Education in AAC
What courses in AAC are offered at the graduate level?
At the graduate level, the goal is to develop the competencies required of speech language
pathologists and other related professionals to provide high quality services to individuals who
require AAC and their families.
There are four graduate courses designed to meet this goal:
- CMDIS 551: Assessment and Intervention in AAC
- CMDIS 597A: Research and Clinical Issues in AAC
- CMDIS 597B: Lab in AAC Technologies
- CMDIS 596: Independent Study - Research in AAC
- Clinical experiences in AAC
These courses are open to all graduate students in the Department of Communication Disorders and to
graduate students from other departments with permission of the instructor.
CMDIS 551: Assessment and Intervention in AAC
This course is required of all graduate students in Communication Disorders, and strives to
provide students with the following; an understanding of current applications of augmentative
and alternative communication, a framework from which to critically evaluate AAC systems, and
knowledge and skills in consumer-responsive approaches to assessment and intervention of people
who benefit from the use of AAC. Students have the opportunity to learn through hands-on lab
experiences and written assignments designed to develop knowledge in AAC.
CMDIS 597A: Research and Clinical Issues in AAC
This graduate level course is a seminar focused on current topics in AAC that are pertinent to
the field, and of particular interest to the students. Students attend each class prepared to
discuss the assigned readings and ready to share their interpretation and critical analysis with
their peers. The topics vary from year to year, depending on current student interests. Students
contract individually to complete two assignments addressing a different topic in AAC. Sample
topics from prior years include:
- Infants and preschoolers who require AAC
- Individuals with autism who require AAC
- Individuals with challenging behaviors
- Inclusion of individuals who require AAC/promoting self-determination
- Literacy development by individuals who require AAC
- Rural service delivery for individuals who require AAC
- Service delivery to individuals who require AAC from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds
CMDIS 597B: Lab in AAC Technologies
This course provides students with an intensive "hands-on" experience regarding a wide range of
AAC technology. At the conclusion of thecourse, students are able to demonstrate proficiency
operating and programming a wide range of AAC technology through critical evaluation of the
strengths and weaknesses of the systems as well as through customization. Additionally, students
have the opportunity to discuss topics related to assistive technology, and to work in teams to
problem solve and identify potential solutions for individuals who use AAC.
CMDIS 596: Independent Study - Research in AAC
Graduate students have the opportunity to participate in research projects designed to improve
the outcomes for individuals who require AAC. Students work on research teams under the
supervision of a faculty member. They assist with reviewing the literature, collecting data, and
analyzing results. There are frequent opportunities to be involved in presentations at local,
national, and international conferences, and occasional opportunities to be involved in assisting
in writing journal articles and book chapters. For further information about AAC research projects
at Penn State, click here.
Additional opportunities in an independent study include a readings course. The student, in
conjunction with a faculty member, will go through a personal exploration of topics in AAC.
Clinical Experiences in AAC
The Penn State Speech and Hearing Clinic offers assessment and intervention in AAC for
individuals with significant communication impairments. Graduate students in the Department of
Communication Disorders have the opportunity to be involved in providing direct services to
individuals who require AAC, in conjunction with family members, significant others, and other
professionals. For more information about AAC services available in the Penn State Speech and
Hearing Clinic, click here.
In addition to these graduate courses in AAC, the Department of Communication Disorders at Penn
State offers many other graduate courses on topics related to speech, language, and hearing
disabilities. These courses lead toward completion of a Masters degree in Communication Disorders
and prepare the student for certification as a speech language pathologist by the American Speech
Language Hearing Association (ASHA). For further information on graduate course offerings and the
Masters program in speech language pathology at Penn State, click here. For a quick overview of the graduate program in Communication
Disorders at Penn State, click
here.
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