The Portland State University (PSU) Bilingual Spanish-English Speech-Language Pathology Concentration within the PSU Speech and Hearing Sciences (SPHR) graduate program offers a rigorous, advanced specialty training for Spanish-speaking graduate students interested in a career as a bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). This program provides graduates with a competitive edge in seeking positions for SLP job opportunities in a variety of clinical settings with both adult and pediatric populations. The PSU Bilingual Spanish-English SLP Concentration provides training opportunities that include specialized Spanish-English assessment and treatment of bilingual clients in-person and via telepractice.
PSU Bilingual SLP Concentration graduate students are automatically accepted in the Ecuador Abroad for SLPs international education opportunity. The Ecuador program occurs during the summer term.
Bilingual Concentration Requirements and Application
Entrance Requirements
- Acceptance in the PSU Speech and Hearing Sciences Master’s Degree Program
- Application for the Graduate Bilingual Concentration
- Academic coursework relevant to work with multilingual populations. To be approved by appropriate faculty Typically completed prior to entrance, but can be completed simultaneous with the master’s program
Spanish Language Requirements
Demonstrated Spanish language proficiency through:
- Language experiences (immersion or home language)
- Transcript review
- Graduate bilingual clinical rotations
- Online evaluation (cost for 2024 cohort: $90)
Academic Requirements
- Courses:
- Bilingual Topics (2 credits)
- Advanced Speech Assessment and Intervention (2 credits)
- Advanced Language Assessment and Intervention (2 credits)
- Multicultural Topics
- Culminating experience on an approved topic related to bilingualism
- Research paper on bilingualism
Clinical Requirements
Two practicum sites and approximately 125 practicum hours in settings with Spanish-speaking individuals (out of the total 400 hours required). The two practicum sites may include:
- PSU Bilingual Clinic
- Intensive Ecuador Clinic (in Quito, Ecuador as part of the SLPs in Ecuador Program)
- Bilingual Externship
General Requirements
Quarterly meetings with Bilingual Concentration faculty on the following topics:
- Why are bilingual experts needed in speech-language pathology?
- Advocacy for bilingual speech-language pathologists
- A day in the life of a bilingual speech-language pathologist
- Reflections on bilingual clinical experiences
- Marketing yourself as a bilingual speech-language pathologist
- Bilingual assessment considerations
- Master's project showcase for the Bilingual Concentration students
For more information contact:
Claudia Meyer, Director of Clinical Education at meyerc@pdx.edu