Programme Specification
A statement of the knowledge, understanding and skills that underpin a
taught programme of study awarded by
The University of Sheffield
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Programme Title
Cleft and Speech (CLASP)
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Programme Code
HCST06 (Full-time), HCST07 (Part-time)
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JACS Code
B600
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Level of Study
Postgraduate
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Final Qualification
Diploma Cleft and Speech (CLASP)
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Intermediate Qualification(s)
Postgraduate Certificate in Cleft Palate Studies (HCST05)
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Teaching Institution (if not Sheffield)
Not applicable
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Faculty
Medicine, Dentistry & Health
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Home Department
Human Communication Sciences
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Other Department(s) involved in
teaching the programme
Not applicable
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Mode(s) of Attendance
Full-time and Part-time
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Duration of the Programme
1 year (Full-time) and 2 years (Part-time)
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Accrediting Professional or
Statutory Body
Not applicable
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Date of production/revision
January 2013, Revised March 2016
15. Background to the programme and subject area
The Diploma in Cleft and Speech (CLASP) is linked to the Pg Certificate in Cleft Palate Studies and the MSc in Cleft
and Speech (CLASP). It is aimed specifically at speech and language therapists and others with a
phonetics/linguistics background who wish to specialise in cleft lip and palate, and developmental speech difficulties
across the lifespan. The course is well placed in Human Communication Sciences which is a multidisciplinary
department covering linguistics, phonetics, acoustics, psychology, speech and language pathology, education,
computer sciences and medical sciences. The Department of Human Communication Sciences is one of the leading
departments of its kind in the UK and has a particularly strong track record and reputation in the area of speech
difficulties. Further information is available on the departmental website at http://www.shef.ac.uk/hcs.
16. Programme aims
The Diploma in Cleft and Speech (CLASP) has the following aims which are consonant with the Mission Statement
of the University of Sheffield:

to provide students with a sound understanding of current research findings about the nature of speech
development and difficulties associated with cleft palate and related conditions.

To familiarise students with a range of analytical approaches necessary to investigate speech development and
difficulties.

To examine areas of development and difficulty associated with speech difficulties, in particular cognitive,
educational and psychosocial.

To design, implement and evaluate intervention for individuals or groups with speech difficulties in a range of
contexts.

To develop professional presentation skills, e.g. oral and written presentations.

To provide students with a sound foundation for career development and specialisation.
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17. Programme learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding:
K1
knowledge of current research into speech development and difficulties associated with cleft palate and related
conditions across the lifespan.
K2
an understanding of the impact of speech difficulties on school, home and social life, and later employment
and relationships.
K3
knowledge of a range of technical and research methods used in the investigation of speech difficulties and
evaluation of subsequent intervention programmes.
K4
knowledge of current methods of assessment and intervention for children with cleft palate and associated
speech difficulties.
Skills and other attributes:
S1
ability to select and apply appropriate research methods to the investigation of typical/atypical speech and to
the design and evaluation of intervention programmes.
S2
skills in designing assessment and intervention tasks suitable for children with cleft palate and associated
speech difficulties.
S3
skills in phonetic transcription and instrumental phonetic analysis.
S4
proficiency in a range of research and professional skills including critical analysis, research presentation and
dissemination, ethical issues and IT applications.
18. Teaching, learning and assessment
Development of the learning outcomes is promoted through the following teaching and learning methods:
The module uses a blended learning approach, which combines face-to-face sessions with a range of e-learning
materials. A range of teaching and learning methods are employed including lectures, seminars, tutorials and
practical workshops according to the nature of the material to be covered. However, teaching is primarily seminar
and workshop based to allow students to engage as active participants in the learning process. This is particularly
important in areas such as phonetic transcription, critical analysis, research presentation and other group activities.
Broadly, lectures, seminars and guided reading will be used to develop the knowledge based outlined in Section 17
K1-4 above; workshops, tutorials and assignments will be used to develop skills S1-S4. The theme of theory and
practice links will run through all teaching and learning sessions.
Some modules are taught as short (two- to three-day) study blocks; others by weekly sessions. All modules are
supported by further structured material provided through MOLE (My Online Learning Environment).
Tutorials offer guidance in the preparation of written assignments, feedback on students’ progress and general
support towards attaining learning outcomes.
Opportunities to demonstrate achievement of the programme learning outcomes are provided through the
following assessment methods:
Assessment varies slightly from module to module. For the most part, assessment consists of coursework exercises
while the module is in progress (e.g. research design and statistics) and/or an assignment (such as an essay, data
analysis assignment or oral presentation) at the end of a module. All individual assessments are tailored to the
requirements of the specific skill, ability, activity or knowledge area being assessed, and cover both theoretical and
practical aspects. The assessment schedule is structured to provide opportunities for feedback fairly early on in the
course and at regular intervals thereafter.
19. Reference points
The learning outcomes have been developed to reflect the following points of reference:
The learning outcomes for the Diploma Cleft and Speech (CLASP) have been developed in parallel with other
postgraduate taught courses in the department: the PgCert Cleft Palate Studies, the MSc Cleft and Speech, the
Cert/Dip/MSc Speech Difficulties and our ESRC-recognised MSc in Human Communication Sciences (see ESRC
Postgraduate Training Guidelines:
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http://www.esrc.ac.uk/skills-and-careers/studentships/doctoral-training-centres/postgraduate-training-guidelines),
thus ensuring that in addition to subject-specific content and skills, students also acquire general research skills and
transferable skills, and emphasis is also placed on their own personal and career development. In addition, the
Strategic Plan of the University of Sheffield (http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/strategicplan) informed the design and the
content of the curriculum, ensuring, for example, that teaching is informed by current developments in research.
The Royal College of Speech & Language Therapy Guidelines for Continuing Professional Development, the Royal
College of Speech and Language Therapists Handbook for Practice (Communicating Quality 3) and the Forum of
Lead Cleft Lip and Palate Speech & Language Therapists UK also influenced the development of this course.
20. Programme structure and regulations
Please refer to the Programme Regulation, General University Regulations and the On-line Directory of
Modules for detailed information about the structure of programmes, regulations concerning assessment and
progression and descriptions of individual modules.
21. Student development over the course of study
For the award of:
1.
PgDip CLASP – Students who complete all 120 credits will be eligible for the award of PgDip in CLASP;
2.
A PgCert in Cleft Palate Studies can be awarded to students who wish to cease studying but have passed
HCS 6027, 6101, 6103 & 6104;
3.
Transfer from PgDip CLASP to the Masters in Cleft and Speech (CLASP) will normally be within 2 years and
at the discretion of the Board of Examiners and facilitated through change of status forms.
Progression through the course can be full-time (1 year) or part-time by distance learning (2 years) with a maximum
of 3 years to complete
Full-time
HCS6048 Research Methods A
HCS6027 Developing an Evidence Base for
Practice
HCS6105 Cleft Palate: Speech Production
and Multidisciplinary Care
HCS6103 Cleft Palate: Speech Assessment
HCS6104 Cleft Palate: Intervention and
Service Provision
HCS6021 Speech Difficulties 1
HCS6022 Speech Difficulties 2
HCS6049 Research Methods B
Part-time
Year 1
HCS6027 Developing an Evidence Base for
Practice
HCS6105 Cleft Palate: Speech Production
and Multidisciplinary Care
HCS6103 Cleft Palate: Speech Assessment
HCS6104 Cleft Palate: Intervention and
Service Provision
Year 2
HCS6048 Research Methods A
HCS6021 Speech Difficulties 1
HCS6022 Speech Difficulties 2
Option Module
Semester 1
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
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Semester 2
22. Criteria for admission to the programme
Detailed information regarding admission to the programme is available in the University’s On-Line Prospectus at
www.shef.ac.uk/prospective/prospectus.html and also in the department’s website at http://www.shef.ac.uk/hcs.
Applicants should normally have a First class or Upper Second degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline, such as
Linguistics, Speech Sciences, Speech and Language Therapy. Candidates with a diploma or ordinary degree in
speech and language therapy can be accepted if the candidate can show continued learning and experience after
the first qualification. Non-native speakers of English require an IELTS score of 7 or above with at least 6 in each
component, or equivalent.
23. Additional information
The design of the course above is to allow maximum flexibility for part-time students who are likely to have other
professional commitments.
The course is designed so that any student who is unable to progress through the Diploma programme but who has
completed HCS6027, HCS6101, HCS6103 and HCS6014 successfully will be eligible for the award of the Certificate
in Cleft Palate Studies.
This specification represents a concise statement about the main features of the programme and should be
considered alongside other sources of information provided by the teaching department(s) and the University. In
addition to programme specific information, further information about studying at The University of Sheffield can be
accessed via our Student Services web site at www.shef.ac.uk/ssid.
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