About

The Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences (CDS) offers students a rich academic curriculum, comprehensive clinical training, and ongoing research opportunities in human communication disorders and sciences. The department upholds the missions of SJSU and the Lurie College of Education.

CDS Department Vision Statement

The Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences prepares innovative scholars via transformative education and high-impact, equity-minded research. 

CDS Department Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences is to prepare creative, evidence-informed, critical thinkers and change agents for a profession in speech-language pathology and related fields. This work prioritizes clinical education and research that reflect, elevate, and advocate for the interests and needs of our diverse communities. We do this with a culturally responsive and student-centered focus. 

 

Our Values

● Equity- and justice-focused approaches across teaching, research, and practice
● Deep knowledge of communicative disorders and sciences
● Innovative academic and clinical education
● Student-centered and culturally sustaining pedagogy
● Community-engaged practice and scholarship
● Commitment to ongoing reflection and improvement of our programs

Knowledge

  • Academic and clinical rigor

Skills

  • clinical competence 
  • cultural humility
  • critical thinking
  • impactful communication
  • innovation
  • flexibility
  • professionalism
  • self-reflection
  • ethical conduct
  • social and emotional awareness
  • technological prowess

Attitudes

  • commitment to continuous learning
  • compassion
  • empathy
  • collaborative mindset
  • growth mindset

Accreditation, Licensure, and Credential

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology {residential and distance} at San José State University 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 Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is also accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential, and approved by California's Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board. 

Grant Support

Our department is currently supported by multiple federal personnel preparation and research grants that provide CDS students with small group specialized instruction and clinical experiences, tuition remission, conference travel, and book allowances.

  • One of these grants focus on training SJSU students to provide services in special populations, persons who use augmentative and alternative communication.
  • A second grant aims to develop SJSU students in culturally competent assessment and intervention activities to meet the needs of multicultural populations.

CDS Strategic Plan 2023-2026 [pdf]

The department identified four priorities and goals, within a transformative framework that aligns with the college and university strategic plans:

1. Develop innovative programs to provide more access pathways for diverse students to enter speech-language pathology and audiology.
2. Update undergraduate and graduate curriculum to include Interprofessional Education (IPE), Interprofessional Practice (IPP) and Diversity-Equity-Inclusion-Social Justice (DEIJ) as focus areas for excellence across academic and clinical education.
3. Increase the number and diversity of tenured/tenure-track faculty to support new program/curriculum development and the anticipated increase in student enrollment.
4. Upgrade department facilities and infrastructure (i.e., technology, equipment) in the on-campus clinic, the Kay Armstead Center for Communicative Disorders, to support transformative education in CDS.

The implementation of the strategic plan will be guided by the Department Chair, Program Director/Coordinator, Director of Clinical Education and department committees. Annual evaluation of objectives and progress will be reviewed in faculty meetings. Evaluation results and updates will be shared with college leadership, faculty, students, staff, alumni, and other interested parties accordingly.

 

 

Equal Opportunity Policy

The Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences is committed to the principle of equal opportunity. The University, College, and Department do not discriminate in the delivery of professional services or the conduct of research and scholarly activity based on age, citizenship, disability, ethnicity, gender-identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, physical characteristics, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and veteran status.