“A Training Program in Speech-Language Pathology for Scholars to Work in High Poverty Schools”
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In 2024, the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders was awarded a $1.26 million grant from the US Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to train a diverse group of speech-language pathology scholars (SLPs). A minimum of twenty-four (24) high achieving scholars, selected over a period of three years, will receive scholarships for graduate education and must commit to at least three years of employment in high need early intervention settings.  This grant aims to mitigate the persistent shortage of SLPs, especially those working with young children. In so doing, it also addresses the “Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)” (2004) mandate that all school districts have enough SLPs to meet the needs of every special education student requiring speech/language services.

The training program is a two-year program that requires completion of fifty-one (51) credit hours including the completion and presentation/publication of a research project in an area pertaining to early intervention. Each scholar must also achieve a score of at least 84% on the graduate comprehensive examination. A seminar series has been implemented and a certificate program in early intervention has been added to the curriculum. Additional specialized training is achieved through field trips, clinical experiences, coursework for identified classes, and other activities that highlight early intervention.  Evidence-based practices that include person-centered care and interprofessional practice are integrated into coursework, research projects, and clinical experiences to ensure the achievement of project specific student competencies.