Speech and pathology disorders include speech articulation disorders, delayed language development, stuttering and voice disorders that follow head injuries or stroke.<\/p>\n The \u201cleveling program\u201d is bringing students with a bachelor\u2019s degree to the same level as those who already completed the prerequisite courses for graduate study in speech pathology.<\/p>\n NAU offered its first online course in speech pathology in fall of 2000. An online certificate program for speech-language pathology assistant training was added in 2004, funded through federal and private grants: It included two of the seven leveling courses. The remainder of the leveling courses were developed and offered through an Arizona Board of Regents Reach Out \u201cARRO\u201d grant, with the first of the new online courses offered in spring, 2008<\/p>\n When the courses filled fast, the university added to the course offerings with additional courses in fall 2009, and those \u201cfilled immediately,\u201d Culbertson said. \u201cThe enrollment popularity of the program is very exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n To date, more than 280 students are enrolled in NAU\u2019s online speech pathology program.<\/p>\n The program was developed in NAU\u2019s Speech-Language Sciences and Technology Program of NAU\u2019s Health Sciences Department in its College of Health and Human Services.<\/p>\n For information about the program, go to\u00a0http:\/\/jan.ucc.nau.edu\/%7Ehs-p\/programs\/speech\/leveling.php<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"