Welcome

The School of Speech and Hearing Sciences at the University of Southern Mississippi includes an undergraduate program in Speech and Hearing Sciences, a graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology, and a doctoral (Au.D.) program in audiology. Faculty and practicum supervisors work  closely with majors in each discipline to shape and refine the knowledge and skills required to serve the communication needs of individuals at all ages. 

Students who choose these fields care about, have compassion for, and are empathetic to the needs of people. They are honest with themselves and others, especially those they serve. Professional dedication is also a must given the rapid pace of the programs and the immense amount of information that has to be learned and applied. If you feel you possess these qualities, then a career in the communication sciences may be right for you. 

Use our web pages to learn more about the School of Speech and Hearing Sciences--the people who work here, the degrees we offer, and the professional services we provide. 

Feel free to contact us with questions that aren't addressed on our web pages. Even better, stop by and say "Hello." If you let us know of your visit ahead of time, we can usually arrange for someone to meet with you. 

Steven J. Cloud, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

 

ACCREDITATION STATEMENT

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) and the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) education program in audiology (residential) at The University of Southern Mississippi are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD  20850; 800.498.2071 or 301.296.5700.

 

MISSION

The School of Speech and Hearing Science’s mission is:

1. To provide undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs that challenge the student to achieve the highest standards of academic learning, scientific inquiry, and clinical excellence. 
2. To prepare graduates of the undergraduate program to be successful in graduate programs in the speech and hearing sciences.
3. To sufficiently prepare graduates of the master’s and doctoral degree programs to meet all credentialing requirements to enter professional practice.

VISION

The School of Speech and Hearing Sciences is a community of scholars and practitioners educating students through best practice models in diverse academic and clinical learning experiences, research, and service.

 

STRATEGIC PLAN

1. Student Success and Access
   • The School of Speech and Hearing Sciences will foster a student-centered, outcome-based teaching and learning environment. 

     1. Develop course syllabi that illustrate how outcomes will be demonstrated through course work and clinical experiences.

     2. Monitor student’s achievement of knowledge and skill outcomes across the time-span of the program.

     3. Use evidence-based practice and research to guide and evaluate all academic and clinical programs.

     4. Include all graduate students in clinical learning experiences.

     5. Engage students in and inform students about professional organizations through promotion of participation in those organizations.

     6. Conduct ongoing evaluation of outcome-based education, modify policy as indicated, and disseminate findings.

     7. Provide opportunities for students to engage in evidence-based practice to foster professional growth.

     8. Promote scholarly study in the areas of normal communication, linguistic variation, and communication disorders in culturally and linguistically diverse populations.

     9. Engage in best clinical practices concerning prevention, identification, and treatment for culturally and linguistically diverse populations.

2. Enhance Research and Graduate Education
   • The School of Speech and Hearing Sciences will maintain high quality graduate programs. 

     1. Increase opportunities for all students to participate in research.

     2. Increase participation of graduate students in faculty member’s scholarly activities.

     3. Provide ongoing assessment of curricula and modify if needed to promote highest quality undergraduate and graduate programs.

     4. Optimize off-campus clinical training opportunities and maintain relationships with current off-site clinical supervisors.

     5. Provide continuing education opportunities of internal and external clinical preceptors.

     6. Encourage faculty participation and leadership in professional organizations.

     7. Provide avenues of success for faculty to increase the number of publications in peer-review publications.

     8. Provide avenues of success for faculty to increase the number of external grant submissions.

3. Community Engagement
   • The School of Speech and Hearing Sciences will engage in best clinical practices in services provided to the community with regard to prevention, identification, and treatment for culturally and linguistically diverse populations. 
4. University-Community Engagement & Excellence in Health Care
   • The School of Speech and Hearing Sciences will provide competent and comprehensive clinical services to the community, as well as:

     1. Develop new clinical programs when need arises.

     2. Collaborate with other programs at the University of Southern Mississippi in the provision of health and human services to individuals and families in the community.

     3. Collaborate with regional services agencies in the provision of health and human services to individuals and families in the community.

   • The School of Speech and Hearing Sciences will use best practices to create and sustain partnerships in the University community.

     1. Cultivate an environment conductive to fully shared decision making.

     2. Engage in open, honest, and frequent communication with established and potential community partners.

     3. Conduct ongoing evaluations of progress toward collaboration.

     4. Institutionalize best practices from collaborative efforts.

 

GOALS

1. Teaching

   • To encourage learning based on rational inquiry, problem solving, challenge, creativity and intellectual initiative

   • To provide educational experiences that allow student clinicians to gain knowledge and skills in assessment and management procedures

   • To prepare citizens (students) who will actively endorse and practice the highest ideals of personal and professional integrity and competence.

2. Research
   • To provide student clinicians with opportunities to develop an appreciation of research and to learn the methodology and application of research consistent with their chosen areas of specialization and career goals.
3. Service

   • To provide services to nonacademic communities that are reasonable and practical extensions of instruction and research

   •  To improve relationships between academic and nonacademic communities in the surrounding area through provision of quality services

   •  A 'total' or interdisciplinary philosophy towards client/pupil care is operationalized through:

     • Consultation with other professionals regarding assessment, test results, history and follow-up

     • Referral to other professionals when diagnostic or therapeutic needs extend beyond the equipment limitations or expertise of professional staff

     • Treatment in the form of aural rehabilitation, speech, language, voice, swallowing and fluency therapy

     • Counseling and follow-up as needed

4. Prevention 

   • Primary level

     • Encouraging the use of noise, engineering or administrative controls or personal ear protection, where appropriate

     • Encouraging genetic counseling, where appropriate

     • Encouraging medical consultation and follow-through with medical therapy as advised by consulting physicians.

   •  Secondary level

     • Early detection of communicative disorders to include family members

   •  Tertiary level

     • Amplification, aural rehab and speech-language services

 

These goals and objectives are consistent with the mission statements of The School of Speech and Hearing Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Students, faculty, staff and persons served in the program’s clinic are treated in a nondiscriminatory manner – that is, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, participation restriction, age, sexual orientation or status as a parent. The institution and program comply with all applicable laws, regulations and executive orders pertaining thereto.