Communicative Sciences and Disorders - Department Overview

The Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders is housed in the School of Science along with programs in biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, marine and environmental science, physical therapy, and physics.  The department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders and Physical Therapy are a part of the Division of Health Sciences in the School of Science.  The graduate program falls under the auspices of the Graduate College.

With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders is committed to educating the traditional and non traditional student at both the graduate and undergraduate levels for the practice of speech-language pathology.  The undergraduate program is a pre-professional program that prepares students for graduate study.

The objectives of the curricula are:

• To disseminate existing knowledge of speech, language, swallowing and hearing disorders using a multi-disciplinary approach.

• To provide clinical experience in the appropriate procedures for prevention, recognition, assessment/diagnosis and treatment of organic and nonorganic speech, language, swallowing and hearing disorders.

• To prepare students to meet the minimum requirements for subsequent professional certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Strategic Plan Update

The goals of the department’s strategic plan are:

• To maintain quality programs, enhanced through rigorous and scheduled review.
• To employ high quality assessment of student performance and program effectiveness.
• To obtain global presence through outstanding teaching, research and service

To assist in meeting the goals of the department’s strategic plan, the department was awarded Title III funds to update its technology. With these funds, the department purchased new equipment and computers for the speech science laboratory and a closed- circuit audio-visual system for conducting live observations and for producing recorded observations of clinical practice in the Hampton University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic in order to enhance clinical instruction.

Additionally, the department has continued its efforts to provide an instructional program that operates within the guidelines of the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. With these guidelines in mind, the department completed a self-study, spearheaded by Mrs. Katheryn Bush during the 2008-2009 academic year. The department surveyed employers of its graduates, clients, alumni and current students to evaluate program outcomes. The department also conducted an internal review of the curriculum, the method used for tracking student progress and the departmental resources needed to support attainment of program outcomes. The results of the self-study support that the department offers a quality program. The results also provide a pathway for continued success and growth.

Mr. John Spuill’s professional profile is featured in Laura Justice’s book “Communication Sciences and Disorders: A Contemporary Perspective”, second edition. Published by Allyn and Bacon (2009).

Clinic Update

During the 2008-2009 academic year, the faculty, staff and students in the department, under the direction of Mrs. Cheryl Freeman, provided over 1700 clinical assessments and treatment for 222 clients in the Hampton Roads Area. Over fourteen sites were served including Poquoson Public Schools, Calvary Seventh Day Adventist School, St. Mary Star of the Sea School, New Life Christian School, Fox Hill Private School, Downtown Hampton Child Development Centers, Hampton University Child Development Center and OHA Head Start Centers of Hampton and Newport News and OHA 4-year old Initiative Program in Hampton.

Faculty Update

Dr. Robert Screen (Professor)
Was awarded ‘The Nobel Prize’ by The Honor’s College of Hampton University in January of 2009. The award is in recognition of Dr. Screen efforts to recruit, retain and graduate scholar athletes for the women’s and men’s tennis teams. For several years, members of the men’s and women’s tennis teams have not only won state and national championships they have consistently made the Dean’s List as well.

Mr. John Spruill (Assistant Professor)
Mr. Spruill served as a committee member and moderator for the School of Science’s Annual Research Symposium.

Mrs. Katheryn Bush (Clinical Supervisor)
Presented a 1-hour seminar on Legal Alert for AAC Service Providers at the Annual Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in November of 2008.