Speech-Language Therapy

Abstract

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  Profile of the study programme

  Fribourg is the only university in German-speaking Switzerland to offer a bachelor's degree course in speech and language therapy. The modular training programme consists of three years of full-time study. The language of tuition is German. Students acquire in–depth scientific and practical competences which qualify them for later careers in educational and/or clinical settings.
  In keeping with the interdisciplinary nature of the speech and language therapy as a subdiscipline of special education, students at the University of Fribourg receive a sound basic knowledge during the first five semesters in the areas of special education, linguistics, medicine and psychology, which specifically underpins and complements the expert knowledge in the field of speech and language pathology. Besides theoretical training, which consists of written assignments (including a bachelor's thesis) on speech and language therapy topics, there are also practical courses and four study-integrated placements from the second year onwards. This combination of theory and practice culminates in a case report. In the sixth semester, the comprehensive practice-related training concludes with a full-time 18-week placement (with a case report) and a practical exam.

  Fribourg profile
  The programme of speech and language therapy in Fribourg has a good national and international reputation, particularly attributable to consistent interlinking of subject-specific and practical training content. Studies provide graduates with a professional qualification, and are firmly anchored in the university infrastructure. This facilitates the integration of current theoretical and empirical findings from relevant related sciences into speech and language therapy studies and promotes cooperation between researchers and teaching staff from disciplines such as speech and language pathology, special education, linguistics and psychology.
  In addition to gaining a scientific grounding in the subject, a diverse spectrum of teaching and learning methods further enhance the high quality of the well-designed speech and language therapy curriculum. Classical study elements such as lectures and seminars are complemented by target-specific courses. These are designed to give prospective speech and language therapists effective support, and help them improve their reflective and critical thinking, communication, organisational and specific practical skills (self-awareness courses, placements, case reports, supervision) as well as the ability to take the initiative. A well-established tutorial system assures students of individual care and support on their path to the successful completion of their degree studies.

  Learning outcomes and career openings
  The academic diploma in speech and language therapy provides graduates with a professional qualification which entitles them to assess and diagnose disorders of communication, language, speech, fluency, voice, swallowing and written language in children, adolescents and adults. It further qualifies them to plan, carry out and evaluate therapeutic, supportive and counselling interventions for persons with communication impairments.
  The university diploma, which is recognised by the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK), opens up a wide range of career options in the area of educational and/or clinical speech and language pathology. Apart from genuine speech and language therapy activities in fields such as early education, mainstream school (outpatient centre), special schools, hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, or private practice, speech and language therapists can also be involved in the practical training of students (placement supervision) after acquiring a minimum of two years' professional experience.
  The university diploma in speech and language therapy (bachelor) is the formal admission requirement for continued academic study (master) in special education, speech and language therapy/logopaedics, or in the neighbouring disciplines of speech and language therapy, such as linguistics or education (in Switzerland and abroad).

Studies organisation

Structure of studies

Curriculum

Admission