Speech and Language Therapy (BS)
The Bachelor of Science in Speech and Language Therapy aspires to prepare competent professionals to carry out tasks of screening, prevention and treatment of communication disorders in Puerto Rico. The professional graduates of the Program will be able to offer therapeutic services to children and young people between 0-21 years of age under the supervision of a licensed Speech and Language Pathologist, as established by Law 77 which regulates the practice of professionals of Speech and Language Therapy, Speech Pathology, and Language and Audiology in Puerto Rico. Graduates of this Program will be capable of performing tasks of evaluation and prevention of communication disorders.
In addition to the admission requirements in this Catalog, students of this Program must present evidence of graduation from an accredited high school or its equivalent with a minimum grade point index of 2.50 or its equivalent.
The Aguadilla, Fajardo and Ponce campuses are authorized to offer this Program.
Academic goals
The Bachelor of Science in Speech and Language Therapy has the following goals:
- Prepare competent professionals who can collaborate in the prevention, identification and treatment of children and young people with communication problems.
- Train proficient graduates to offer interventions to children and young people between 0-21 years old under the supervision of a licensed Speech and Language Pathologist, as established by Law 77 that regulates the practice of Speech and Language Therapy, Speech Pathology professionals. and Language and Audiology in Puerto Rico.
- Promote a humanistic attitude with ethical values and principles in the practice of the speech and language therapy profession.
General objectives
The General Objectives of the Bachelor of Science in Speech and Language Therapy are:
- Promote the understanding of concepts related to the area of speech and language therapy to address communication deficiencies.
- Develop in the student knowledge of the fundamental principles of techniques and strategies in speech and language in communication services.
- Train the student in the application of methods, techniques, strategies, and assessment according to the condition, level of severity, and skills of the individual.
- Encourage the development of activities and materials that adapt to the needs and abilities of clients receiving speech and language therapy services.
- Introduce the foundations for writing clinical documents related to the speech and language therapy service.
- Foster a commitment to working effectively with interdisciplinary health professionals, clients and their families to improve the well-being of children and adolescents with communication problems.
- Develop positive attitudes towards the values, ethical principles, diversity and education of people with speech and language problems and their families.
Competencies Profile of Graduates
The Bachelor of Science in Speech and Language Therapy is designed to develop the competencies that will enable students to:
Knowledge
- Identify the procedures and screening instruments for speech, language and hearing used with the population from 0-21 years of age.
- Differentiate the techniques and strategies for the treatment of disorders of articulation, voice, fluidity and language, in spoken as well as in written speech, in children and young people between 0-21 years of age.
Skills
- Develop activities appropriate to the objectives of the intervention plan designed by the speech and language pathologist, in a logical and organized manner.
- Document the performance of the client in a precise, concise, objective and quantifiable form in each intervention.
- Use technology as a tool for therapeutic interventions.
- Administrate screening instruments in harmony with the population and the communication problem you are dealing with.
- Inform the screening results in a reliable manner.
- Apply appropriate intervention methods, techniques and strategies according to the condition, level of severity, behavior and skills of the client.
- Recommend creative follow-up activities to the objectives worked on in the therapy, to be implemented in the daily environments of the child by caretakers.
- Develop orientation activities on topics related to speech and language therapy, for clients, family members and the community in general.
Attitudes
- Develop appropriate interpersonal relationships with the children to whom you offer services, with their caregivers and with other professionals.
- Demonstrate sensitivity to the needs and cultural values of the client and their family.
- Justify your interventions with the theories and ethical principles of the speech and language therapy profession.
Admission Requirements for the Practice
To be admitted to the practice in the Bachelor’s Degree of Sciences in Speech Therapy the following is required:
- A formal application and approval of the director of academic department or his representative.
- A minimum general grade index of 2.50.
- A current negative certificate of criminal records issued by the Police of Puerto Rico.
- A current certificate of health issued by the Department of Health.
- Evidence of vaccination against Hepatitis B.
Retention Requirements
- Pass all major and related requirements of the Program with a minimum grade of C, except the practice courses (SPTH 4914, SPTH 4915) which must be passed with minimum grade of B.
Graduation Requirements
- Pass the courses of the major with a minimum grade of C.
- Pass the Practice courses with a minimum grade of B (SPTH 4914, SPTH 4915).
- Meet the graduation requirements established in the current General Catalog.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
| General Education Requirements |
48 credits |
| Major Requirements |
63 credits |
| Prescribed Distributive Requirements |
6-7 credits |
| Elective course |
3 credits |
| Total |
120-121 credits |
General Education Requirements - 48 credits
Forty and eight (48) credits are required as explained in the section “General Education Requirements for Bachelors’ Degrees”. Students of this Program will take course GEST 2020 (The Natural Environment and the Human Being) in the Scientific and Technological Context category and course GEHS 3050 (Human Formation, Society, and Culture) in the Historical and Social Context category. They will take course GEMA 1200 in the Basic Skills in Mathematics category.
Major Requirements - 63 credits
| SPTH 1010 | Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Language | 3 |
| SPTH 1011 | Normal Development of Language | 3 |
| SPTH 1122 | Introduction to Audiology | 3 |
| SPTH 1123 | Ethical and Legal Matters and Clinical Procedures | 3 |
| SPTH 1124 | Fluency Disorders in Children | 3 |
| SPTH 2010 | Disorders of Articulation and Phonology | 3 |
| SPTH 2015 | Voice Disorders in Children | 3 |
| SPTH 2024 | Use of Technology in The Practice of Speech and Language Therapy | 3 |
| SPTH 2110 | Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Anomalies | 3 |
| SPTH 2120 | Intervention with Children with Hearing Impairments | 3 |
| SPTH 2130 | Cognitive and Psycho-Social Conditions Associated with Speech and Language Problems | 3 |
| SPTH 3020 | Identification and Treatment of Children with Oral Language Disorders | 3 |
| SPTH 3021 | Identification and Treatment of Children with Written Language Disorders | 3 |
| SPTH 3022 | Clinical Documentation in the Profession of Speech and Language Therapy | 3 |
| SPTH 3140 | Early Intervention | 3 |
| SPTH 3141 | Therapeutic Interventions for Children with Speech and Language Problems | 3 |
| SPTH 3142 | Sign Language | 3 |
| SPTH 3143 | Dysphagia in Children | 2 |
| SPTH 3210 | Augmentative and Alternative Aids for Communication in Children | 3 |
| SPTH 4141 | Integratated Seminar I | 2 |
| SPTH 4142 | Integratated Seminar II | 2 |
| SPTH 4914 | Practicum I | 1 |
| SPTH 4915 | Practicum II | 2 |
Prescribed Distributive Requirements - 6-7 credits
Select six (6) or seven (7) credits from the following courses:
| EDUC 2031 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| EDUC 2032 | Learning Psychology | 3 |
| EDUC 2053 | Nature and Needs of Students with Autism | 3 |
| EDUC 2870 | The Exceptional Student Population | 4 |
| EDUC 2905 | Nature and Needs of Students with Intellectual Disability and Mental Disorders | 3 |
| EDUC 2906 | Nature and Needs of Students with Specific Learning Problems, ADD And ADHD | 3 |
| EDUC 3290 | Management of Student Behavior in the Classroom | 3 |