Saturday, 2 June 2012

Online Speech Therapy Classes and Training Programs

Students can pursue an education in speech therapy online by completing undergraduate and graduate classes and programs. Graduates of these online programs can go on to become certified speech therapists.

Overview of Online Speech Therapy Courses and Training Programs

Because of the importance of interaction and hands-on experience in this field, programs may not be available fully online. However, students can take several online theoretical and instructional courses in speech therapy science. Students who are interested in an online speech therapy education can participate in undergraduate and graduate programs. Usually, online master's degree programs prefer that students have a bachelor's degree in speech-language pathology or something closely related. However, if students have a bachelor's degree in another area, some schools allow students to complete individual leveling courses, or prerequisites, in order to enter the master's program.
Graduates with a master's degree can go on to take the national licensing exam and complete the required clinical experience hours in order to earn licensure. State regulations may vary, so it is important for students to look into the requirements for the state they wish to work in.

Course Requirements

Online speech therapy courses and programs require all students to have access to a computer, the Internet and an e-mail account. Most courses require students to use Microsoft Word or equivalent for assignments and papers. Some speech therapy courses may require students to have access to special equipment for transcription or audiology courses. Students may need to visit campus to access laboratories that have this equipment.

Online Speech Therapy Courses

Phonetics Course

In this course, students study the phonetic alphabet. Instructors may give online lectures about the speech sounds of American English. Students practice transcription by listening to recorded speech online and typing what they hear in the appropriate transcription format.

Language Development Course

This course introduces students to the process of language development in children from birth to about six years old. Lectures and course texts cover language learning theories. Students may meet online to discuss when children need to acquire certain components of language in order to develop at a normal pace.

Introductory Audiology Course

In this course, students learn the science of sound transmission and reception as it relates to human hearing. Classes explore the normal range of hearing in children and adults and the common causes of hearing loss. Some courses may provide examples of hearing tests in online laboratories for students to experiment with.

Language Disorders Course

This course exposes students to the different types of hearing and speech disorders that speech therapists encounter. Course topics cover recognition, assessment, diagnosis and therapy for language disorders.

Stuttering Course

Stuttering is a commonly found language disorder, and this course gives students a more in-depth look at the causes and treatments of stuttering. Students may meet in online chat forums to discuss the psychological and emotional aspect of stuttering and what this means in application of speech therapy.

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