Vocology Certificate Curriculum

Course Objectives

SPHS/MUSI 5331 Speech Anatomy and Physiology

This online course addresses basic human communication and swallowing processes. The course includes both formative and summative assessments. After this course, students will be able to:

1. Describe anatomy and physiology of the vocal mechanism.
2. Describe respiration, phonation, resonance and articulation as related to modulation of voice.
3. Describe life span changes including pediatric development of the vocal mechanism and aging influences on respiration, phonation, resonance, and articulation.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of variables related to modulation of voice (e.g., acoustic, aerodynamic, perceptual).
5. Identify etiologies and describe characteristics of vocal pathologies (e.g., organic, functional, neurological).

SPHS/MUSI 5314 Speech and Voice Science

Speech production is a complex process involving several systems including the neural, respiratory, phonatory, resonatory, and articulatory systems in our body. This online course will deal with articulatory, phonatory, and resonatory science of speech production. Upon successful completion of all aspects of this course, students will be able to:

1. Recall the anatomy and physiology of the speech mechanism.
2. Recognize the relationship between various organs related to speech production.
3. Identify basic principles of physics relevant to speech production.
4. Express the physiological and acoustics aspects of speech production.
5. Express the ability to use technology (software and hardware) to assess specific functions in speech (respiration, phonation, resonance, and articulation) for both clinical and research work.

SPHS/MUSI 5217 Instrumental Voice Analysis (Prerequisites: SPHS/MUSI 5314 and 5331)

Voice evaluation is a process of using subjective and objective tools to evaluate the parameters involved in voice production. This online course will teach students about the parameters and measures of voice production that are critical to understand laryngeal function during speech and singing. Upon successful completion of all aspects of this course, students will be able to:

1. Identify the tools required for voice analysis.
2. Select the most appropriate instrument for the given vocal condition.
3. Operate the software/hardware to record and analyze voice.
4. Document the quantitative measures given by the method of analysis.
5. Correlate the measures to physiology of voice production.

SPHS/MUSI 5118 Auditory Perceptual Training (Prerequisites: SPHS/MUSI 5314 and 5331)

Auditory perceptual evaluation of voice during speech and singing enables successful clinical and artistic description of voice parameters. Students in this online course will go through a series of voice samples. Auditory, acoustic, and instrumental analysis of voice samples with correlation to physiological basis of voice production will enable students develop ear training. Upon successful completion of all aspects of this course, students will be able to:

1. Identify voice samples as hoarse, breathy, harsh, and other variations related to pitch, loudness, and quality.
2. Recognize pitch of singing voice samples and assess voice quality.
3. Identify basic measures of voice that will be affected.
4. Express the physiological and acoustics aspects of speech and singing.
5. Express the ability to use technology (software and hardware) to correlate auditory perception to physiology. 

SPHS/MUSI 5216 Pedagogy of Performance

This online course will review theoretical aspects of teaching the singing/acting voice. The material presented in this course will prepare the student in the understanding and application of the language used by teachers of singing.  Upon successful completion of all aspects of this course, students will be able to:

1. Identify stages of vocal development and establish Fach.
2. Evaluate and assess a singing student.
3. Select goals for a singing student.
4. Plan a voice lesson with technical exercises and a rationale for their application.
5. Translate abstract images into precise anatomical and physiological language.

SPHS/MUSI 5225 Literature of Vocology

This online course includes an overview of the research, resources, and history of vocology. Students in this course will read and review books and articles written by principle exponents of the field. By the end of this course the student will develop an understanding of the evolution of vocology, the underlying principles and philosophies of the subject, and recognize important exponents and professional organizations associated with the field. Upon successful completion of all aspects of this course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate critical knowledge of the literature pertaining to vocology.
2. Read and discuss literature germane to the field.
3. Demonstrate an ability to analyze and synthesize salient concepts in literature pertaining to vocology.
4. Recognize the role and qualifications of professionals and professional organizations associated with vocology.
5. Recognize journals that publish current research in the field.

SPHS/MUSI 5228 Speaking Voice Habilitation (Prerequisites: SPHS/MUSI 5331, 5314, 5216, 5118, 5217, 5225)

This online course will review basic voice disorders and demonstrate current principles of voice therapy and vocology. Empirical data of evidence-based approaches will be analyzed to understand the efficacy of these approaches. Upon successful completion of all aspects of this course, students will be able to:

1. List common voice disorders.
2. Describe the physiology of vocal function in typical and atypical voice.
3. Identify artistic and evidence-based approaches to voice therapy.
4. Select the most appropriate therapeutic approach for the given vocal condition.
5. Demonstrate the steps related to specific voice therapy techniques.
6. Identify prognostic indicators in vocal habilitation.
7. Identify high-risk populations (e.g., professionals such as teachers, singers, actors, lawyers, persons with hearing loss) and their specialized needs.
8. Recognize the needs of specific and culturally diverse populations (e.g., transgender, transsexual, mutational falsetto).
9. Identify techniques for prevention of voice disorders and promotion of vocal wellness (e.g., vocal hygiene, avoiding phonotrauma).

SPHS/MUSI 5315 Performing Voice Habilitation (Prerequisites: SPHS/MUSI 5331, 5314, 5216, 5118, 5217, 5225)

This online course will allow students to apply principles of anatomy, physiology, pedagogy, and literature to the habilitation of the performing voice.  Students will be provided with applicable tools and resources to aid them in their professional endeavors.  Upon successful completion of all aspects of this course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate critical listening skills and precise vocabulary through adjudication exercises.
2. Demonstrate singing voice principles of voice production, posture, yoga, and implementation of those principles into voice habilitation.
3. Demonstrate accurate and concise pedagogical language through a short, in-class “lesson”.
4. Understand the scope and limit of a singing voice specialist.
5. Demonstrate how to help others find their ideal singing voice and maximize healthy control.
6. Understand the differences and similarities of vocal style in various genres.
7. Complete a performing voice evaluation and identify artistic and evidence-based approaches to singing voice habilitation.

For more information, please contact Vocology Admissions at vocology@lamar.edu.