SKIP TO PAGE CONTENT


Vision of Communication Disorders at WTAMU

It is the vision of the Department of Communication Disorders at WTAMU to be recognized as the most distinguished communication disorders program in the tri-state region.

Mission of Communication Disorders

The WTAMU Department of Communication Disorders’ mission is to:

  • Facilitate mastery of knowledge and skills associated with communication sciences and disorders;
  • Teach students via coursework and practicum to critically think and solve clinical problems using current research;
  • Prepare students for careers in speech-language pathology;
  • Fulfill the need for speech-language pathologists in the Texas Panhandle, the state, and the nation;
  • Advance the academic and professional field of communication sciences and disorders;
  • Practice professionally and ethically based on individual, state, and national-level codes, rules, regulations, and laws;
  • Cultivate interprofessional relationships;
  • Value cultural differences; and
  • Encourage life-long professional learning.

The department's mission is reviewed annually.

Strategic Plan for Communication Disorders

To achieve its vision and mission, the Department of Communication Disorders has outlined a strategic plan.  The faculty routinely discusses the department’s goals as they relate to the mission of the university and guidelines put forth by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).  The faculty regularly reviews and updates policies, curriculum, and research procedures to realize the vision.  To ensure meeting the strategic plan’s goals, the department analyzes pass rates from comprehensive exams and the PRAXIS, admission requirements, curriculum needs, and feedback including survey and interview data from students, alumni, field preceptors, and employers.  

The program’s goals are to provide:

  • An evidence-based curriculum.
    • The department commits to review textbooks at least every two years for new adoptions to stay current with research and clinical practice.
    • The department commits to have faculty complete continuing education courses that focus on current trends in research, clinical practice, and curriculum.
  • Clinical practicum that will produce competent, critically thinking clinicians.
    • The department commits to offer internal and external experiences in educational and medical settings.
    • The department commits to providing students with opportunities to incorporate academic knowledge into clinical experiences as measured by clinical performance evaluations.
  • An undergraduate education that adequately prepares students for competitive nation-wide graduate programs.
    • The department maintains a second admissions policy for undergraduate students.
    • The department maintains rigorous coursework at the undergraduate level.
  • A well-rounded faculty for clinical and academic instruction.
    • The department commits to increase the breadth and depth of our faculty to include various clinical, research, and professional experiences.
    • The department commits to increase the breadth and depth of our faculty to include master's level and tenure-track Ph.D. educators from various clinical, academic, and professional backgrounds.
  • Evidence-based and patient-centered services to the Texas Panhandle and surrounding communities.
    • The department commits to offering the best available clinical services for communication disorders in the state-of-the-art WT Speech and Hearing Clinic.
    • The department commits to continuously evaluate, enhance, and develop the WT Speech and Hearing Clinic’s procedures and programs as an instructional and clinical facility.
    • The department commits to cultivating referral sources and professional relationships to provide the best quality of care and educational experience for both patients and students.

The department's strategic plan is reviewed annually.

Click Here For The Strategic Plan Executive Summary 2021-2024