Mission, Vision, Goals & Strategic Plans

SHU Communication Disorders Vision‎

SHU Communication Disorders Mission Statement

The Department of Communication Disorders provides a supportive, inclusive, state-of-the-art learning environment to prepare students to serve effectively the unique needs of individuals across the lifespan with competence and compassion. Students will be equipped with foundational academic and clinical knowledge and skills acquired through innovative classroom, problem-based, and simulation learning experiences; mentored research; guided clinical experiences; and compelling educational domestic and international service opportunities. Focus on culturally inclusive, holistic, evidence-based and ethical practice, and collaborative learning across professions will inspire our students to communicate effectively with clients from a variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and to lead others through their exemplary adherence to the highest standards of contemporary practice. 

Communication Disorders Department Goals

1. To enable each student to acquire the knowledge and skills in sufficient breadth and depth to function as an effective, well-educated, and competent clinical speech-language pathologist consistent with the scope of practice for speech-language pathology, and across the range of practice settings by ensuring that each student:
   
   • demonstrates knowledge of basic biological and physical sciences, statistics, and the social/behavioral sciences; as well as basic human communication and swallowing processes, including the appropriate biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural bases. They will demonstrate the ability to integrate information pertaining to normal and abnormal human development across the lifespan.
   • demonstrates knowledge of communication and swallowing disorders and differences, including the appropriate etiologies, characteristics, anatomical/physiological, acoustic, psychological, developmental and linguistic and cultural correlates.
   • demonstrates current knowledge of the principles and methods of prevention, assessment and intervention for people with communication and swallowing disorders, including consideration of anatomical/physiological, psychological, developmental and linguistic and cultural correlates.
   • demonstrates skills for working with people with communication and swallowing disorders and differences, including:
     
     • identification, prevention, assessment and evaluation of speech, language and swallowing disorders and differences;
     • intervention to minimize the impact of speech, language, and swallowing disorders and differences;
     • interaction with clients, their families and other professionals.
2. To provide opportunities for each student to acquire professional knowledge and skills in working with individuals with communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan, as demonstrated by:
   
   • ethical conduct;
   • integration and application of knowledge of the interdependence of speech, language, and hearing;
   • engagement in critical thinking and problem solving;
   • engagement in contemporary professional issues and advocacy;
   • engaging in processes of clinical education and supervision;
   • professionalism and professional behavior in keeping with the expectations for a speech-language pathologist;
   • interaction skills and personal qualities, including counseling and collaboration with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
3. To ensure that, through course content and supervised clinical experiences, each student demonstrates the following attributes and abilities, as defined by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology:
   
   • Accountability
   • Integrity
   • Effective Communication Skills
   • Clinical Reasoning
   • Evidence-Based Practice
   • Concern for Individuals Served
   • Cultural Competence
   • Professional Duty
   • Collaborative Practice
4. To prepare students to qualify for national certification, state licensure and Connecticut Teacher Endorsement, and for participation in state and national professional organizations.

• CHP Strategic Plan 2020-25
• CMD Strategic Plan 2023-26