The University of Akron is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, a commission of The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The University has been accredited for the term of January 2023 through January 2033.

The Master of Arts (M.A.) education program in speech-language pathology {residential and distance education components} at The University of Akron 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.

The Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) education program at the Northeast Ohio Au.D. Consortium, 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, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

The University of Akron is an Equal Education and Employment Institution. View our Non-Discrimination Statement for more information.

The College of Health and Human Sciences is committed to improving the human condition.  To do so the College values diversity in all forms, including national origin, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status; and seeks to recruit, retain and graduate a diverse student population.

The CHHS focus on diversity demands an environment where respect for others supports meaningful dialogue across broad, interprofessional issues rooted in academic inquiry, research and discovery.  Our graduates are prepared to address the needs of an evolving health care system and value inclusion and the opportunity to serve health needs and promote wellness opportunities to an increasingly diverse community.

Strategic Plan

2021-2025

Mission:

The mission of the Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program is to provide Ohio and the nation with a pool of culturally responsive speech-language pathologists who are dedicated to helping individuals achieve their full potential in the areas of communication, cognition, and swallowing. 

Assessment timeline

This strategic plan will be evaluated over the next five years. Data concerning each goal will be collected and assessed annually.

Goal 1:

Prepares speech-language pathologists through professional education and clinical training who can diagnose and treat a variety of communication, cognitive, and swallowing disorders in a variety of settings;

Program Outcomes for Goal 1:

Graduates of the Speech-Language Pathology Program will:

Be able to demonstrate knowledge of communication and swallowing disorders and differences, including the appropriate etiologies, characteristics, and anatomical/physiological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates.

Be able to demonstrate knowledge of the principles and methods of prevention, assessment, and intervention for persons with communication and swallowing disorders, including consideration of anatomical/ physiological, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates.

Be able to demonstrate knowledge of processes used in research and of the integration of research principles into evidence-based clinical practice.

Be able to demonstrate knowledge of standards of ethical conduct.

Be able to demonstrate knowledge of contemporary professional issues.

Be able to demonstrate skills in oral and written or other forms of communication sufficient for entry into professional practice.

Be able to evaluate and treat clients across communication and swallowing disorders.

Strategies for Goal 1:

Maintain accreditation body requirements that dictate acquisition of employment, graduation, and Praxis pass rates. Expand decision-making and initiatives for student success through data, analysis, and benchmarking. Modify and enhance student learning assessments presently required by accrediting bodies. Conduct recruitment, marketing, scholarships, and pipelines for diversity. Embed cross-cultural principles and understanding within curriculum. Provide opportunity to support to full and part time adult and first-generation learners. Use technology to enhance already existing online learning and to develop additional opportunities. Assure student engagement in experiential learning activities. Provide a continuum of unique experiences that create a passport to post-graduation success. Engage alumni, agencies, and donor base to provide student scholarships and opportunities for community partnerships to provide health and wellness services.

Goal 2:

Enhances service to the professional community through continuing education, mentoring, consulting, joint research and provision of clinical service through contracts;

Program Outcomes for Goal 2:

Consistent with retention, tenure, and promotion guidelines, faculty will engage in scholarly activities and disseminate new knowledge.

Consistent with retention, tenure, and promotion guidelines, faculty will provide service (e.g., mentoring, consulting) to the School, College, University, and community levels.

Develop and maintain clinical training sites and programs that meet needs of a diverse community and align with the scope of practice.

Utilize faculty expertise to provide evidence-based services to the community.

Strategies for Goal 2:

Create policies and systems that reward teaching, research, service, and community engagement. Provide opportunities for faculty to engage in evidence-based services to the community.

Goal 3:

Provides for research and clinical service through entrepreneurship and external funding from federal, state, and local agencies.

Program Outcomes for Goal 3:

Consistent with retention, tenure, and promotion guidelines and Graduate Faculty Status Criteria, faculty will engage in scholarly activities and disseminate new knowledge.

Seek external funding for the development of specialized training programs.

Develop and implement specialized training programs that respond to the clinical needs of clients in our community.

Provide opportunities for students to engage in research initiatives.

Provide opportunities for students to deliver services to the community using innovative service delivery.

Strategies for Goal 3:

Create policies and systems that reward teaching, research, service and community engagement. Create a culture and framework for enhancing interprofessional collaborations and increased external funding within the School. Develop additional degrees/certificates/course offerings responsive to region and the state. Increase entrepreneurial efforts of faculty that enhances health related service to the community and supports the operation of such community partnerships.

Goal 4:

Engages in professional, interprofessional practice and research partnerships in the University, regional, statewide, and national communities.

Program Outcomes for Goal 4:

Provide opportunities for students to engage in interprofessional practice.

Disseminate new knowledge in order to enhance clinical practice. 

Support faculty research.

Create research partnerships locally as well as across the country.

Strategies for Goal 4:

Enhance and expand already existing partnerships with strategic collaborations with external partners in Ohio. Solidify existing partnerships and expand opportunities for provision of health-related training within the community. Expand experiential learning and curricular engagement. Create policies and systems that reward interprofessional teaching, research, service and community engagement. Develop an RTP document that rewards interprofessional collaboration in research, publication, presentation and creative work. Position the School to receive available start-up funding, adequate amount, type and quality of research space. Expand the School’s capacity to engage with other community health related service providers by partnering to advance education, research, and shared resources. Enhance public-private partnerships between the School and health care and educational community. Work with other state training institutions and community partners (e.g., hospitals, long-term care facilities, private practices, etc.) to provide affordable, efficient, and relevant education and services that will provide well trained SLP professionals.

School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology 

Mission Statement

The School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology is an academic program in the College of Health and Human Sciences of The University of Akron. Through professional education, the School prepares highly qualified audiologists and speech-language pathologists who are dedicated to helping individuals achieve their full communication potential. Additionally, the School prepares students who intend to pursue a career in related health care and educational settings. To this end, the School advances excellence in student learning, collaborative clinical service delivery, community service, and the scholarship of discovery, integration, application, and teaching.

Vision Statement

The School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology will be recognized as a national leader in evidence-based clinical training for the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology through knowledge creation and use, and entrepreneurship. This will be accomplished by collaboration with community partners, statewide and national colleagues and universities, and enhancement of interdisciplinary efforts. The school will be acknowledged for its commitment to student success, advancement of professional development, dissemination of research findings, creation of models of collaborative joint programs for advanced degrees, advancement of established distance learning efforts, and entrepreneurial designs for clinical service.

Speech-Language Pathology Masters of Arts (M.A.) Graduate Programs

The mission of the Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program is to provide Ohio and the nation with a pool of culturally responsive speech-language pathologists who are dedicated to helping individuals achieve their full potential in the areas of communication, cognition, and swallowing. To that end, the School:

1. Prepares speech-language pathologists through professional education and clinical training who can diagnose and treat a variety of communication, cognitive, and swallowing disorders in a variety of settings;
2. Enhances service to the professional community through continuing education, mentoring, consulting, joint research and provision of clinical service through contracts;
3. Provides for research and clinical service through entrepreneurship and external funding from federal, state, and local agencies.
4. Engages in professional, interprofessional practice and research partnerships in the University, regional, and statewide communities.
   
   

Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) Graduate Program

• click to visit NOAC website for mission statement
  
  

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor of Arts

The undergraduate program in speech-language pathology and audiology at The University of Akron provides instruction in the basic components of the discipline to prepare the student to apply to a graduate program or obtain employment in related health care or educational settings.

American Sign Language

To ensure student opportunity for developing competencies in conversational American Sign Language while obtaining university credit toward foreign language requirement or elective study.