Acquired Communication Disorders MSc PG Certificate PG Diploma

Program Overview

This MSc program specializes in speech, language, and communication difficulties associated with conditions like aphasia and dysarthria. It provides advanced knowledge and skills to support individuals with acquired speech and language impairments. The program combines online and face-to-face instruction, offering part-time options for flexibility. Graduates gain expertise in evidence-based practice, research methods, and intervention strategies, preparing them for careers in healthcare, education, or further research.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This MSc program focuses on speech, language, and communication difficulties associated with conditions such as aphasia, dysarthria, dementia, and traumatic brain injury. It is designed to provide students with specialist knowledge and skills to support people with acquired speech, language, and communication difficulties. The program aims to equip students with the latest research into acquired communication disorders, the most up-to-date assessment methods and interventions, and how to use evidence to inform their practice. It covers impairment-focused approaches to analyzing acquired communication disorders, topics in neuropsychology and psycholinguistics, as well as functional approaches and the influence of social factors. The program is aimed at speech and language therapists or pathologists, as well as linguists, psychologists, and other related professionals, such as those working with adults with acquired disorders.

Outline:

The program is taught both online, by distance learning, and via face-to-face lectures delivered in one and two-day study blocks. Students can attend in person or access learning online. The program offers a range of part-time options to accommodate students' other commitments.

Core Modules:

• Acquired Language Disorders: Analysis and Intervention: This module explores the nature of acquired language disorders, including aphasia, traumatic brain injury, and dementia, from various analytic perspectives, including neuropsychological, psycholinguistic, psychosocial, and socio-interactional.
• Acquired Speech Disorders: Analysis and Intervention: This module covers acquired speech disorders, primarily dysarthria (motor speech disorder), but also includes other types of disorder, such as dyspraxia (motor planning disorder).
It discusses a range of approaches to the analysis of, and intervention for, these disorders, including neurophysiological and functional approaches. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is also covered.
• Methods in Clinical Linguistics: This module provides a grounding in methods relevant to the linguistic study of communication disorders.
It covers topics such as clinical phonetics and linguistics, analyzing atypical speech, and analyzing atypical language.
• Research Methods in Human Communication A: This module develops students' knowledge, understanding, and skills of the range of research methodologies used in human communication sciences, education, and health.
• Research Methods in Human Communication B: This module expands students' knowledge, understanding, and skills of the range of research methodologies used in human communication sciences, education, and health.
• Dissertation: MSc students are required to design, implement, and write up a research project under the guidance of their academic supervisor.

Optional Modules:

• Communication Diversity & Difficulties: A: This module allows students to select up to three topics in the field of children's language and communication for more detailed study.

Assessment:

Students are assessed through written assignments. MSc students are also assessed through a dissertation.

Teaching:

The course is mostly taught online. They include lectures, tutorials, and practical workshops and are held over one to three days. Attendance at study blocks is normally compulsory. Full-time students can also attend other lectures, seminars, and practical workshops offered by the School of Allied Health Professions, Nursing, and Midwifery.

Careers:

Graduates leave this course with knowledge and skills that can help them develop their career in the NHS or private sector, or specialize as a speech and language therapist. It’s also great preparation for a PhD.

Other:

The content of the courses is reviewed annually to ensure it is up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn in response to discoveries through research, funding changes, professional accreditation requirements, student or employer feedback, outcomes of reviews, and variations in staff or student numbers.

The course fee for full-time Overseas applicants is below. If however you apply for the part-time distance learning MSc you pay the annual Home fee (listed below) over two or three years, depending on the length of the course you chose. Home (2024 annual fee) : £10,710 Overseas (2024 annual fee) : £29,700