Western Carolina University
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Health and Human Sciences
Annual Assessment Report for 2007-2008
Primary Contact Name/Info: Billy T. Ogletree, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Head, Department of
Communication Sciences and Disorder, G50 McKee
Student Learning
Outcome(s) Assessed in
2007-08
Method(s) of
Assessment
Results of
Assessment
Implementation Plan
.
Program Outcome
Objectives
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Students will
demonstrate
knowledge of the
clinical procedures
associated with
communication
sciences and
disorders.
Students will
demonstrate
understanding of the
etiology and
characteristics,
associated with
speech and language
disorders in children
and adults.
Students will
demonstrate
understanding of
procedures
associated with the
treatment of
children and adults
with hearing
disorders.
Students will
demonstrate
proficiency in the
use of
instrumentation
associated with the
acoustical analysis
of speech.
Students will
demonstrate
understanding of
professional ethical
standards of the
American SpeechLanguage-Hearing
Association.
1. Student’s knowledge
of the clinical procedures
associated with
communication disorders
was measured during: (a)
ongoing clinical
discussions and cases
provided in CSD 479/683,
(b) all graduate and
undergraduate courses
presenting material on
communication disorders
(See attached *KASA
form), (c) graduate
clinical research projects,
(d) clinical practicum
placements, (e) graduate
comprehensive case
presentations, and (f) the
national certification
examination. Student
knowledge in these areas
was also necessary for (g)
program completion and
(h) employment.
Undergraduate
1 (a) All students
successfully completed
course requirements in
CSD 479 by receiving a
final course grade of C
or higher; (b) Students
receiving a final course
grade of C or higher
successfully completed
course requirements in
other undergraduate
courses designated in the
CSD KASA form.
Graduate
1 (a) All students
successfully completed
course requirements in
CSD 683 by receiving a
final course grade of B
or higher; (b) Students
receiving a final course
grade of B or higher
successfully completed
course requirements in
other graduate courses
designated in the CSD
KASA form (Students
receiving a grade of C
were required to
remediate their grades
through plans designed
in cooperation with their
instructor); (c/e) All
graduating students
generated research cases
illustrating
recommended clinical
practices and presented
them to peers and faculty
colleagues (all
graduating students
received passing
evaluations from faculty
evaluation panels); (d)
All student received final
clinical practicum grades
of B or higher signifying
their progress toward
clinical competence; (f)
the CSD graduate
program completion rate
for 07 was 93.4%; (g)
the 07 pass rate for the
national certification
exam for WCU
graduating graduate
Undergraduate
1. Two courses are being
designed for addition to the
curriculum to address perceived
program weaknesses. One will
address professional writing as
it relates to clinical
competence. The other will
address the normal
development of English syntax.
These courses are in response
to faculty and external clinical
supervisor feedback. The
timeline for their inclusion in
the curriculum is Fall 09. The
individual responsible is Dr.
Bill Ogletree. No new
resources will be required.
Graduate
1. New clinical sites continue
to be added in response to a
need to broaden clinical
training experiences for
students. The timeline for
adding sites is ongoing. The
person responsible is Dr. Tracie
Rice. No new resources are
required.
2. The graduate comprehensive
examination process is under
review and revision in response
to student and faculty feedback.
Efforts are being directed at
making the examination more
applied. This year’s case
presentations reflected an initial
effort in this area. The timeline
for a definitive process change
is Spring 09. The person
responsible is Dr. Bill Ogletree.
No new resources will be
required.
3. A review of student
performance with curricular
offerings led to the need to
create more elective courses to
address professional scope of
practice. A graduate course in
literacy was offered in the
spring of 08 and an offering in
Autism is proposed in the
future. The timeline for
additional electives is Fall 09.
The person responsible is Dr.
Bill Ogletree.