Pearson's Online Learning Services Division Expands Partnership with Bradley University to Offer Online Master's Degree in Speech Language Pathology; Extends Doctor of Education Program
Speech Language Pathology Program Provides Flexible Course of Study, Meets Growing Demand for the Health Service; Ed.D. is Enhanced with Ed. Tech Concentration and Pre-K
Hoboken, NJ, 6 September 2022 - Pearson's Online Learning Services division, which delivers online learning products and services for higher education institutions worldwide, announced today an expanded partnership with Bradley University to offer an online master's degree in Speech Language Pathology (SLP) and new features to its Doctorate in Education program.
Based in Peoria, Ill., Bradley University has partnered with Pearson since 2015 to help administer the university's suite of online nursing degrees, followed by online counseling degrees a year later. The new online Bradley SLP master's degree program joins a small number (around 20) of U.S.-based online or hybrid programs in the discipline, which has become increasingly popular and in-demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics of speech-language pathologists is projected to grow 29 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.
The bureau also specifies that speech-language pathologists (sometimes called speech therapists) assess, diagnose, treat, and help prevent communication and swallowing disorders in both children and adults. Speech, language, and swallowing disorders can result from a variety of causes, including stroke, brain injury, hearing loss, developmental delay, Parkinson’s disease, a cleft palate, or autism.
While 60% of speech-language pathologists work in health care facilities, 40% work in schools. Program enrollment will begin in early 2024 with classes starting in Fall 2024
“Bradley University is excited to begin development of a new online master’s degree in SLP,” said Dr. Jessica Clark, Dean of the College of Education and Health Sciences at Bradley University. “As demand for this specialized area of practice continue to climb across the nation, we are committed to launching a challenging program focused on meeting the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) expected learning outcomes by providing innovative clinical opportunities as well as creating new ways of delivering asynchronous theoretical content. The program will allow students from coast to coast to engage in interdisciplinary curriculum, all focused on meeting state licensure requirements. In addition to our 56-credit hour master’s program, we will also offer a variety of online prerequisite courses to help prepare students from a variety of undergraduate backgrounds and fields for graduate level coursework in SLP. This new program will be a great addition to our existing online health care programs. A search is currently underway for a new director.”
Beyond SLP, Bradley University's doctorate program in education is growing to include a new concentration in education technology, which focuses on instructional design and the technologies that support online learning; the concentration in K-12 Leadership will expand to include PreK-12. Pearson has supported this online degree program since 2020; students are anticipated to have access to these options in early 2023.
"We are proud of the online education we have helped Bradley University deliver over the past seven years,” said Kees Bol, managing director for Pearson's Online Learning Services group--the team responsible for supporting online higher education degrees and certificates--commented on the long-standing partnership with Bradley University. “They are a respected partner committed to the evolving needs of the adult learners they support; responding with programs designed for today's complex lives, including flexible, online options."
Online degrees meet the needs of graduate students and career professionals by offering flexibility in terms of when and where lessons occur. Those interested in pursuing Bradley University's online master's degree in speech-language pathology must hold a bachelor's degree in speech-language pathology or, for non-majors, must complete a series of bridge courses to prepare them for this specialized course of study.
About Pearson
At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to add life to a lifetime of learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That's why our c.20,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world's leading learning company, serving customers in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. Visit us pearsonplc.com.
Bradley University is a top-ranked, private university in Peoria, Illinois, offering nearly 6,000 undergraduate and graduate opportunities, choices, and resources to build their futures. Innovation, action, and collaboration drive Bradley students to generate ideas and create solutions that remake the world around them. Our comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate academic programs includes business, communications, education, engineering, fine arts, health sciences, liberal arts and sciences, and technology. The university is located on an 85-acre campus in Peoria, the largest metropolitan area in Central Illinois. Visit www.bradley.edu or https://www.bradley.edu/academic/colleges/ehs/ for more information about Bradley University and the College of Education and Health Sciences
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Contacts:
Pearson: Allison Bazin, 609-247-0275, [email protected]
Bradley University: Interim point of contact: Susan Gold, [email protected]