About
Holder of the graduate study of Speech and Language Pathology: University of Zagreb Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences
Executors of the graduate study of Speech and Language Pathology:
Head of the graduate study of Speech and Language Pathology: Prof. Mirjana Lenček, PhD
Duration of the study: two academic years or 4 semesters
ECTS: 120
Academic degree: Master of Speech and Language Pathology
The graduate study of Speech and Language Pathology has been taught since the academic year of 2008/2009.
The Ministry of Science, Education and Sport of the Republic of Croatia issued the accreditation for conducting this programme on June 18, 2004, and the license on June 2, 2005 and on August 22, 2006. Since the academic year of 2010/2011 it is taught according to the updated programme.
The Speech and Language Pathology is a science engaged in prevention, detecting, diagnostics, and treatment of disorders in human communication which implies all those processes and functions linked with speech production, and with the perception and production of oral and written language, as well as forms of non-verbal communication (definition by the Standing Liaison Committee of EU Speech and Language Therapists - CPLOL).
Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences does not offer full degree study programme of Speech and Language Pathology in English language.
Knowledge
The study of Speech and Language Pathology includes fundamental theoretical knowledge of:
- Fundamental speech and language pathology disciplines such as:
aphasia, dysarthria, dyspraxia, communication disorders, developmental speech-language disorders, voice disorders, speech fluency disorders, feeding and swallowing disorders, dyslexia, disorders caused by cerebral palsy, hearing impairments, and complex disorders; - Auxiliary disciplines such as: biomedical sciences, sciences of language, and behavioural sciences
- Research methods
The Speech and Language Pathologist is an independent expert and his/her activities are focused on the field of prevention, evaluation, and intervention in cases of disorders of human communication, their treatment, and scientific research (definition by the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics - IALP: Guidelines for initial education in logopedics, 1993). The Speech and Language Pathologists is qualified for the work in prevention, diagnostics, and rehabilitation of verbal and non-verbal communication disorders of persons with developmental difficulties (intellectual difficulties, cerebral palsy, motoric and chronic diseases, blindness, partial sightedness, autism), and for selection and development of supporting and AAC systems.
Speech and Language Pathologists work in:
- health protection system (hearing and speech rehabilitation centres, pediatric, otolaryngologic, neurologic, psychiatric, audiology and phoniatry clinics, mental health institutions and counselling centres),
- field of education (as expert associates in preschool institutions, primary schools, education centres),
- social welfare system (children’s' homes, geriatric institutions),
- special institutions (rehabilitation centres and institutions),
- scientific-research institutions (research centres, faculties),
- non-governmental organizations, and (7) private practice.
The student has to pass all compulsory and elective courses, complete the obligatory practical work in elected institutions, write a thesis under Mentor's guidance which can be a research or overview and should have between 40 and 50 pages. The thesis is defended before a threemember commission.
Competences
The holder of this qualification is authorized to perform expert tasks in the field of his/her academic degree. Upon the completion of the graduate study of Speech and Language Pathology, the speech and language pathologist becomes an independent expert engaged in prevention, evaluation, diagnostics, intervention treatment, and research in the field of speech-language pathology and hearing impairments, i.e. disorders in communication of all age groups regardless of the cause of impairments.
He/she scientifically studies the human communication and pathological aberrations in communication processes (which relate to understanding and production of oral and written language, and adequate forms of non-verbal communication).
The work of the speech-language pathologist in the rehabilitation process includes the following:
- language disorders
- articulation disorders
- speech disorders
- voice disorders
- speech fluency disorders
- aphasias and other neurological language disorders (dysarthria, apraxia)
- written language disorders (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia)
- learning of speech by deaf children
- speech therapy for persons with hearing impairments
- therapy for feeding and swallowing disorders
- therapy for disorders caused by d Eustachian tube related to aging