Augustana to offer master’s degree in speech-language pathology

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at Augustana College 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.

A critical nationwide need for speech-language pathologists has emerged in the last decade, and Augustana is ready to fill the gap. Starting in 2020, students can begin work on their master’s degree in speech-language pathology.

The 24-month program will include extensive coursework, clinical practice at the college’s on-campus Center for Speech, Language, and Hearing, and two full-time clinical externships.

“Augustana has been a top Midwest destination for students looking to receive their bachelor’s in communication sciences and disorders,” said Augustana College President Steve Bahls. “Now, with this master’s program, students can immediately begin their graduate work and provide a great service to the growing population of people needing speech pathology.”

To support the program, the Betsey Brodhal Building will expand to more than double its current size. Construction tentatively is planned for the 2018-19 academic year.

An anonymous lead gift of $500,000 has been donated that will enable the college to name the clinic the Barbara A. Roseman Center for Speech, Language, and Hearing. Roseman is a retired faculty member who, while teaching at Augustana, was passionate about the outreach to the community provided by the clinic, and the opportunities it provided for Augustana students to solve real-life problems for clients.

Plans include:

• Barbara A. Roseman Center for Speech, Language, and Hearing: Therapy rooms will increase from seven to 14 and will be the heart of the clinic. This will allow Augustana to expand its audiology services, including hearing screenings and assessments, hearing aid fittings and management, as well as allow for an increase in individual and group speech and language interventions for children, teens and adults.
• Observation room: Clients' family members will be able to view sessions privately, watch how the client progresses and better learn how they can repeat the activities at home.
• Labs: All faculty members will have their own dedicated lab spaces for research that involves undergraduate and graduate students.
• Faculty and clinical staff offices: This space will accommodate 14 offices, including offices for four new faculty members. Each office will be equipped to video record student clinical sessions for viewing and analysis.

 “Our current students have not only the discipline-specific knowledge needed to succeed in graduate school, but also the broad liberal arts background to excel,” said Dr. Kathy Jakielski, professor of communication and sciences disorders.

“We’re energized thinking about the opportunity to work with our students for an additional two years as they complete the graduate program, which includes serving as interns throughout the Quad-Cities area.”

Dr. Jakielski, along with Dr. Alli Haskill, also a professor of communication sciences and disorders, played a major role in pushing the graduate program forward, first working to gain regional approval for Augustana to be able to offer graduate coursework, and then working toward national accreditation in speech-language pathology, two processes that are ongoing.

Augustana anticipates enrolling 20 graduate students each year. The first class will graduate in 2022.

The Betsy Brodahl Building expansion is one of many capital projects the college is embarking on over the next few years, investing nearly $11 million back into the campus.