Master of Science in Communicative Disorders
College of Health Sciences

Communicative Disorders offers a program leading to the Master of Science degree in Communicative Disorders.  Students enrolled in this program are trained to prevent, screen, assess, identify, diagnose, refer, and provide treatment and intervention to persons of all ages and cultural/ethnic backgrounds, with, or at risk for disorders of speech, voice, language, swallowing and other disabilities.  Students learn to counsel individuals with communicative disorders and their families, caregivers and other service providers, and to select, prescribe, dispense, and provide services supporting the effective use of augmentative and alternative communication devices and other communication prostheses and assistive devices.

Accreditation:

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology residential program at Jackson State University is 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.

Students who successfully complete the program will meet the academic and clinical requirements for (a) license granted by the Mississippi State Department of Health, (b) the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and, (c) Standard Educator License Speech Pathologist (Class AA) awarded by the Mississippi State Department of Education.

Mission of the Department:

The mission of the Communicative Disorders department is to provide quality education to pre-professional and graduate students from diverse populations who are majoring in Communicative Disorders by offering educational experiences that require the application of knowledge of normal and abnormal communication, critical thinking, data analysis, the use of professional oral and written communication, and the infusion of technology, when possible, for the prevention, assessment and intervention of communication disorders.  The program in graduate education will guide graduate students to:  (a) acquire the knowledge and develop the skills, competencies and attitudes that are essential for the prevention, assessment and intervention of communicative disorders, and the safe, effective, and efficient practice of entry-level speech-language pathology, (b) develop the ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate data, and to conduct research, (c) provide professional and public service to local, state, national, and world communities, (d) continue their professional growth by exploring developments in the profession and learning new models of prevention, assessment and intervention, and (e) develop an understanding and appreciation of ethnic and cultural diversity on normal and disordered communication.

Program Objectives:

The objectives of the Master of Science in Communicative Disorders Program are to:

• Educate students independently, effectively and safely to:

(a)    differentiate between normal and abnormal communication, as well as normal and abnormal swallowing patterns;

(b)   diagnose and treat persons of all ages who have speech, voice, language, communication and swallowing disorders; and,

(c)    habilitate and/or rehabilitate infants, children and adults with hearing loss.

• Equip students to ask relevant questions and provide appropriate information to patients, their families, caregivers and other service providers regarding the prevention, diagnosis and management of disorders of human communication and swallowing.
• Facilitate clinical experiences that will train students to provide clinical services in a variety of settings including community clinics, hospitals, private practices, schools and university settings.
• Prepare students to meet the academic and clinical requirements for licensure established by the Mississippi State Department of Health and the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology awarded by ASHA.
• Guide students to evaluate developments in the professions, and conduct research in:

(a)    the normal processes of language, speech, hearing and swallowing; and,

(b)   the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of human communication and swallowing.

• Assist students to develop sensitivity to and appreciation of diversity in society, so that they:

(a)    take into consideration individual differences in the provision of clinical services,

(b)   do not discriminate in the delivery of services on the basis of race or ethnicity, age, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability; and,

(c)    work effectively with other professionals who may be different from them in respect to race or ethnicity, age, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability.

• Prepare students for advanced programs of study in communicative disorders.
• Encourage the pursuit of continued professional growth through continuing education.
• Offer educational programs that will:

(a)    promote the maintenance of current knowledge and skills of speech-language pathologists in the Jackson community; and,

(b)   provide the general public with information regarding the prevention, nature, diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders and swallowing disorders.

• Provide professional and public services to local, state, national and world communities.
• Encourage students to develop high standards of integrity, responsibility and ethics, so that they:

(a)    hold paramount the welfare of patients they serve;

(b)   provide services only in areas in which they are competent; and,

(c)    adhere to the fundamentals of ethical conduct.