GRADUATE PROGRAM IN
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

 

FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN

2009-2014

 

1.  Enhance the quality of the graduate program
(WSU “Academic Programs, Priorities, and Personnel,” Goals 1 and 2)

Rationale:  To maintain a quality graduate program, constant monitoring must take place.  The field of speech-language pathology is constantly growing. Therefore, a graduate program in speech-language pathology must be vigilant in monitoring changes to assure the quality of the education for entry-level practitioners. 

 

Strategic Objectives:

 

a. Continue to monitor ASHA changes in program, certification, and scope of practice requirements.

Responsible individuals:  Department Chair,
Graduate Coordinator, Clinic Director

Reporting Practice: Yearly

b. Continue to monitor Commonwealth of Massachusetts Licensure and Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Licensure.

Responsible individuals: Department Chair,
Graduate Coordinator, Clinic Director

Reporting Practice:  Yearly

c. Continue assessment process as a basis for program change.

Responsible individuals:  Department Chair,
Graduate Coordinator, Clinic Director

Reporting Practice:  Yearly

d.  Monitor adequacy of resources including clinical resources, teaching resources, technology resources, and library resources.

Responsible individuals:  Department Chair,
Clinic Supervisor, Various Faculty

Reporting Practice:  Yearly

 

 

2.  Enhance scholarly culture through faculty, staff, and student research and learning (WSU “Academic Programs, Priorities, and Personnel,” Goal 4))

Rationale: To maintain a vibrant profession, speech-language pathologists must be life-long learners. In addition, they must understand and participate in the research process.

 

Strategic Objectives:

 

a.  Discuss and highlight the most current research in classes and clinic.

Responsible individuals:  Faculty and Staff

Reporting Practice:  Each semester

b.  Integrate academic and clinical learning.

Responsible individuals:  Faculty and Staff

Reporting Practice:  Monthly

c.  Encourage students to work on research projects with faculty/staff.

Responsible individuals: Faculty and Staff

Reporting Practice:  Yearly

 

3.  Encourage student participation in department decision-making. (WSU “Attracting, Engaging, and Retaining Qualified Students” Goal 2)

Rationale:  This priority focuses on enhancing and complementing classroom and clinical learning. Student involvement in department decision-making will support responsible community living and increase leadership skills

 

Strategic Objectives:

 

a. Continue to review, summarize, and use student input from exit interviews and alumni surveys to aid in program decision-making.

Responsible individuals:  Graduate Coordinator
and Department Chair

Reporting Practice: Yearly

b. Elect students to serve on CSD department Advisory Board.

Responsible individuals: Department Chair

Reporting Practice: Yearly

 

 

4.  Strengthen the link between the department and the community. (WSU “Academic Programs, Priorities, and Personnel,” Goals 1 and 2)

Rationale: The CSD department, through its courses and clinic, has a link to the WSU and larger community. These links can be strengthened through activities such as summer camps and outreach efforts.

 

Strategic Objectives:

 

a. Provide community service activities.

Responsible individuals:  Clinic Director,
Clinic Supervisors, Faculty Members

Reporting Practice:  Yearly

b. Encourage community service as part of May is Better Hearing and Speech Month.

Responsible individuals:  Clinic Director

Reporting Practice:  Yearly

c. Continue to offer CEU activities 2x/year.

Responsible individuals:  Members of
CEU Committee

Reporting Practice:  Each semester

 

5. Maintain retention and student success indicators. (WSU “Attracting, Engaging, and Retaining Qualified Students” Goal 3)

Rationale:  Data are collected each semester on the graduate advising process. A graduate program can be a time of stress for students. Faculty-staff- student interactions need to be monitored for: 1.  quality of interactions, and 2. substance of information.   

 

Strategic Objectives:

 

a. Monitor and make necessary changes on academic advising data.

Responsible individuals: Department Chair

Reporting Practice: Each semester

b. Encourage students to approach faculty and staff other than at advising times.

Responsible individuals:  Department members

Reporting Practice:  Yearly

 

c. Offer tutoring in basic science information that underlies the disorder courses.

Responsible individuals:  Graduate Coordinator
and Department Chair

Reporting Practice:  Each semester