Speech and Language Therapy (Thesis)

Speech and Language Therapy is an autonomous healthcare profession dedicated to the prevention, assessment, rehabilitation, and scientific study of communication, language, speech, voice, and swallowing disorders that may affect individuals across the lifespan, from the neonatal period through older adulthood.

The prevalence of individuals requiring speech and language therapy is high worldwide. Consequently, Speech and Language Therapy has become one of the most sought-after and competitive professions globally.

Particularly in clinical settings and hospitals, there is a growing need for speech and language therapists to work as part of multidisciplinary teams alongside specialists in otorhinolaryngology (ENT), neurology, pediatrics, audiology, physiotherapy, psychiatry, plastic surgery, and related disciplines to provide accurate differential diagnosis and effective, evidence-based rehabilitation. Accordingly, there is an increasing demand for qualified speech and language therapists with advanced expertise in specific areas of the profession. Furthermore, to improve the diagnosis of speech, language, voice, and swallowing disorders, to better understand their etiology and pathophysiology, and to provide patients and individuals with special needs with the most appropriate evidence-based rehabilitation, it is essential to adopt and implement advanced methods developed internationally.

The Master's Program in Speech and Language Therapy aims to educate specialist speech and language therapists who develop advanced expertise through specialization in specific clinical areas. Based on international standards and the Turkish Higher Education Qualifications Framework, the program integrates professional speech and language therapy sciences with biomedical sciences, clinical linguistics, neurocognitive and behavioral sciences, special education, public health, and research methodologies. Graduates are expected to follow contemporary scientific developments and technological advances, practice ethically and collaboratively, and contribute to the profession as clinician-researchers.

The laboratories of the Department of Speech and Language Therapy within our Faculty, together with the University's hospitals, multidisciplinary clinical units, and the MEDIPOL Speech and Language Therapy Center (MEDKOM), which is currently being established, will provide students with comprehensive opportunities for hands-on clinical training, assessment, therapy, and research.

Students enrolled in the program will have the opportunity to receive education from internationally recognized scholars and to participate in collaborative research with leading experts in the field. Graduates of the Master's Program, who hold the professional title of Speech and Language Therapist, will develop advanced expertise in the assessment and management of voice, swallowing, speech, and language disorders in both pediatric and adult populations. They will be qualified to work in hospitals, university clinics, and private practice, helping to address the significant shortage of highly trained clinical specialists in Türkiye. Furthermore, graduates will be well prepared to pursue doctoral studies at leading universities in Türkiye or abroad, enabling them to continue successful academic and research careers.

Prof. Dr. S. Seyhun Topbaş
Head of the Department of Speech and Language Therapy
Institute of Health Sciences
[email protected]