Mission & Goals

The Graduate Program in Speech-Language Pathology shares Touro College's mission in keeping with the "Jewish commitment to intellectual inquiry, transmission of knowledge and professional career interests in the field through scholarship, research and outreach towards community service. The program is committed to quality education for all, the treatment with integrity and respect for all students, faculty, staff and clients, the role of ethics in the profession and the building of a responsive and a responsible society." A fundamental component of the Speech-Language Pathology program is the acquisition of knowledge and skills, analysis and synthesis of the vast knowledge acquired and the development of critical thinking skills. The program is characterized by the pursuit of "academic rigor and integrity, excellence in instruction, intellectual accomplishment and research and service to the community, within a supportive, diverse and caring environment." It is designed to broaden students' perspectives so they may be better equipped to provide services to the needs of a changing society. Specifically, the program's mission is to prepare highly qualified professionals who can impact the health care environment and enhance the quality of life for individuals and the families they serve. The graduate program provides a variety of educational experiences that are essential to integrating knowledge and skills in preparation for becoming a professional.

Goals & Objectives

1. Provide in–depth knowledge of communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan. 
   
   Students must be able to:
   
   • describe the functional communication and swallowing impairments as well those associated with anatomical, physiological, and neurological anomalies and syndromes.
   • obtain knowledge of a variety of communicative and swallowing impairments and associated risk factors.
2. Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 
   
   Students must be able to:
   
   • apply knowledge of research literature to evaluate and treat individuals with communication and swallowing impairments.
   • differentially evaluate individuals with communication and swallowing disorders.
   • analyze their own clinical skills, respond appropriately to constructive criticism from others, and develop strategies for improvement.
   • design and execute research under the direction of faculty.
3. Enhance written and oral communication skills, and information literacy. 
   
   Students must be able to:
   
   • develop evaluation reports that reflect the nature of the individual’s communicative and/or swallowing disorder.
   • formulate written treatment plans with objectives and goals that, when implemented, are likely to result in a change in communication and/or swallowing behaviors.
   • develop appropriate individualized education programs (IEPs) and collaborate with the interdisciplinary teams within school settings.
   • describe the research literature relevant to the specific disorder.
   • understand and use computer technology and application software.
4. Provide the theoretical and applied expertise to select, use, and analyze the methodology available to evaluate and treat individuals with communication and swallowing disorders. 
   
   Students must be able to:
   
   • collect and interpret background information relevant to the assessment process from available sources.
   • select, administer, and/or adapt standardized and non-standardized measures of communicative abilities to meet individual client needs.
   • determine an individual’s need for services, the level of service needed, the appropriate intervention model required, and referral services as appropriate.
   • construct a functional, ecologically valid intervention plan that includes specific short and long-term objectives to meet the needs of the “whole client”.
   • select and consistently implement appropriate intervention techniques to meet the client’s identified needs and modify these as needed.
   • evaluate and treat a diverse population, taking into account individual differences and needs.
5. Prepare students for a career in the profession of Speech-Language Pathology 
   
   Students must be able to:
   
   • identify local, state, and federal regulatory guidelines governing service delivery.
   • select appropriate materials and methods relevant to the evaluation and treatment of individuals with specific communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan.
   • be prepared for the national examination in Speech-Language Pathology (Praxis).
   • document and communicate intervention outcomes to supervisors, clients, family members, classroom teachers, and other educational personnel, as well as other professionals effectively.
   • establish and maintain an effective relationship with the client’s family, educators, and other professionals to improve services to the client.
   • recognize and respect cultural variations and individualized differences in family systems/functions.
6. Provide the concepts and model the behaviors indicative of ethical practice within the profession of Speech-Language Pathology. 
   
   Students must be able to:
   
   • identify social, ethnic, cultural, and environmental variations that influence speech and language development, use, and test performance.
   • understand and be able to apply the ethical principles outlined in the ASHA code of ethics, ASHA scope of practice for Speech-Language Pathologists, NYS practice guidelines, including confidentiality and privacy of information regarding the client.
   • refer the client to other appropriate professionals when needed, and understand how to advocate for clients.