Graduate Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders Earns Reaccreditation

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Communication Sciences and Disorders Program faculty at an event celebrating the newly reorganized Department of Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy.

The Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders Program in the College of Education and Health Professions has recently been reaccredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation, an extension of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.  

The six main components of accreditation standards for speech-language pathology programs include administrative structure and governance, faculty, curriculum, student data and tracking, assessment, and program resources. Within each of these components, multiple standards must be met to remain in compliance for accreditation. In total, there are over 150 standards, many of which have multiple elements, which a program must demonstrate compliance with to remain accredited. 

"Full reaccreditation is the result of years of hard work, collaboration, and dedication by all our faculty, students, and staff," said Rachel Glade, director of the Communication Sciences and Disorders Program. "Maintaining all accreditation standards through the pandemic was no small feat, so I could not be prouder of our unit." 

Four trained site visitors from the CAA, who were faculty from peer institutions, visited the university in February of 2023. Site visitors reviewed program documentation and visited with faculty, staff, stakeholders, current graduate students, and alumni to verify compliance with all accreditation standards. The last time the program completed a reaccreditation site visit was in 2015. 

The approval letter from the CAA noted the program is in compliance with all the Standards for Accreditation. Glade added, "The final report included high praise for our research activity as well as the clinical education we are providing at the U of A Speech and Hearing Clinic and beyond." 

The reaccreditation status signals to all current and prospective students, faculty, staff, stakeholders and community partners that this program has participated in continuous quality improvement and that the education provided aligns with a core set of skills and values needed to enter professional practice as determined by the accrediting body. 

"The program in Communication Sciences and Disorders maintains an impressive and well-supplied clinical and research laboratory hub for graduate and undergraduate students, which is the U of A Speech and Hearing Clinic," said Jessica Danley, the program's clinical education coordinator. "Although many field placements take place in the community at local outpatient clinics, hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, our students consistently participate in hands-on clinical training on campus as well. Our program was grateful to receive positive feedback and praise on our innovative and successful model for clinical training during our accreditation visit." 

Fran Hagstrom, head of the College of Education and Health Professions Department of Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy, noted, "Along with their work during their time at the U of A, being part of a reaccredited program is a crucial step for a student's future. It really improves our students and our university, to have such a strong program."

Students interested in learning more about the undergraduate major, graduate program, or post-master's certificate programs offered through the Communication Sciences and Disorders Program are encouraged to visit the program website.