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DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION SCIENCES AND
DISORDERS
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
Strategic Plan
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (ComD) consists of two
distinct programs:
1. Communication Sciences and Disorders (course designation COMD) which
includes undergraduate (BA and BS) degrees and Post-Baccalaureate
(Leveling and SLP-A) programs that prepare students for advanced degrees in
Audiology or Speech-Language Pathology. Both professions require advanced
degrees for clinical practice. We also offer a graduate (MA only) degree in
Speech-Language Pathology.
2. American Sign Language Interpreting (course designation ASLI).
University of Houston Mission:
The mission of the University of Houston is to discover and disseminate knowledge
through the education of a diverse population of traditional and non-traditional students,
and through research, artistic and scholarly endeavors, as it becomes the nation’s premier
public university in an urban setting. In this role, the University of Houston applies its
expertise to the challenges facing the local, state, national and international communities,
and it establishes and nurtures relationships with the community organizations,
government agencies, public schools and the private sector to enhance the educational,
economic and cultural vitality of Houston and Texas.
UH College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences:
The College's goal is to stimulate and expand students' cultural, mental and physical
explorations through rich course offerings, study abroad programs and campus events.
We encourage students to delve into the questions of life while building critical and
analytical skills that animate professions and launch successful careers.
UH Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (COMD) Mission:
The mission of the Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University
of Houston is to advance the understanding of typical and disordered speech, language,
swallowing, and hearing through excellence in teaching, scholarship and service to the
community.
Revised and Approved 2/16/15
Reviewed and updated 1/7/13
Reviewed and updated 2/2012
Revised and Approved 1/2011
Approved 1/2008
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Strategic Principles for UH ComD: In accordance with the department mission, and the
mission and the strategic principles established by the University of Houston and the UH
System Board of Regents, the strategic plan for the University of Houston Department of
Communication Sciences and Disorders (UH ComD) consists of the following strategic
principles:
Strategic Principle: 1: Institutional Excellence
The UH Dept. of ComD will continue to strive for academic excellence in all
undergraduate, post-baccalaureate and graduate programs, as well as in research and
public service.
Strategic Principle 2: Student Access
The UH Dept. of ComD will continue to provide broad access to educational
opportunities for qualified prospective regional, national and international students.
Strategic Principle 3: Diversity
The UH Dept. of ComD will continue to strive for a student body, faculty and staff that
reflects the diversity of the city of Houston.
Strategic Principle 4: Research
The UH Dept. of ComD will continue to strive to create and disseminate new knowledge,
enriching the educational experience of students in all ComD programs.
Strategic Principle 5: External Partnerships
The UH Dept. of ComD will continue to maintain existing community partnerships, and
develop new partnerships to help meet the communication needs of the community while
providing students with a wide range of excellent educational, professional, and research
experiences.
Strategic Principle 6: Faculty and Staff Recruitment and Retention
The UH Dept. of ComD will continue to strive to support faculty and staff by providing
them with support for their work and access to career opportunities that are competitive
with those at other universities.
Strategic Principle 7: Accountability and Administrative Efficiency
The UH Dept. of ComD will continue to strive to be accountable for student learning and
for the effective use of resources.
Revised and Approved 2/16/15
Reviewed and updated 1/7/13
Reviewed and updated 2/2012
Revised and Approved 1/2011
Approved 1/2008
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Vision: UH ComD is integral to the overall mission of the University of Houston as a
prominent and respected program known regionally, nationally and internationally for
excellence in educational preparation, clinical services and research and scholarship.
Program Goals for ComD:
1. Undergraduate Program: To provide excellent preparation for advanced education
yielding undergraduate students who are competitive and successful
1A: Infuse writing throughout the undergraduate curriculum
1B: Provide enriched and varied research experiences
1C: Enhance teaching and learning through best teaching practices
1D: Identify and support students who are at-risk of academic failure early
to maximize their opportunities for success.
1E: Recruit, retain and advance a culturally and ethnically diverse student
body
2. Graduate Program: To provide the highest quality instruction, laboratory
experiences and clinical practica to prepare students to function competently as
speech-language pathologists in all professional settings and to pursue a terminal
degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders or related fields
2A: Strengthen specialty tracks to provide opportunities for specialization
within the generalist program
2B: Infuse technology into different aspects of the graduate program, such
as in the classroom and in clinical practicum
2C: Recruit, retain and advance a culturally and ethnically diverse student
body
2D: Stimulate research interest and pursuit of advanced degrees
3. Doctoral Programs: To provide the highest quality instruction, research
experience, and relevant clinical mentoring to prepare students for research,
academic, and advanced clinical positions.
3A: Establish a PhD program that prepares graduates for research and
academic careers
3B: Establish an SLPD program that provides graduates with advanced
clinical knowledge, skills and leadership
4. Research and Scholarship: To contribute to the discipline with new knowledge
and promote excellence within the context of basic and applied research and
scholarship
4A: Recruit and retain sufficient numbers of nationally prominent and
diverse faculty to meet the teaching, research, and service needs of the
department
4B: Increase research funding for tenure track faculty and promote an
environment in which research is embraced at all academic levels
4C: Increase collaboration through the development of research
laboratories with shared research facilities
Revised and Approved 2/16/15
Reviewed and updated 1/7/13
Reviewed and updated 2/2012
Revised and Approved 1/2011
Approved 1/2008
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4D: Provide faculty with sufficient time to engage in research activities
and professional development by maintaining workload assignments that
are consistent with institutional policies
5. Clinical Services/Community Engagement: To provide high quality speech,
language and hearing services on the University of Houston campus and at
community outreach centers to individuals of all cultures, ages, and abilities and
be a resource for the community
5A: Ensure providers are highly qualified experts in their field
5B: Provide opportunities for continuing education and faculty
collaboration within a framework of evidence-based practice
5C: Provide comprehensive interdisciplinary clinical services
5D: Foster a long-term professional commitment to the department among
alumni
5E: Serve as a resource for continuing education for professionals in the
community
6. Diversity: To have a student body, faculty and staff that represents the diversity in
the community
6A. Recruit and retain diverse undergraduate, post baccalaureate (PB
Leveling and SLPA) and graduate traditional and nontraditional students
who are highly capable and academically qualified to be successful in the
program.
6B: Recruit and retain nationally prominent and diverse faculty in
sufficient numbers to meet the teaching, research, and service needs of the
department
6C: Provide opportunities for students, faculty and staff to advance their
knowledge or experience with diversity while in the program and
department
6D. Provide resources and support to diverse faculty and students to
maximize their success in the classroom, in research and in services
activities
7. Facilities and Resources: UH ComD will have the highest possible quality
resources and facilities to satisfy the mission and goals of the department and
meet the standards established by our accrediting agencies (SACS and CAA)
7A: Secure adequate space and resources to meet the academic, research
and clinical goals of the department as well as accommodate program
expansion in doctoral education and research
7B: Cultivate diversified sources of funding to support departmental needs
and activities
Revised and Approved 2/16/15
Reviewed and updated 1/7/13
Reviewed and updated 2/2012
Revised and Approved 1/2011
Approved 1/2008