Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) is to be among the premier institutions for education, clinical service and research in the discipline of communication sciences and disorders. We strive to educate students in the science and art of CSD with current, relevant knowledge and to foster inter-professional approaches to learning in the broad context of Health and Human Services. The structure of our Department is such that academic faculty partner with clinical faculty and lecturers to provide a unique model of education, clinical service and research. We are committed to developing and ensuring an environment free of discrimination in the classroom, clinic, laboratory, and workplace.
Housed within the Department, our Speech-Language-Hearing Center contributes to our mission by providing an exceptional clinical education to graduate students in speech-language pathology. Our clinic strives to offer the highest level of clinical services to clients of all ages. We use theory and research to foster innovation that impacts our discipline broadly and that is structured to translate research into clinical decision-making.
We promote our educational mission as follows:
1. The goal of our Bachelor of Science program is to prepare students to successfully enter clinical and/or research graduate programs in CSD as well as a variety of other professions. Our emphasis on obtaining a liberal arts education in the context of health and human services allows students to obtain a knowledge base that promotes exploration, creativity, and diversity.
2. Our Master of Science program is designed to train professionals to successfully enter careers as speech-language pathologists. The program emphasizes the integration of theoretical knowledge with advanced clinical skills to meet the necessary requirements for national certification (Certificate of Clinical Competence) and the State of New Hampshire Licensure.
Our Department research mission is structured to:
- Obtain data that inform basic and clinical science in CSD that lead to high impact publications and extramural funding.
- Educate students about research methodology in order to allow them to apply evidence based practice to any setting they choose to work.
- Provide education in research for undergraduate and graduate students using quantitative and qualitative methodology in preparation for entering doctoral programs in pursuit of an academic career.
Vision
To provide national and international leadership in Communication Sciences and Disorders through excellence in academic and clinical education, research, and service in order to advance the field to improve the lives of those with communication needs and disorders. Our vision is driven by the words of Dr. Robert West when he wrote “Therefore, the duty we owe is sacred and our calling gravely important.”
Values
- To maintain the highest level of ethics in all endeavors related to education, clinical service, research, and outreach.
- To promote freedom of expression and thought.
- To foster honesty, integrity, and openness.
- To promote teamwork and inter-professional approaches to education, clinical service, and research and to reward collaboration in our activities.
- To accept the responsibilities and challenges that come with advancement of our field.
- To promote a healthy lifestyle.
- To promote linguistic and cultural diversity.
