Department of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, NTUNHS

■ Overview

In order to meet Taiwan’s growing need in both long-term care and early intervention of communication disorders, the Undergraduate Program of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology at NTUNHS was approved and inaugurated in 2005.

Individuals that complete their training through this program and successfully pass the professional examinations are employed as Speech-Language Pathologists or Audiologists.

There is an on-campus Speech and Hearing Clinic with multiple therapy rooms and a wide range of instruments and materials. These, along with the University’s cross-disciplinary health care resources and expert personnel, help ensure the formation of high-quality professionals, teachers and researchers in the field of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

■ Misson

• Train students to be strong, entry-level Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists, and ensure professional certification, in order to serve persons with communication disorders.
• Improve both clinical efficacy and service delivery in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.
• Foster research potential and preparedness for graduate level studies in communication disorders.

■ Features

1. We provide preparatory coursework for the national examinations for“Speech-Language Pathologist" & "Audiologist".
2. We maintain a“Speech and Hearing Center" to provide in-house clinical training and research.
3. We provide access to a diverse range of research laboratories in communication disorders, including hearing, speech and voice, swallowing, language and cognition.
4. We provide international academic exchanges and technical cooperation.
5. We combine coursework with community service in speech, language and hearing resources.
6. We offer special coursework in Communication Disorders, cultivate special expertise in speech-language-hearing, and provide assessment and treatment services for special groups with hearing and speaking disorders.
7. We promote the "Assessment of Hearing Practice Ability", establish a standard process for hearing practice testing, and improve the quality of domestic hearing professional services.
8. We foster research potential among our students, help professionals prepare research-related applications, and actively seek out future research talent.

■ Study Period and Bachelor's Degree

The Department’s undergraduate curriculum is a four-year program, the duration for a bachelor’s degree is limited to four years, and the period of suspension is limited to two years.

In the third year, the curriculum separates by speciality. Students in Speech-Language Pathology take Speech-Language Pathology coursework, while students in Audiology take specialized clinical coursework in Audiology.

■ Prospects

■ Services

The professional competencies of Speech-Language Pathology graduates include:

1. The evaluation and treatment of swallowing disorders and related aerodigestive functions, including chronic cough and voice disorders.
2. The evaluation and treatment of speech disorders, including problems with articulation, prosody and stuttering.
3. The evaluation and treatment of language disorders, including problems with reading, writing, grammar and pragmatics, in children and adults.
4. The evaluation and treatment of communication disorders, including problems with social communication, emotional communication, and the use of communication aids.

The professional competencies of Audiology graduates include:

1. Hearing assessment and research in children and adults
2. Hearing aid or cochlear implant function evaluation, matching, and research
3. The professional ability and research in hearing ability creation and rehabilitation
4. Assessment and research of noise, hearing loss and hearing care