The Graduate Program in Human Communication Health (PPGSCH) aims to provide an excellent course focused on the development of Speech-Language Pathology and related fields, enhancing professional practice, producing scientific knowledge, and encouraging extension activities related to human communication health. Specific objectives include:

• Promote the training of researchers and higher education professors in Human Communication, reflecting on their role in today’s complex society.
• Expand the production and dissemination of knowledge and health practices in Speech-Language Pathology and related interdisciplinary areas.
• Foster scientific research on human communication health focused on the promotion of language, voice, swallowing, orofacial motricity, and hearing.
• Promote research focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of language, voice, swallowing, orofacial motricity, hearing, and balance disorders.
• Produce knowledge aimed at extension activities and research concerning human communication health processes across the life span.
• Disseminate research results in national and international scientific journals.
• Develop research and extension projects related to human communication processes with a focus on the program’s social impact.
• Encourage critical analysis of theoretical and methodological references produced in Brazil and internationally.

The Graduate Program in Human Communication Health is centered on the area of “Promotion and Rehabilitation of Human Communication”, shaped by inquiries into the phenomena surrounding human communication health and its disorders, focusing on both professional and academic praxis in Speech-Language Pathology and related fields

Since its inception, the program has established actions with significant sociocultural, economic, educational, scientific, and technological impact. It acknowledges that its scientific production and dissemination efforts must primarily address problems involving the population’s communication health.

In addition to its influence on the scientific community, the program directly reaches society through service delivery to various population groups—industrial workers, police officers, musicians, students, and users/professionals of Brazil’s public health system (SUS).

Locally, for example, the Hearing, Swallowing, and Language Laboratories provide services to thousands annually, based on referrals from SUS through the UTP Speech-Language Pathology Clinic, which offers medium and high-complexity care.

EXTENSION PROGRAMS (By Area of Impact)

EDUCATIONAL IMPACT

• School Hearing Health Program: Since 2011, over 3,600 students and educators have participated in this initiative across Curitiba and nearby cities. Awarded at the 32nd Brazilian Congress of Speech-Language Pathology in 2024.
• Literacy Promotion Workshop: Started in 2017, benefiting about 70 students. Outcomes include scientific publications and two books: “Entre (laços) 1” (2021) and “Entre (laços) 2” (2024).
• Continued Education for Primary Health Professionals: In partnership with CEREST since 2014, training over 150 professionals in occupational noise-induced hearing loss reporting.
• Extension Course on Dyslexia: Offered in partnership with the Federal University of Paraná, supporting special education professionals and approximately 200 students with learning challenges.

SOCIOCULTURAL IMPACT

• TUIUTI Speech-Language Film Forum: Launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic to discuss speech-language practices through film.
• Language Workshops for the Elderly: Ongoing since 2002, serving over 100 elderly individuals and their families.
• Noise Awareness Campaigns: Active since 2010, reaching hundreds of people in public spaces around International Noise Awareness Day.

TECHNOLOGICAL/ECONOMIC IMPACT

• Vestibular Rehabilitation for Spinocerebellar Ataxias: Over 300 individuals served since 2000 in partnership with HC-UFPR, utilizing virtual reality technology.
• Hearing Preservation for BOPE Police Officers: Active since 2009, involving 92 officers and recipient of the 2018 Speech-Language Pathology Merit Award.
• Care and Guidance for Musicians: Since 2014, over 200 musicians and 100 music students assisted.
• Dangerous Decibels Brazil/UTP: Since 2016, over 1,900 students and 500 workers reached through interactive auditory health programs.
• Newborn Hearing Screening and Follow-up: Begun in 2012, supporting around 400 high-risk infants from Curitiba public maternity wards.

Promotion of Human Communication in Health and Education Contexts

Focuses on communication processes and their relationship with voice, orofacial motricity, hearing, and balance throughout the life cycle. It aims to systematize knowledge, protocols, and human promotion actions in health and education across different populations.

Diagnosis and Rehabilitation in Human Communication

Investigates theoretical and methodological foundations related to evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of communication issues and their interfaces with voice, orofacial motricity, hearing, balance, and related areas. It seeks to organize knowledge and clinical practices across age groups, considering the use of technology for human development.

Research Line: Promotion of Human Communication in Health and Education

• Adriana Bender Moreira de Lacerda
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• Ana Paula Berberian
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• Carlos Eduardo Borges Dias
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• Débora Lüders
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• Giselle Aparecida de Athayde Massi
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Research Line: Diagnosis and Rehabilitation in Human Communication

• Angela Graciela Deliga Schroder
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• Bianca Simone Zeigelboim
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• Cristiano Miranda de Araújo
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• José Stechman Neto
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• Rita de Cássia Tonocchi
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• Rosane Sampaio Santos
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• Sidnei Rinaldo Priolo Filho
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• Vanessa Luisa Destro Fidêncio
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The program is structured with core courses for foundational training and elective/mandatory courses aligned with each research line. The curriculum includes practical activities to integrate theory and practice.

Program Duration:

• Master’s: 24 months (71 credits)
• Doctorate: 48 months (119 credits)

Credits Breakdown – Master’s:

• Core Courses: 18
• Research Line Courses: 12
• Programmed Activities: 7
• Dissertation: 34

Credits Breakdown – Doctorate:

• Core Courses: 22
• Research Line Courses: 20
• Programmed Activities: 10
• Thesis: 67

Scientific Production Requirement:

• Master’s students: At least 2 articles from the dissertation + 1 extra B1 or higher journal article.
• Doctoral students: 3 thesis-related articles + 1 extra B1 or higher journal article.

Examples of Core Courses (M/D):

• Ethics and Bioethics in Research
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Research Methodology I & II
• Higher Education Didactics
• Innovation and Technology in Human Communication Health
• Biostatistics
• Advanced Seminar
• Human Communication Health: Trends and Challenges

PROFICIENCY EXAM

Students must demonstrate proficiency in a second foreign language (English, French, or Spanish), different from the one used at program admission. Certificates from recognized institutions may be accepted.

UTP Internationalization Policy:
UTP views internationalization as a key element of higher education quality. It promotes academic and cultural interaction through teaching, research, and service, partnering with universities, companies, and governments. The program collaborates internationally to strengthen research and education in human communication.

Current International Partnerships:

• Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg – Germany
• Kent University – UK
• Université de Montréal – Canada
• NIOSH – USA
• University of Porto – Portugal
• University of Lisbon – Portugal
• Universidad de Santander (UDES) – Colombia

Domestic Institutional Partnerships (examples):

• Federal University of Paraná – UFPR (various graduate programs)
• University of São Paulo – USP
• UNESP – Marília
• Red Cross Hospital of Paraná

Institutional and International Relations Office (CORII):

• Coordinator: Rodolfo Enrique Perdomo Freitas
• Email:[email protected]
• Office hours: Mon–Fri, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

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