The Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology is a post-entry level professional degree for individuals who want to increase depth of knowledge in the field of speech-language pathology while also acquiring clinical research experience. Graduates of the program are trained for advanced clinical practice, leadership roles, and to be clinical educators.
The post-entry level professional program at Loma Linda University is one of a handful of such programs in the country and is currently the only such program in California. Current practitioners will gain advanced knowledge in the field of speech-language pathology, with specialized training in evidence-based practice, critical thinking, leadership, problem-solving, and clinical research. Doctoral students will become adept at analyzing and synthesizing the existing research literature as they design and conduct their own clinical study in their area of interest. Doctoral students will be required to complete an applied dissertation research capstone project designed by the student and their faculty mentor. This project will be in the form of a written manuscript for potential publication.
By the end of the program, graduates should be able to:
Note: If you live in a state that has regulatory requirements for online education, please check if Loma Linda University is able to accept residents of your state for online education. You may check LLU State Authorization online or contact the Admissions office for School of Allied Health Professions, 909-558-4599.
In addition to Loma Linda University and School of Allied Health Professions admissions requirements, the applicant must also complete the following requirements:
In the admissions screening process, the applicant’s recommendations, interview, personal statement, and work experience are all considered. The most qualified applicants will be selected to be interviewed. The strength of the interview will be evaluated along with the applicant's stated research goals/plans. Admission will be decided based on the perceived potential of the applicant to succeed in this clinical research program as well as availability of a faculty mentor suited to the applicant’s research area.
Courses in the program fall into two broad domains: research and theory. Students will be required to take all courses in each domain
| Major | ||
| SLPD 555 | Translating Scientific Research | 3 |
| SLPD 570 | Special Topics in Speech-Language Pathology (3) 1 | 9 |
| SLPD 580 | Clinical Issues in Speech-Language Pathology | 3 |
| SLPD 600 | Components of Clinical Inquiry | 3 |
| SLPD 611 | Capstone Proposal Presentation & IRB | 3 |
| SLPD 621 | Capstone Planning | 3 |
| SLPD 623 | Capstone II | 3 |
| SLPD 624 | Capstone III | 3 |
| SLPD 625 | Capstone IV | 3 |
| SLPD 626 | Dissemination of Research | 3 |
| Cognates | 6 | |
| Wholeness and Health | ||
| Bioethics and Society | ||
| Electives | 6 | |
| Managing Stress | ||
| Therapeutic Humor in Health Care | ||
| Writing for Health-Care Professionals | ||
| Theoretical Foundations of Leadership | ||
| Personal Leadership | ||
| Leadership for Health Professionals | ||
| Total Units | 48 | |
Course will be taken three times with a different topic each time.
This requirement may be met by taking a religion course designated as a service learning course. For more information about this requirement and a list of religion courses that fulfill it, see section on academic service learning in this CATALOG.
2.3 - 2.9 years (eight [8] - ten [10] academic quarters)
SLPD 550. Advanced Seminar in Neuroanatomy and Neuroscience. 3 Units.
Provides in-depth information on the role played by the brain in speech and language. Reviews functional neuroanatomy as an introduction to the following topics: functional commitment, neuroplasticity, long-term potentiation, etc. Informs clinical best practice by focusing on the complexity of the brain with regard to cognitive and motor function, and by providing background on functional brain imaging research.
SLPD 555. Translating Scientific Research. 3 Units.
Focuses on a wide variety of competencies that enable students to communicate the science and rationale behind their practices. Examines communication principles relevant to the field. Emphasizes analysis and interpretation of scholarly research articles and translating the content for diverse populations.
SLPD 570. Special Topics in Speech-Language Pathology. 3 Units.
Provides an in-depth look at a variety of topics in the field. Topics selected by faculty with input from students may include dysphagia, autism, dysfluency, bilingualism, etc. Students critically examine current research in the topic area in order to determine best practice. May be repeated for additional credit.
SLPD 580. Clinical Issues in Speech-Language Pathology. 3 Units.
Topics covered include clinical supervision, administration, and starting/managing an independent clinic; as well as ethics and counseling. Focuses on interprofessional collaboration both within the allied health professions (e.g., occupational or physical therapy) and beyond (for either education or medical contexts). Students comment in online discussions on case studies.
SLPD 600. Components of Clinical Inquiry. 3 Units.
Focuses on skills fundamental to critical evaluation of the strength of scientific research. Covers elements of research design important to the validity of a study and identification of flaws in design and conclusions.
SLPD 610. Capstone IRB Proposal. 4 Units.
Provides instruction in developing an individual research proposal, completing Institutional Review Board (IRB) training, and successfully submitting a proposal to the IRB. Emphasizes reflective discussions of research interests and experiences, planning, conceptual framework, proposed methodology, and data analysis. Includes interprofessional peer reviews throughout the course.
SLPD 611. Capstone Proposal Presentation & IRB. 3 Units.
A course that guides students in the creation of an oral presentation of their proposed research study, followed by their delivery of that proposal and the creation of an IRB application. Students will receive feedback from faculty to strengthen and support their research plan and complete Institutional Review Board (IRB) training. By the end of the course students will successfully submit their proposal to the IRB.
Prerequisite: SLPD 621.
SLPD 621. Capstone Planning. 3 Units.
Instructs students in how to design their capstone project with guidance from the primary course instructor. Emphasizes identification of a focus area, objectives, goals, outcomes, on-site mentor, faculty mentor, and time frame.
SLPD 622. Capstone Proposal. 2 Units.
Provides framework for developing and submitting a proposal to the student's research advisor(s) for final approval.
Prerequisite: SLPD 621.
SLPD 623. Capstone II. 3 Units.
Continues the capstone project, requiring students to complete a needs assessment and program development. Provides information in data collection, data management techniques, and introduction to various data analysis strategies.
Prerequisite: SLPD 622.
SLPD 624. Capstone III. 3 Units.
Continues with remaining data collection and beginning data analyses for capstone project.
Prerequisite: SLPD 600, 610, 621, 622, 623.
SLPD 625. Capstone IV. 3 Units.
Requires final implementation of aspects of the capstone. Requires student to prepare a manuscript and participate in online critical discussions with classmates.
Prerequisite: SLPD 623.
SLPD 626. Dissemination of Research. 1-3 Units.
A culmination course in which students complete their manuscript and perform an oral presentation for their completed research project. Prerequisites: SLPD 600, 610, 621, 622, 623, 624, 625.
SLPD 627. Dissemination of Research. 0 Units.
A culmination course in which students complete their manuscript and perform an oral presentation of their completed research project. If approved by the program director, Dissemination of Research (SLPD627) may be enrolled in and repeated for 0 units. Grade received does not indicate completed Capstone research project nor completed final oral presentation.
Prerequisite: SLPD 600, 610, 621, 622, 623, 624, 625, 626.
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