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The University of New Mexico

Bilingual Speech Language Pathology

 Bilingual_ClipArt
Bilingual Concentration
 

Introduction to the Bilingual Concentration

The Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences (SHS) is proud to offer a concentration in Bilingual Speech-Language Pathology. This concentration is open to master’s-level students, but students can begin working toward it at the undergraduate level. The Bilingual Concentration is designed to equip students to effectively serve bilingual individuals and families across diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. The concentration is open to both bilingual students and monolingual students who are interested in bilingualism and multicultural service delivery. Through specialized coursework and applied learning experiences, students develop knowledge and skills in bilingual assessment, intervention, and culturally responsive clinical practice. The concentration also promotes professional growth by providing opportunities to engage in research, scholarship, and portfolio development that demonstrate expertise in bilingual service delivery.

 Aims of the Bilingual Concentration

  • Develop specialized knowledge and skills in bilingual assessment and intervention.
  • Strengthen understanding of cultural, linguistic, and sociocultural factors that influence communication disorders.
  • Prepare students to provide culturally responsive and evidence-based services to bilingual clients and their families.
  • Foster critical thinking through research, scholarship, and applied experiences related to bilingual populations.
  • Encourage collaboration and effective communication with individuals and families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
  • Enhance professional competitiveness by developing expertise in bilingual service delivery.

 Requirements of the Bilingual Concentration

To complete the Bilingual Concentration, students must meet two minimum requirements:

  1. Coursework. This includes completing three courses, generally SHS 561, SHS 562, and SHS 520. Those who took 459 should schedule an independent study with one of the concentration coordinators. Other courses may be approved on an individual basis.
  2. Bilingual Concentration Portfolio. The portfolio has two required components:

Part 1: Professional Personal Statement. Write one paragraph of approximately 100-150 words describing the knowledge and skills you have developed through the Bilingual Concentration. The goal is to create a professional statement that you can later adapt for your CV, resume, or job applications. Your paragraph should describe the knowledge and skills you developed through the Bilingual Concentration. Highlight specific strengths, such as working with bilingual clients and families and providing culturally responsive assessment and intervention.

 Part 2: Poster Presentation. Complete a poster presentation based on work you have completed during the Bilingual Concentration. This poster presentation serves as an alternative to completing the exam requirement. The poster can be a traditional physical poster or a web-based poster. Students will present their posters during a poster session with other students completing the Bilingual Concentration. The poster should be based on a final project or research experience completed as part of SHS 520, SHS 561, Project MESA, or another similar research experience. For example, your ASHA leader project could be adapted into a poster presentation.

Although no clock hours are required, students are encouraged to obtain clock hours with bilingual populations through clinical rotations.

 Coordinating Team of the Bilingual Concentration

Bilingual Concentration