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Strategic Plan
SEPTEMBER 2020 –SEPTEMBER 2025

Mission Statements:

Florida Atlantic University – Mission Statement

College of Education – Mission Statement

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders – Mission Statement

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Mission

Our mission is to prepare highly qualified, capable, and ethical professionals who engage in reflective decision-making and promote and sustain authentic change and excellence while exceeding the department's and ASHA's guidelines for clinical and academic preparation in speech-language pathology. Furthermore, we are committed to advancing research in typical and atypical speech, language, and hearing processes to enhance clinical and academic knowledge to address the evolving needs of a global society. Through evidence-based methodologies and emerging technologies, we endeavor to provide comprehensive speech, language, and hearing diagnostic and habilitation/ rehabilitation services to Florida Atlantic students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community. Additionally, we strive to serve as a vital resource for the University, as well as for local, state, national, and international communities, offering expertise as consultants, liaisons, lecturers, facilitators, master clinicians, researchers, and authorities in the various areas of communication disorders.

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.
William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) Irish poet and dramatist

Vision:

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Florida Atlantic University is dedicated to excellence in academic preparation, clinical education, research, and service to the community. The department is committed to preparing entry-level clinicians who utilize evidence-based practices in the clinical environment, adhere to ethical standards professionally and personally, employ critical thinking and self-analysis, aspire to exceptional quality in clinical practice, utilize technology to further treatment and research goals, and recognize the value of life-long learning.

Core Values:

  • Research
  • Commitment to excellence
  • Leadership
  • Independence
  • Respect
  • Mentoring
  • Scholarship
  • Cultural and ethnic diversity
  • Internal and external collegiality and collaboration
  • Professional and personal ethics and integrity
The object of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives.
Robert Maynard Hutchins (1899–1977) Educational Philosopher
The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.
Mark Van Doren (1894-1972) Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and critic.
LONG-TERM PROGRAM GOAL OBJECTIVES ATTAINMENT STRATEGIES SCHEDULE FOR ANALYSIS MECHANISM FOR REGULAR EVALUATION
1. The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders will meet, or exceed, all current CAA accreditation standards.
  • To show compliance with CAA standards.
  • To submit CAA annual report documenting compliance with all standards and evidence of continuous improvement.
  • To remain in compliance with all CAA standards.
  • Submit CAA annual report.
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  • Yearly, Aug 1
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  • CAA evaluation
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  • Regular review and calibration of CAs and curriculum review.
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  • 1x during fall semester; 1x during spring semester
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  • Faculty, as a whole, will review assessment system data and discuss modification.
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  • Representation on COE Assessment Committee.
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  • 4-6x per year
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  • The Department will maintain representation on the COE Assessment Committee.
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  • Updating of CSD website, brochures, FAU catalog.
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  • Ongoing
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  • • The Department Chair will solicit faculty input for changes to brochures and the FAU catalog.
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  • Review of CSD Strategic Plan
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  • 1x in fall semester
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  • All faculty will review the strategic plan and provide input for modifications.
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    LONG-TERM PROGRAM GOAL OBJECTIVES ATTAINMENT STRATEGIES SCHEDULE FOR ANALYSIS MECHANISM FOR REGULAR EVALUATION
    2. Students will demonstrate the critical knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level, independent practice in the field of speech-language pathology.
  • Use of educational methods that reflect developments and trends in technology and clinical practice
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  • Faculty and adjunct clinical supervisors complete continuing education requirements to maintain Florida licensure and ASHA CCC-SLP
  • Ongoing
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  • Faculty and adjunct clinical supervisors provide copy of FL license and verification of CCC-SLP
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  • Deliver coursework and clinical experiences that encourage interprofessional education (IPE) and interprofessional practice (IPP)
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  • Coordinate coursework with the university’s IPE Office
  • Invite speakers from related disciplines to engage with CSD graduate students
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  • 2x per academic year
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  • Curriculum review by faculty.
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  • Use and maintain clinical equipment and technology
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  • Faculty members will monitor equipment during clinical experiences and research activities and report concerns to the Department Chair
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  • Ongoing
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  • Log of maintenance, repair and use
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  • Evaluate and strengthen academic and clinical programs
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  • Curriculum review and revision, if indicated.
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  • Record discussion in department or committee minutes.
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    LONG-TERM PROGRAM GOAL OBJECTIVES ATTAINMENT STRATEGIES SCHEDULE FOR ANALYSIS MECHANISM FOR REGULAR EVALUATION
    3. Strengthen use and understanding of evidence-based practice.
  • Link academic content to clinical practice.
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  • Include clinical faculty in implementation and delivery of program objectives
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  • Ongoing
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  • Document in meeting minutes.
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  • Increase understanding of EBP
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  • Provide information on EBP and best practices
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  • 1x per year
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  • Discussion and review documented in meeting minutes.
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  • Faculty/Supervisor meetings with specific agenda and/or topics for discussion.
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  • 1x per semester
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  • Document in meeting minutes.
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    LONG-TERM PROGRAM GOAL OBJECTIVES ATTAINMENT STRATEGIES SCHEDULE FOR ANALYSIS MECHANISM FOR REGULAR EVALUATION
    4. Increase visibility of CSD department and clinical services on campus and in the community, and professionally.
  • Increase the FAU community’s awareness of the Department and on-campus Clinic.
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  • Investigate interdisciplinary collaborations for research.
  • Announce activities on University calendar.
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  • Ongoing
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  • Discuss and record in department minutes.
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  • Increase community knowledge of department and services provided.
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  • Expand development of community partnerships.
  • Be available for participation in community groups.
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  • Ongoing
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  • Discuss and record in department minutes.
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  • Increase variety of clients
  • Increase marketing efforts in the community.
  • Reach out to non-native English speakers on campus to improve use of language and improve use of English prosody, stress, pronunciation, etc.
  • Investigate additional third-party payers. Investigate increased need for documentation and billing support.
  • Investigate feasibility of CDC becoming Medicaid provider.
  • Continue global outreach through possible expansion of tele-therapy services
  • Engage in Better Speech and Hearing Month promotions.
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  • Yearly at end of spring term
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  • Discuss and record in department minutes.
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    LONG-TERM PROGRAM GOAL OBJECTIVES ATTAINMENT STRATEGIES SCHEDULE FOR ANALYSIS MECHANISM FOR REGULAR EVALUATION
    5. Improve support to faculty and students for research and scholarly activities.
    • To further faculty research capabilities.
    • Work to increase submission of CoE/FAU technology grants
    • Use CDC funds (if available) for continuing education
    • Pursue supplemental tuition proposals, as conditions warrant
    • Ongoing
    • Discuss and record in department minutes.
    • To develop students’ skills in basic and applied research
    • Increase student opportunities for research in laboratory and real-world settings under the mentorship of faculty with research expertise.
    • Document and record the percentage of students involved in research activities.
    LONG-TERM PROGRAM GOAL OBJECTIVES ATTAINMENT STRATEGIES SCHEDULE FOR ANALYSIS MECHANISM FOR REGULAR EVALUATION
    6. Work to improve diversity of faculty, staff, students, and clients.
    • To increase opportunities across cultures for employment in the field of communication sciences and disorders.
    • Recruitment of a diverse pool of students
    • Recruitment of diverse faculty
    • Ongoing
    • Assess cultural representation of faculty, staff, students, and clients.
    • To provide speech, language, and, where applicable, swallowing services across cultures.
    • Marketing of clinic to diverse areas
    • ract with clinical sites serving a diverse population of clients
    • Ongoing
    • Use of clinic marketing materials
    • Feedback from externship students.
    LONG-TERM PROGRAM GOAL OBJECTIVES ATTAINMENT STRATEGIES SCHEDULE FOR ANALYSIS MECHANISM FOR REGULAR EVALUATION
    7. To enhance inclusion and respectful engagement with different groups.
    • To assure that all people are comfortable in the department and clinic.
    • Discuss (and redesign as needed) academic and clinical initiatives so that they fit all cultural beliefs and practices.
    • Ongoing
    • Survey students and clients with respect to suitable engagement; meet with students, faculty, and/or staff upon request.