The mission of the Department of Communication Disorders is to build belonging, achievement, and growth through Christlike service to:

  • Empower lifelong learners
  • Engage in impactful research
  • Provide compassionate, evidence-based clinical care

The department’s core values are Belonging, Becoming, Collaboration and Kindness. 

The department offers both undergraduate and graduate (MS) degrees in the discipline of communication disorders. The programs prepare students who have both strong academic knowledge in the field of communication disorders and a desire to apply this knowledge to remediate communication disorders across the life span.

The mission of the department thus aligns with institutional objectives of educating the minds and spirits of students, advancing truth and knowledge, and extending the blessings of this knowledge to individuals outside the university.

Outcomes

Undergraduate Program

  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of core concepts in communication sciences and disorders, including typical and atypical language, hearing and speech. 
  • Students will be able to apply critical thinking skills to communication sciences and disorders, including preclinical and research experiences, professional communications, and synthesis of core concepts. 
  • Students will be able to identify core elements of professionalism such as ethics, equity, advocacy, bias, social justice, health disparities, access to services, cultural competence, implementing feedback, and so forth.

Graduate Program

  • Students will demonstrate applied knowledge in communication disorders, including typical and atypical speech and language across the lifespan and across diverse cultural and linguistic populations. 
  • Students will demonstrate competence in assessment, treatment, case management, and clinical writing related to clients presenting with various communication disorders across the lifespan and across diverse cultural and linguistic populations. 
  • Students will demonstrate competence in (a) synthesizing, analyzing, and reporting communication disorders research and (b) applying evidence-based practice.