Mission
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
School of Communicative Disorders
Strategic Plan Document
Originally Finalized Nov. 4, 2008
Updated Sept. 23, 2010
Mission for the Graduate Program in Speech Language Pathology in the School of Communicative Disorders
The mission of the graduate program in the School of Communicative Disorders at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is to provide a foundation of professional preparation in speech-language pathology. The program fosters analytical thinking through research opportunities and facilitates application to clinical practice. Learning opportunities are provided to students to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to competently assess and treat individuals with speech, language, hearing, and/or swallowing disorders from diverse backgrounds in a variety of work settings.
Mission for the Undergraduate Program in the School of Communicative Disorders
The mission of the undergraduate program in the School of Communicative Disorders at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is to provide students a liberal education that prepares them to be global citizens. Students develop beginning knowledge and clinical skills in the area of communicative disorders. Upon completion of this pre-professional program, students are eligible to apply to a graduate program leading to a Master’s of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology and/or a Clinical Doctorate in Audiology.
Mission of the University of Wisconsin AuD Consortium (University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point)
The mission of the Wisconsin AuD Consortium is as follows:
- To prepare students to enter the profession of audiology fully able to function as independent audiologists in private practice, medical clinics, and school settings.
- To provide a strong theoretical, technical, and scientific base for the clinical practice of audiology.
- To prepare students to meet certification and licensure requirements for the practice of clinical audiology.
- To prepare students to be life-long learners.
- To instill in the students the value of giving back to the profession and the community.
Vision Statement
In 10 years, the School of Communicative Disorders will be recognized by potential students, employers and consumers as the premier training program of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists in the state of Wisconsin and as a major service provider in the area of speech and language, and audiology.
Envisioned Future
In response to the shortage of speech-language pathologists and audiologists, by 2018, the School of Communicative Disorders (ComD) will have 18 full time faculty. Because of the increase in full time faculty, the ComD will have enrolled 150-200 undergraduate majors and 60 graduate students majoring in Speech-Language Pathology. There will also be a total of 24 students at UWSP enrolled in our joint Au.D. program with the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The School of Communicative Disorders will provide many of the undergraduate courses on-line and this would be a way of targeting students having degrees in other areas, and wish to pursue a degree in Communicative Disorders or take the prerequisite coursework that will make them eligible to apply to our graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology or to our joint Au.D. program.
All clinical and research technology will be current and “state of the art.” This new technology will prepare students for their future profession. In addition, because of this new clinical and research technology will become a major recruiting tool for new faculty and students. This will provide more research opportunities for faculty members to conduct research.
This overall expansion of the Department and the Center for Communicative Disorders will make it possible to be an insurance provider. There will be a total of three support staff with one position exclusively devoted to third party billing. Becoming an insurance provider will increase the number of individuals being seen at our Center for Communicative Disorders. In the Central Wisconsin area, our center will also become a major Speech-Language and Audiology Center.
The Center for Communicative Disorders will be updated and will have a more professional atmosphere. Therapy rooms and audiological rooms will also be updated and all rooms will be equipped with new digital video systems that clinical supervisors will be able to supervise students from their offices using their office computers. The clinic will meet all HIPPA requirements, which will allow The Center for Communicative Disorders to bill electronically. A computer practice management system will be implemented, which will allow the clinic to run more efficiently. This system will allow for managing client information, making appointments, tracking client accounts, billing, electronically submitting insurance claims, and general accounting functions.
Strategic Plan
Focus Area 1: Staffing
Add highly qualified faculty and staff to the School of Communicative Disorders (ComD) to support high quality academic and clinical education experiences for students and provide opportunities to support research for faculty and staff.
Issue:
As indicated in the Visionary Statement, if UWSP School of Communicative Disorder is to be recognized as the premier training program in the State more staffing is needed in order to ensure adequate academic and clinical training and address the national shortage of speech-language pathologists and audiologists.
Indicator of Success:
Five new faculty positions and staff hired. Possible combination of tenure-track and academic staff hired. One administrative support staff hired.
Strategies to Achieving Focus Area:
- By 2009 one new academic staff position (not tenure track) by increasing SLP graduate student enrollment by +5 students. Met 9/2010
- By 2011, the SCD will document the workload necessary to justify one new faculty position and one administration staff position. Submitted but denied 10/2010. Will re-submit at a later time
- By 2015, the SCD will document the workload to justify the University to give permission to hire two new faculty/staff positions.
- By 2018, the SCD will document the workload to justify the University to give permission to hire two new faculty/staff positions.
- Need administrative support: (1) insurance billing, (2) other funding sources.
Need faculty – 100% job placement rate
- Outreach courses offered distance
- Multiple sections of undergraduate courses, each semester
- Undergraduate courses offered online
- Smaller graduate classes
- To take advantage of off campus practicum opportunities
Focus Area 2: Technology
Issue:
Current technology is out dated and affecting student preparation, on going research, and service delivery.
Indicator of Success:
SCD will update the following technology across the department:
- Accessing new video observation system, (update motor speech lab) and teletherapy technology,
- Clinic practice management system (billing, patient information system, accounting, and scheduling). Being implemented.
- SAMs (computer tracking of student learning outcomes). Implemented.
- Develop a systematic replacement plan for Departmental Technology
- New practice management system by Spring 2009. Met 6/2009 have Timms Management program
- The video observation system will be operational by Fall 2009. Met 6/2009
- Updated motor speech and Teletherapy technology by 2012. In progress?
- SAMs receiving training and implemented by Spring 2009. Training of some staff completed implementation 5/2011
- Departmental Technology Plan for replacing technology by 2010. Have met 9/2010 with the Technician and have developed a list of equipment and dates when purchased and a means of setting priority for purchasing new equipment.
Strategies to Achieving Focus Area:
Seek UW System grants, private and federal grants, and other funding sources to upgrade technology, and use departmental resources.
Needs
- LENA speech recording – P. Terrell
- Vestibular testing equipment – David
- Electronic billing
- Electronic patient files with laptops dream like Marshfield – can they help us? Would need staff to implement
- Smartboard in 024, 104?
Focus Area 3:
Recruitment of high quality undergraduate students into the major and recruit high quality students into our graduate program.
Issue:
- Limited university-wide resources to aid in recruitment of undergraduates into Communicative Disorders.
- Limited undergraduate scholarships for incoming students.
- Limited allocations of graduate assistantships.
- Limited knowledge of profession of speech-language pathology and audiology for undergraduates.
Indicator of Success:
- More uUniversity resources put into recruitment materials for Communicative Disorders and other undergraduate majors at UWSP.
- Dean’s award for Outstanding Freshman
- Develop freshman scholarship NSSHLA spring/GPA overall
- Outstanding freshman award
- Develop study abroad in Communicative Disorders
- Development of scholarships for undergraduate students majoring in Communicative Disorders. Continue to do.
- Maintain current number of graduate assistantships for new graduate students, as well as, continuing graduate students.
- Work study for an outstanding undergraduate student who has a declared ComD major.
Strategies to Achieving Focus Area:
By 2012, work with the College of Professional Studies development officer to create a source of funding for establishing undergraduate scholarships for Communicative Disorders majors.
By 2009, develop a recruitment plan that will consist of the following:
- Contacting two year, technical and High School Guidance Counselors in the Central Wisconsin region and providing them informational materials regarding Communication Disorders (Speech Language Pathology and Audiology).
- Working with Admissions at UWSP to increase their knowledge of Communication Disorders as a major. Print materials – explain.
- Increase consistency of Communicative Disorders staff involvement in the recruitment process – more staff (do more)
- Visit 2nd year and technical schools to increase awareness and knowledge of professions within 90 mile radius – audience students and advisors, etc.
- Met 9/2010 - Donna visited these campuses as part of a Continuing Education Grant.
Focus Area 4:
Physical Appearance of the Department
Issue:
Outdated appearance of the clinical room furniture, stained ceiling tiles, dirty ceiling vents, and old paint. All of these items affect the professional image of the Department and the Center for Communicative Disorders.
Current office furniture and workspace not in compliance with ergonomic recommendations.
Outcomes:
- Replace ceiling tiles and/or new ceiling and ceiling vents. Met 9/2009
- Update and replace furniture in the therapy rooms, and faculty and staff offices. Met 9/2009
- Paint staff and faculty offices, replace old carpeting as needed in offices, clinical rooms and audiology suites and labs. Paint audiology suites inside.
Indicator of Success:
- New furniture in all, Audiology suites and labs, faculty and support staff offices.
- Carpet will be replaced as needed.
Strategies to Achieving Focus Area:
- By 2012, state funding will be used to replace, paint, and clean ceiling. Met 9/2009
- By 2013, use state funding to update offices with ergonomically recommended workstations and replace carpeting.
- Furniture in faculty/staff offices
- Paint in faculty/staff offices and audiology suites
- Carpet replaced as needed in office, clinic rooms, suites and labs
- Clean vents and filtering system