• Program for MA-SLP and AuD graduate students
• Gain hands-on experience with client intervention and evaluations for children with developmental disabilities and complex communication needs
• Participate in cultural activities to learn about Turks and Caicos

This program is designed for graduate students in speech-language pathology and audiology at the University of Kansas who have an interest in working with people with different types of disabilities, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities and complex communication needs. The group will work with the Ministry of Health to offer the local community services such as screenings, evaluations, short-term intervention services, and referrals. Clients can be any age and will range from children to adults. There will be several days that are full clinical days, including a Tykes Adventure Camp for children. In addition, there will be cultural activities and excursions.

Turks and Caicos Islands are a territory of the United Kingdom in the West Indies, located southeast of the Bahamas and north of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Turks and Caicos is comprised of 40 different islands and cays, eight of them inhabited. More than 90% of the population is of African heritage and the official language is English. The program will take place on the island of Providenciales and/or Grand Turk.

Two or three hours of academic credit are granted by the University of Kansas upon successful completion of the program. MA-SPL students will enroll in 2 credits and AuD students will enroll in 3 credits of SPLH 752: Examining Global Perspectives in Speech-Language-Hearing.

During the Spring semester, the group will meet three or four times (for six to ten hours total) to review client files and plan for the screenings and evaluations.

While abroad, MA-SLP and AuD graduate students will participate in supervised evaluations and screenings, as well as facilitate short-term therapeutic intervention activities. Students will receive contact hours toward their ASHA requirement while participating in direct patient-contact activities.

Students will be housed in double or triple occupancy rooms in hotels for the duration of the program. While in Turks and Caicos, breakfast and some other meals will be included. Students should plan to purchase approximately five meals on their own. Many dietary restrictions can be accommodated.

While in Turks and Caicos, the group will work with Therapy Abroad and the Ministry of Health of Turks and Caicos to run Tykes Adventure Camp for kids 3-6 years old, do home health visits, and provide evaluations and referrals.

Students will also be able to go swimming and snorkeling and see one of the largest barrier reefs in the world.

SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.

Additional Resources

Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.

• Sexual and Gender Diversity
• Students of Color Abroad
• Visible and Invisible Disabilities
• Religious, Spiritual, and Non-Religious Students
• Adult Learners and Non-Traditional Students
• First Generation Students
• Students with Children
• Students with Financial Need
• Veterans, Active Duty, and ROTC

All students must be graduate students in the KU Speech-Language-Hearing or Audiology program. The minimum GPA requirement is a 2.5, though exceptions are considered after submitting a petition.

KU partners with Therapy Abroad to offer this program and Therapy Abroad requires that all participants are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Program Cost for Graduate Studies in AAC, Autism, and Audiology in Turks and Caicos

One or two KU professors will be leading the program, based on participant numbers and majors. Professors Krysta Green (krystagreen@ku.edu) and Kate DeJarnette (kmdejarnette@ku.edu) are directing the program and have both led study abroad programs previously.