Southeastern Louisiana University
Department of Health & Human Sciences
Master of Science, Communication Sciences and Disorders
Strategic Plan
Vision
The vision of the Master of Science program in Communication Sciences and Disorders includes
a sequence of courses designed to maximize the applications of academic knowledge into clinical
practice with expanded clinical training opportunities. State-of-the-art technology will be integrated
into the academic and clinical curriculum to coincide with advances in the professions. The program
strives to produce professionals capable of providing economically efficient services through a variety of
service-delivery models. Graduates will competently and ethically serve diverse populations across the
life-span.
Mission
The mission of the Master of Science program in Communication Sciences and Disorders is to
train students to be knowledgeable, skilled, and ethical speech-language pathologists; to conduct and
evaluate evidence-based research; and to appreciate life-long learning in the areas of normal, different
and disordered communication across the life-span and among cultures.
Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Students will be knowledgeable in the areas of normal, disordered, and different
communication processes.
1a. 85% of students will demonstrate “Meeting expectations” on assessments about normal
speech and language development, and the processes of hearing and swallowing.
1b. 80% of students will rate their level of satisfaction with the depth and breadth of knowledge
in normal communication processes and swallowing as satisfied-very satisfied.
1c. 85% of students will demonstrate “Meeting expectations” on assessments about speech,
language and hearing disorders and disordered swallowing.
1d. 80% of students will rate their level of satisfaction with the depth and breadth of knowledge
of disordered communication processes and swallowing as satisfied-very satisfied.
1e. 85% of students will demonstrate “Meeting expectations” on assessments related to
communication differences.
1f. 80% of students will rate their level of satisfaction with skills to communicate effectively
about communication disorders and differences with clients and relevant others as satisfied-very
satisfied.
Goal 2: Students will be knowledgeable in the areas of principles, types, methodology, and
procedures of research.
2a. 85% of students will demonstrate “Meeting expectations” on assessments about research
variables.
2b. 85% of students will demonstrate “Meeting expectations” on assessments about types of
research.
2c. 100% of students will successfully complete training on protecting human research
participants.
2d. 80% of students will rate their level of satisfaction with the opportunity for meaningful
interaction with faculty in research or other scholarly activity as satisfied-very satisfied.
2e. 80% of students will rate their level of satisfaction with the knowledge of research and how
to integrate research into evidence-based intervention as satisfied-very satisfied.
2f. 80% of the students will rate themselves as knowledgeable-very knowledgeable in the areas
of principles, types, methodology, and procedures of research as satisfied-very satisfied.
Goal 3: Students at the beginning level-advanced levels (i.e., less than 100 contact hrs-300 contact
hrs.) will demonstrate competency in clinical skills.
3a. 100% of the students will demonstrate “Exceeds expectations” or “Usually meets
expectations” skills in planning, interactions, management, intervention, and assessment of
communication disorders.
3b. 80% of the students will rate their level of satisfaction with their skills to screen and assess
communication disorders as satisfied-very satisfied.
3c. 80% of students will rate their level of satisfaction with their skills to implement and modify
intervention plans as satisfied-very satisfied.
3d. 80% of students will rate their level of satisfaction with their skills to implement and modify
intervention plan as satisfied-very satisfied.
3e. 80% of students will rate their level of satisfaction with their skills to communicate
effectively with clients and relevant others about communication disorders and differences as satisfiedvery satisfied.
3f. 80% of students will rate their level of satisfaction with their skills to evaluate their
effectiveness as a clinician as satisfied-very satisfied.
3g. 80% of employers rate alumni employees under strongly agree-agree for Personal
characteristics, Professionalism, Knowledge and Skills and Communication Skills.
Goal 4: Students will be eligible to be nationally certified as an SLP and employed as an SLP.
a. 90% of graduates will pass the PRAXIS examination required for national certification.
See MS Academic Assessment Plan for: Type of Assessment; Where/who/when assessed; Findings & Use of Results
Submitted: March 21, 2013; approved: April 10, 2013