Choosing an area of Focus

[queenleblanc]

Okay ... more discussion!  

 

Several MA/MS programs give you an option to choose electives or even designate an area of focus - some even have additional certifications as options (bilingual, etc.).  If you are considering this option, or have already chosen an area of focus.... what are you choosing, and why?  

 

 

[SLPjmar]

My area of focus will (hopefully) be aural rehab/auditory verbal therapy/cochlear implants.

 

I was inspired in high school by my ASL teacher (also an SLP) who worked with cochlear implant patients. I know for sure after double-majoring in speech pathology/Deaf studies that this is what I want to do. 

 

[katieliz456]

I plan to do the pediatric focus. I know there are always job openings in school districts, and I think that'd be a really good career when I have a family of my own (same schedule as kids, summers off, good benefits/insurance).  However, I've also heard that in my geographic area, there is a huge shortage of SLPs who have experience with 0-12month old babies. If possible, I'd like to get experience with this population during grad school/CFY, and possibly work in a hospital or do contract work etc on top of a school district job

[kingspeech]

Voice! I find the anatomy and physiology of the larynx so fascinating, and all of the voice SLPs I've heard speak or teach are so secure in their knowledge and downright bossy when it comes to muscle tension dysphonia. I'm also interested in exploring research and eventually the PhD route, and most prof openings posted in the ASHA leader seem to have voice listed as a preferred area of expertise.

[Tuck]

The neural bases of language and neurogenics are my big area, because I love the brain stuff. At first I thought I just wanted to do the language aspect of that, but lately I'm thinking I'm also interested in motor speech disorders and voice. Fortunately for me, brains tie into everything in some way. I hope to refine my interest during grad school and to do a thesis.

[queenleblanc]

I will pipe in, since I asked originally. I am hoping to do research and focus on TBI, and more specifically the effects of dementia. I am out of field and still feel very lost- I have only taken the basic pre reqs this far, so my hope is to hone in on this during my masters program, and lead that into a PhD. I hope to also learn more about vocal therapy, and my experience as a music teacher will come in handy. So, I kind of have an idea... but still need to learn a lot more before I hit the point of establishing my thesis topic (which I hope to do!).

[chellinchen]

I'm very interested in neurogenic brain disorders & multilingualism.  I currently speak German, Turkish, French & Spanish - I'm learning Chinese & Somali.  Eventually I'd like to work with multilingual adults in a clinical setting - and I'm also interested in one day pursuing a PhD (I'd love to develop treatments, not just administer them).

 

And yes - brains!  I've been devouring anything & everything about brains & language / communication that I can find.

 

On a lesser scale, I'm really intrigued by the idea of using both speech & music therapy together, but I know I have to focus - I'm not sure whether or not I'll pursue this on top of everything above.