Masters Degrees (Dysphagia)

This one year part-time course offers qualified speech and language therapists who already have a license to practise an opportunity to develop specialist skills in all aspects of dysphagia (swallowing disorders) in both adult and paediatric populations. Classes are timetabled to facilitate speech and language therapists in employment and overseas students.

The course comprises core modules on dysphagia incorporating basic research methods, evidence based practice, counselling, therapy processes and reflective practice. Students must also complete 80 hours of clinical practice. Those students who have not completed a qualifying course in dysphagia must complete an additional one week introductory course and undertake a minimum of 40 hours supervised clinical work in dysphagia (with experienced supervisors to be recognised by the Department). Students are expected to organise these clinical hours prior to registration on the course. Students should ensure that proposed supervisors have been agreed with the department.

Please note, this programme may not be offered unless a minimum of five applications are received.

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The aims of the course are to provide qualified speech and language therapists with opportunities to advance their academic knowledge and professional practice skills with specific clinical populations. These courses provide additional specialist qualifications to qualified speech and language therapists and do not serve as initial qualifications to practise as a speech and language therapist. The two year part time M.Sc. course takes place during twelve 5-day weeks spread over a 2 year period. There is an opportunity for students taking the Dysphagia specialist strand to do a one-year full time course. This course takes place during twelve 5-day weeks spread over one year. All students must attend Trinity College for these teaching weeks. Additional assignments and clinical work must be completed outside of these weeks. . During the M.Sc. course, students must complete a minimum of 80 hours clinical work in the chosen specialist area. Students who take the dysphagia specialist strand and who have not completed a qualifying course in dysphagia will have to complete an additional intensive week of study. These students must have at least 40 of the required 80 clinical hours supervised by speech and language therapists recognised by the Department. Students should organise their own clinical work prior to commencing the course but must ensure that, where supervision is required, proposed supervisors have been agreed with the department. For the part time M.Sc course, core and specialist modules are taught during Year 1; research project and dissertation are the main focus in Year 2. For full time students core modules and a dissertation are completed in one year. Classes are timetabled to facilitate clinicians in employment and overseas students.

Specialist Strands offered for 2014/2015

Acquired Communication Disorders- Dysphagia *- Developmental Communication Disorders- Fluency- Voice- Augmentative and Alternative Communication- Communication Disorders and Adult Mental Health

Each specialist strand will only run if a minimum of five students registers for that strand.

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Further entry requirements:   International applicants should be aware that full registration with the RCSLT entails completion of a probationary period of clinical practice in the UK after the successful completion of the degree. It may be necessary to confirm with the professional body in your home country that this qualification is recognised and that full registration in the UK will entitle you to practice in your home country.

This course is for people with a relevant degree seeking to refocus their studies into the area of speech and language therapy. It will enable you to register with the Health and Care Professions Council and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) to practise as a speech and language therapist in the UK.

As a speech and language therapist, you will assess, diagnose and treat children and adults with a wide range of communication difficulties. This will include developmental disorders and speech and language problems resulting from injury, stroke and disease. You will also develop strong practical skills as well as a sound understanding of the theory of speech and language therapy.

There is a major clinical studies (ie placement) element to this course and clinical work is underpinned by modules in linguistics, psychology and biological and medical sciences. Although every effort is made to arrange summer block placements to suit students’ circumstances, this is not always possible and students must be prepared to be flexible about placement location and timing. Students are responsible for any travel and/or accommodation costs incurred during placements.

Teaching, learning and assessment

Teaching will include a mix of lectures, tutorials, student-led seminars, clinical placement experience, case study analysis and individual project work. Emphasis will be placed on integrating clinical and university based learning opportunities and on independent study. Your performance will be assessed by a combination of course work including essays, reports, presentations, vivas and examinations, as well as clinical practical assessments.

Teaching hours and attendance

Each module which you study on campus will require you to attend classes and carry out independent work. Your attendance at placement is compulsory and your attendance at QMU-based modules is expected. Classes will be spread over the whole week, except for placement days when you will be off campus. This is a full-time course, with the expectation that classes, independent study and placement together require 35 - 40 hours of dedicated time each week.

Links with industry/professional bodies

The course provides graduates, including those who complete the PgDip, with eligibility to register with the Royal College of Speech and  Language Therapists and the Health and Care Professions Council to practice in the UK.

Modules

Foundations for Speech and Language Therapy/ Linguistics 1: Introduction to Linguistics/ Neurology for SLT and Audiology/ Adult Acquired Language and Cognitive Communication Disorders/ Linguistics 2: Clinical Linguistics/ Disorders of Speech and Fluency/ Manual Handling/ Dysphagia (Developmental and Acquired)/ Within-Semester Clinical Placement 1/ Professional Practice for SLT 1/ Biological and behavioural Science for SLT: Typical Processes/ Developmental Disorders of Language and Communication/ Intellectual Disability, Physical and Sensory Impairment/ Linguistics 3: Linguistic Processing and Variation/ Within-Semester Clinical Placement 2/ Motor Speech Disorder, Voice Disorder, Cleft Lip and Palate/ Clinical Contexts/ Within-Semester Clinical Placement 3/ Professional Practice 2/ Research Methods

If studying for the MSc, you will also complete a dissertation (60 credits).

Careers

Most graduates work within the NHS in community clinics, schools and hospitals. Some graduates have gained research posts and some have gone on to achieve higher degrees. Some graduate Speech and language therapists may wish to seek employment outside the UK. For further information about how and where this qualification can be used outside of the UK please contact the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Quick Facts

• The diploma course is the only postgraduate pre-registration course of its kind in Scotland. 
• This course is the only one in the UK whereby speech and language therapists and audiologists are in the same department. 
• Both these awards qualify you to register to work as a speech and language therapist in the UK.

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The Division of Language and Communication Science in City’s School of Health has an established reputation for teaching and research excellence. Join the MSc Speech and Language Therapy course and join a profession that makes a real difference to people’s lives.

Students starting PG Dip courses in September 2017 will receive a NHS Tuition Fee Bursary to cover the full tuition fees for the duration of their course.

Who is it for?

Our graduate-entry courses allow graduates with a first degree from disciplines other than healthcare to gain a pre-registration health qualification in two years as opposed to the usual three to four - providing a fast-track route into health.

The MSc in Speech and Language Therapy is designed for students who are committed to a career in speech and language therapy. You will need to have:
-Good listening and communication skills
-Good problem-solving skills
-Good organisational skills
-An ability to learn a range of academic subjects and to apply your learning to clinical practice
-An enthusiasm for working with children and adults and as part of a team.

Objectives

The MSc Speech and Language Therapy course leads to work in a challenging and varied field - you could be working with autistic children, people who stammer or adults who have lost their speech following a stroke.

City's MSc Speech and Language Therapy has an excellent reputation and is based within the largest, teaching, research and clinical division in the UK for language and communication science.

The programme is taught by expert staff who are leaders in the field of speech and language therapy. The innovative and research-informed curriculum is supported by a busy in-house speech and language therapy clinic led by specialist staff and is considered as one of the leading educational environments in the world.

At City we have close links with speech and language therapy services throughout London, with many practitioners from these services acting as clinical tutors on our courses.

Placements

The MSc Speech and Language Therapy course provides many opportunities for clinical practice, including attendance at health centres, schools, departmental clinics, special educational settings and hospitals throughout the London area.

Academic facilities

Speech and language therapy students have access to specialist labs and equipment such as ultrasound and laryngographs to help them understand speech production and audiological equipment when learning about hearing and deafness.

The Roberta Williams Speech and Language Therapy Centre, opened in January 2016, is our specialist speech and language therapy clinic. The Centre contains state-of-the-art equipment to enable staff within the Division of Language and Communication Science to deliver cutting edge research and services to patients.

Moodle is an enhanced Virtual Learning Environment which provides students with access to online course materials, resources, interactive activities, assessment and communication tools and is a key element of our blended learning approach, combining face-to-face teaching with online activity.

Teaching and learning

The MSc in Speech and Language Therapy is a very intensive programme which requires full time study by attending lectures, small-group problem-solving sessions, practical classes and tutorials. You will also have access to the most up-to-date equipment in the Speech Acoustics Laboratory and innovative online learning materials. On clinical placements you will benefit from the supervision of a qualified therapist.

Modules are assessed through a diverse range of assignments and examinations. Your clinical progress will also be monitored by supervising clinicians.

Modules

During the MSc Speech and Language Therapy course you will learn about the foundations of speech and language, about how children learn to talk and about disorders that affect communication. A number of subjects equip you for the analysis of speech, language and hearing difficulties, such as phonetics, linguistics and audiology. You will also develop research skills and the ability to apply evidence based practice. You will undertake weekly and block clinical placements in both years of the course.

Modules
-Articulatory Phonetics, Phonology and Speech Development
-Bio-medical Sciences
-Life Span Psychology and Research Methods
-Speech Disorders, Dysfluency and Augmentative and Alternative
-Dysphagia, Voice, Motor Speech Disorders, Dementia
-Language Sciences: Linguistics and Language Development
-Professional Studies A
-Evidence Based Practice and Data Analysis
-Acoustic Phonetics, Audiology and Deafness
-Acquired and Developmental Language Disorders
-Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disability, Child Mental Health, Cerebral Palsy, Cleft Palate
-Professional Studies B
-Research Project

When you have successfully completed 13 modules totalling 240 credits you will qualify for an MSc Speech and Language Therapy.

Career prospects

On successfully completing the MSc Speech and Language Therapy you are eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and practise as a speech and language therapist in the NHS and other settings.

A career in speech and language therapy offers opportunities to work with clients of all ages in settings such as:
-Health centres
-Hospitals
-Schools
-Charities
-Universities
-You can also work abroad and in the private sector.

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This multidisciplinary programme is aimed at professionals already working in child or adult services in health, education or social care in the UK and overseas who have an interest in developing research expertise and who have a motivation to carry out research in their workplace or a linked setting.

Degree information

Students will gain knowledge and skills in applied research related to the client groups with whom they work. Key topic areas include qualitative and quantitative methods related to communication disorders research, and planning, implementing and managing research. Students undertaking the MRes will conduct a supervised research project in their area of professional interest.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

Both the MRes and the PG Cert include three compulsory (core) modules (45 credits) and one optional module (15 credits). The MRes also includes a research project (120 credits).

On the Postgraduate Certificate students take four modules (60 credits). This can be full-time over 15 weeks or flexible study over a period of up to two years.

Core modules:
-Research Evidence and Design I
-Research Evidence and Design II
-Research in Practice

Optional module
-Students may choose any 15-credit module from Language Sciences or from the Institute of Health Informatics.

Dissertation/report
MRes students undertake a research project in the area of human communication disorders, which culminates in a dissertation of 8-10,000 words, a research impact plan and poster presentation.

Teaching and learning
The programme takes a strong experiential learning approach through the demonstration, exploration and application of new skills. The programme also utilises significant online learning resources which allow learning outside normal classroom hours. These are combined with lectures, and small-group working. Assessment is through written reports, presentations, and the research dissertation.

Careers

Now, more than ever before, continuing professional development (CPD) is linked to career progression. Gaining a PG Cert or an MRes in Applied Research in Human Communication Disorders will undoubtedly enhance your career opportunities within child and adult support services, and could act as a springboard to further research including study at doctoral level. In the long term, skills gained on this programme will place you in an exceptionally strong position to engage with research including contributing directly to research evidence.

Employability
Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) is of major importance for professionals working with vulnerable populations, and this programme is likely to enhance employability. For example, on completion you will be able to demonstrate a breadth of knowledge and a range of skills that relate directly to your professional career, including how to source appropriate literature, evaluate research conducted by others, select and conduct appropriate research designs, analyse data, and write a research report.

Why study this degree at UCL?

The Division of Psychology & Language Sciences undertakes world-leading research and teaching. Our work attracts staff and students from around the world. Together they create a vibrant and interactive environment, taking advantage of first-class resources.

Academic staff in the division have a wide range of expertise in research methods and the management of people with communication disorders. Areas of expertise include:
-Acquired Aphasia
-Acquired Apraxia of Speech
-Augmentative and Alternative Communication
-Autism Spectrum Disorder
-Children with Complex Special Needs
-Deafness/Cochlear Implant
-Dysphagia
-Dyslexia
-Developmental Language Disorders
-Progressive Neurological Conditions
-Speech Disorders in Children
-Specific Language Impairment
-Stammering
-Written Language Difficulties

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• Accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council and recognised by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Develop your communication, clinical and research skills within professional settings
• Focus on clinically related topics
• Apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council to work as a speech and language therapist upon graduation

What will you study?

Modules include:

• Advanced Professional Development
• Communication impairment 1, 2, 3
• Clinical phonetics & phonology
• Clinical Practice 1, 2
• Disorders of fluency
• Foundations of grammar
• Medicine 1, 2
• Multilingualism and Impairment Across the Lifespan
• Oropharangeal Dysphagia
• Personality and social psychology
• Phonetics and Phonology
• Research and Dissertation
• Typical and Atypical Development 1, 2

What career can you have?

Our MSc Speech and Language Therapy programme is recognised by The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council. Speech and language therapists work with adults and children with a range of communication and swallowing difficulties.

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Fostering critical reflection, specialist knowledge, and joint professional practice between school-based professionals supporting children with speech, language and communication needs.

Who is it for?

This course is suitable for school-based professionals who provide support for children with speech, language and communication needs.

It is designed for students looking to gain high level knowledge and analytical skills, share their professional experience and perspectives and access current research in their field.

Students will be aiming to raise their profile as a specialist and leader in speech, language and communication needs in the school setting.

Objectives

The MSc in Speech, Language and Communication Needs in Schools is jointly run by City, University of London and UCL Institute of Education. It brings together speech and language therapists, teachers and other graduate school-based practitioners for collaborative study. The programme is designed to enable students to:
-Understand and critically reflect on research and professional practice across both education and health.
-Develop high level knowledge of educational contexts and children’s language, social, emotional and behavioural development and needs.
-Enhance students’ understanding of research methods and skills.
-Complete a research project in a chosen area under expert supervision.
-Enjoy stimulation and fresh thinking in a community of fellow students, practitioners and research experts.
-Gain recognition as a specialist in the field.

Teaching and learning

Modules are facilitated by experienced clinicians, teachers and leading researchers, using a variety of direct and interactive methods. Some modules take place in large groups supplemented by small group discussion or laboratory sessions that provide hands-on experience of statistical analyses. Specialist modules take place in small groups combining lecturing with student-led discussion and workshop activities often drawing on participants' professional experiences. Moodle, the virtual learning environment at both institutions, provides an online platform for sharing module information and interactive learning. These methods support and are supported by self-directed study.

Assessments

Modules are assessed through a diverse range of assignments that may include essays, literature reviews, oral presentations, poster presentations, case studies, and data analyses. Assessments require critical evaluation of the research on key issues; selective application of theory and research to a particular setting, group or individual in the student's experience; understanding of research methods; and skills in statistical analysis.

Modules

The taught programme comprises:
-Four core modules
-Either one elective module worth 30 credits or two elective modules each worth 15 credits
-A research dissertation.

Teaching takes place in three 10-week terms: autumn, spring and summer. Students will normally take one module per term part-time or two modules per term full-time.

Each module runs over 3-5 whole days, 10 evenings or 10 half days. In addition, students will be expected to spend approximately half a day a week reading around the taught sessions, preparing for discussion, or completing short exercises. Students have up to one year to complete the research dissertation.

Core modules
-Concepts and Contexts of Special and Inclusive Education (30 credits)
-Social, Emotional and Behavioural Development (30 credits)
-Language Learning and Development (15 credits)
-Foundations of Research Methods and Applied Data Analysis (15 credits)

Elective modules - Elective modules are chosen from many available at both institutions and timing depends on module choice. Popular electives at UCL IOE include:
-Literacy Development (30 credits)
-Developmental Language Impairment (30 credits)
-Child and Adolescent Mental Health (30 credits)
-Reading and Spelling Difficulties (30 credits)
-Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia) (30 credits)
-Autism: Research and Practice (30 credits)

At City, University of London:
-Cognitive Communication Impairments (15 credits)
-Developmental Language Impairment (15 credits)
-Dysphagia and Disorders of Eating and Drinking (15 credits)
-Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Early Identification and Assessment (15 credits)
-Promoting Child and Adolescent Psychological Development (15 credits)

Career prospects

This MSc qualification raises graduates’ profile as a specialist and leader in speech, language and communication needs in the school setting. It is an advantage for teachers and clinicians seeking higher grade specialist and managerial posts.

Graduates are also eligible to apply for a research degree (MPhil/PhD) and some research posts.

Please note that this MSc does not lead to professional qualification as a speech and language therapist or teacher.

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A flexible, professionally orientated programme for speech and language therapists and other graduates seeking new knowledge and expertise about communication disorders and swallowing.

Who is it for?

The course is for qualified speech and language therapists seeking to gain specialist knowledge and high level research skills in their field. It is also suitable for other graduates with a background and special interest in children and adults with speech, language, communication and associated difficulties, including Deafness.

Objectives

The MSc programme is designed to:
-Stimulate you to think in new ways about disorders of language, communication and swallowing.
-Introduce you to new theoretical ideas and new approaches to clinical practice.
-Strengthen your knowledge of the evidence base for clinical work.
-Enhance your skills in critically appraising research evidence.
-Provide you with the skills and knowledge that you need to begin independent research.
-Students are taught in a dynamic and supportive atmosphere, which encourages participation and the exchange of ideas. The knowledge and skills that you will develop can be applied across different language and cultural contexts, making the programme highly suitable for home, EU or overseas students.

Academic facilities

Students on the MSc course have access to specialist labs, e.g. providing speech and hearing instrumentation, computing resources and the excellent Institution library facilities, including our subject specific librarian. The School of Health hosts a speech and language therapy clinic (The Roberta Williams Centre) which provides project opportunities for MSc students.

Teaching and learning

Most teaching and learning takes place in small groups, combining direct input from experts with student-led discussion and workshop activities. Large-group teaching in research methods is combined with small-group laboratory sessions. Our virtual learning environment, Moodle, provides a platform for sharing module information and interactive learning. These methods support and are supported by self-directed study.

Assignments include essays, portfolios, literature reviews, poster presentations, oral presentations, and data analyses. Some focus entirely on critical evaluation of research; others require you to apply a selected body of research to a given case, client group, or clinical setting.

Modules

To gain the MSc or a PG Dip you will study two core modules, three discipline-specific modules (or related to communication or swallowing), and two elective modules which may be discipline-specific or generic.

Most modules run in the Autumn and Spring terms. A typical 15 credit module involves between 25 and 30 hours of teaching, supplemented by extensive private study (at least 8 hours a week).

The research dissertation involves up to one year of independent data collection and study, supported by a supervisor.

To gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Speech Language and Communication you will be required to complete 3 or 4 modules totalling 60 credits. These must include at least two discipline specific modules in the area of Speech Language and Communication.

Core modules
-Introduction to research methods and applied data analysis (30 credits)
-Critical issues in advanced practice (15 credits)

Discipline Specific and Elective modules
-Acquired language impairments (15 credits)
-Case-based clinical management (15 credits)
-Cognitive communication impairments (15 credits)
-Developmental language impairment (15 credits)
-Dysphagia and disorders of eating and drinking (15 credits)
-Habilitative audiology (15 credits)
-Identity, Inclusion and Living with Disability
-Language learning and development (15 credits)
-Instrumental Techniques in Speech Sciences
-Developing Complex Interventions (15 credits)

Students can also choose modules from the School of Health Sciences' broader Continuing Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) portfolio.

Following successful completion of the taught component, students have up to one year to complete the dissertation.

Career prospects

Successful completion of the MSc fulfils the requirements for many higher-grade senior speech and language therapy posts, and for many EU and overseas clinical posts that require a masters level qualification. Students will also be eligible to apply for a research degree (MPhil/PhD) and for some research posts.

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