BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN AUDIOLOGY, SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY (B.ASLP)

Overview

Background

Audiology is the discipline of science that addresses the assessment and rehabilitation of persons with hearing and balance disorders. Speech and Language Pathology is the discipline of science that addresses the assessment and management of persons with speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders.

The Bachelor in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (B.ASLP) offered by the University of Nairobi, is a four year dual degree programme, which includes a one year internship programme.The B.ASLP degree programme is designed to equip learners with the requisite knowledge and competencies to assess, diagnose and rehabilitate individuals with impairments of hearing, speech, language, communication and swallowing.

Goal of the Programme

The goal of the programme is to provide learners with the opportunity to acquire knowledge and develop confidence and skills in the application of principles of Audiology, Speech and Language Pathology in the diagnosis and management of patients with disorders of hearing, balance, speech, language, communication and swallowing.

Expected Learning outcomes of the Programme

At the end of this programme, the learner should be able to:

Outline the scientific basis of audiological, speech and language manifestation of disorders.
Describe audiology, speech and language disorders.
Demonstrate clinical competencies in the management and care of the patient with audiological, speech and language pathology disorders.
Apply ethical, legal and attitudinal principles in the practice of audiology, speech and language pathology.
Design promotion and preventive programmes in audiology, speech, and language pathology.

Philosophy of the programme:

This is guided by the need to develop a programme that produces specialists who can provide leadership and stewardship in providing the best care for disorders of hearing, balance, speech, language, communication, and swallowing. The goal is to produce competent, autonomous, outstanding audiologists and speech and language pathologists who serve the communities they attend to with passion and purpose.

Rationale of the Programme

The World Health Organisation (2021) estimates that there are 430 million people globally with disabling hearing loss. Two-thirds of these people live in developing countries. Hearing impairment and deafness have profound individual, societal, and economic consequences.

The introduction of this dual degree programme at the University of Nairobi will help bridge the huge human resource gap for audiologists and speech and language pathologists, both regionally and globally.The increasing burden of hearing loss, growing need for specialized care, and rapid technological advancements, makes it necessary to introduce this academic program thus ensuring access to high-quality hearing, speech and language healthcare services. This programme, will be the only such degree programme in Sub-Saharan Africa aside from South Africa. Graduates of the BASLP programme can progress to undertake a Masters degree in either Audiology or Speech and Language Pathology, and a PhD in the same field of study.

Structure

The BASPL course shall be full-time and extend for a period of 4 years. The course academic year shall be divided into two (2) semesters of 36 (thirty-six) weeks each.

The final year shall include an internship for clinical experience.

The entire 4 year programme will have of a total of 103 credit hours.

Mode of delivery of the Programme

Face-Face Mode

The methods of instruction shall be interactive lectures, class presentations, seminars, tutorials, case studies, supervised clinical practice, clinical case presentations, simulations, student teacher consultations, group work, supervised teaching practice, supervised independent study, individual research projects and guest speakers.

Open, Distance, and E-Learning (ODeL)

The Open, Distance, and e-Learning Programme will involve the use of;

Multi-media approaches.
E-learning materials are provided on the E-learning platform in accordance with online learner management systems (LMS) guidelines.
Applications (Apps) are downloadable on various electronic devices.
Face-to-face delivery mode which shall not exceed one-third of the instructional time
Learner support services including academic and technical support and guidance and counseling on the use of multimedia approaches.

CONTACT DETAILS

Location: University of Nairobi

Faculty of Health Sciences

Department of Surgery

Office line: +254 20 4915043

Mobile: 0724 644 592/ 0721 310657

email:dept-surgery@uonbi.ac.ke

Website:surgery.uonbi.ac.ke

Admission Requirements

Minimum admission requirements

The common regulations for a Bachelor’s degree at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi shall be applicable. The following or their equivalents shall be admissible:

1. Holder of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) with a minimum aggregate C+ or equivalent. In addition, the candidate must have attained a C+ in each of the four (4) cluster subjects as shown below:-

Alternative A Alternative B

Biology Biological Sciences

Physics/ Mathematics Mathematics

Chemistry Physical Sciences

English/Kiswahili English/KiswahIli

2. Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) mean grade C or equivalent plus a Diploma in Audiology/Speech and language therapy, from an institution recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate. The diploma shall be of credit level and above.

3. Kenya Certificate of Education [‘O’ level] Division II or equivalent plus a diploma in Audiology/Speech and language therapy. The diploma shall be of credit level and above

4. Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education [‘A’ level] with two (2) principal passes or equivalent, one of which must be in Mathematics or Physics and the other in Biology, plus a subsidiary pass in Chemistry.

5. IGCSE six (6) B’s including Mathematics or Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English and A Level 2 principal passes and 1 subsidiary pass or equivalent;

Schedule Of Intake

The program intake shall be done every September or as dictated by the Ministry of Education Calender.

There is continuous enrollment under Module 2 (Self-Sponsored Program).

Application Information:

Option 1:

Step 1: Visit Department of Surgery website: surgery.uonbi.ac.ke

Step 2: Click on the “Admission” tab

Step 3: Select “undergraduate education” and follow the instructions to apply.

Option 2:

You can apply directly via the application portal: Click here to apply

Careers

Career Prospects

This program has diverse career progression pathways to choose from. Graduates of the BASLP program can practice in any of the following capacities:

Clinical Audiologist
Speech and Language Pathologist
Rehabilitation Specialist
Clinical Researcher
Educator in Audiology and Speech and language Pathology
Swallowing Therapist
Voice Therapist
Work as a consultant for Hospitals, NGOs and other instituitions.
Opportunities for self,private and government employment

Opportunities for educational/academic advancement

Masters in Audiology in diverse specialities including :- Vestibular medicine, cochlear implants and other implantable hearing technology, Paediatric Audiology, Educational Audiology, Research Audiology and Tele-Audiology.
Masters in Speech and Language Pathology in diverse specialities including:- Paediatric Speech and Language disorders, Adult Communication disorders, Voice Disorders, Swallowing disorders andTele-Therapy.
Onward progression towards obtaining a PHD can be undertaken in any of the above areas of study.

Fees and Funding

FEES STRUCTURE

ITEM Amount (KES)

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4

1. Tuition 450,000.00 450,000.00 450,000.00 225,000.00

2. Medical fee (per year) 6,500.00 6,500.00 6,500.00 6,500.00

3. Examination 10,000.00 10,000.00 10,000.00 10,000.00

4. Student organization (per year) 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00

5. Activity-( per year) 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00

6. Registration (per semester@2250) 4,500.00 4,500.00 4,500.00 4,500.00

7. ICT services - (per year) 7,000.00 7,000.00 7,000.00 7,000.00

8. Library (per year) 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00