Speech Therapy and Audiology

Program Overview

The program provides an opportunity for students to gain a B.Sc. in Speech therapy and audiology that will meet the demands of related national employment fields. The BSc program will be a nationally recognized degree,

The program aims to prepare students for the diverse landscape of practice. This includes developing capabilities to work with a variety of people (including all ages, genders and ethnicities) with communication and swallowing disorders.

The program facilitates preparation of competent therapists, eligible to apply for registration with the Ministry of Health. It develops academic capabilities, specifically to develop students’ appreciation of theoretical concepts and evidence within the speech therapy arena, so that students are able to critically reflect upon, evaluate and make decisions within practice.

The program will equip students with the skills to critically review, evaluate and apply theoretical knowledge to a range of occupational therapy practice scenarios and settings. Students will be able to consolidate theory and practice skills which are transferable to a range of situations. This will be supported by critical evaluation of relevant scholarly material and research and students are expected to adopt responsibility for your academic decisions.

The program promotes the capacity for and commitment to lifelong learning, so that students’ enhanced academic knowledge and skills are constructively used to progress their own career, the speech therapy profession and evolving areas of practice in health and social care.

Program Objectives

The overall objective of Speech therapy and audiology is to optimize individuals’ abilities to communicate and to swallow, thereby improving quality of life. As the population of Palestine continues to grow and become increasingly diverse, Speech therapists and audiologists are committed to the provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate services and to the consideration of diversity in scientific investigations of human communication and swallowing.

A Speech therapy and audiology therapist engage in professional practice in the areas of communication and swallowing across the lifespan of a human being. Communication and swallowing are broad terms encompassing many facets of function. Communication includes speech production and fluency, language, cognition, voice, resonance, and hearing. Swallowing includes all aspects of swallowing, including related feeding behaviors.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

Students will acquire the knowledge of biological and physical sciences in the field, to be able to diagnose and treat accordingly.
Students will achieve a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology of speech and audiology disorders.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of the principles of management of health care services.
Students will study evidence-based research and this knowledge will inspire them to conduct research that will benefit the advancement of the field.

Skills

Students will be clinical competent in the assessment and management of speech and hearing disorders.
Students will demonstrate clinical competency when providing quality interventions to clients.
Students will demonstrate the ability to establish and sustain therapeutic partnerships with clients and their families.
Students will demonstrate competency skills in retrieving evidence to support professional practice, and in critical appraisal with a practical application.
Students will demonstrate clinical competency in setting goals, planning and documenting communication and swallowing interventions in cooperation with clients, families and caregivers.
Students will demonstrate clinical competency in teaching skills (alternative ways of performing activities, use of adaptive equipment and technology) to clients, families and caregivers.

Attitudes

For students to develop attitudes to fully understand and counteract societal stigmatization around disabilities and enable them to strategize on structuring constructive support of families.
To practice the ethical and moral obligations of professionals in the field to execute their responsibilities to the fullest.
For students to serve and improve their communities by becoming proficient leaders in this field through understanding the individualized needs of their patients.
Students will develop and evaluate a personal philosophy for serving clients based on the program philosophy through the process of reflective practice.

Career Opportunities

A graduate of the program enjoys diverse career opportunities across various fields aimed at improving individuals’ communication, auditory, and language abilities. Potential areas of employment include:

Healthcare

Working in hospitals and health clinics to provide treatment for patients with hearing or speech disorders.
Serving in rehabilitation centers for individuals affected by strokes, brain injuries, or speech and hearing impairments.
Offering speech therapy services for children and adults suffering from disorders such as stuttering or language delays.

Education

Working in schools and educational centers to support children with special needs who experience speech or hearing difficulties.
Developing training programs for teachers on how to effectively support students with speech and hearing challenges.

Rehabilitation Centers

Working in disability rehabilitation centers to help individuals improve their communication abilities.
Providing diagnostic and rehabilitative services for individuals with hearing loss or speech and language disorders.

Private Sector

Opening a private clinic to provide speech and hearing therapy services.
Offering consultations for families with children experiencing speech delays or auditory disorders.

Scientific Research

Engaging in research centers focused on speech, language, and hearing to develop new therapeutic strategies.
Contributing to the development of technological devices and software to assist individuals with hearing difficulties.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

Working with organizations that provide rehabilitation and support services for people with disabilities.
Implementing awareness programs in communities to promote early detection of speech and hearing disorders.

Technology Industries

Collaborating with hearing aid manufacturers to develop modern devices and technologies.
Consulting for companies in the design of applications and programs aimed at improving communication abilities.

Academic Sector

Working as a lecturer or professor at universities and colleges to teach speech and hearing therapy disciplines.
Supervising student clinical training and practicum.
Overseeing graduation projects and academic research.

Legal Consultancy

Working as an expert consultant in disability-related legal cases involving speech or hearing impairments by providing professional reports and testimony in court.

These fields offer numerous opportunities for graduates to deliver valuable services while continuing to develop their skills through ongoing training, conferences, and specialized workshops.