The Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at the University of Missouri is proud of its long and distinguished history and of the high quality of its graduates, students, faculty, and staff. We have one of the oldest continually accredited programs in speech-language pathology in the nation and we offer the only PhD program in speech-language pathology in Missouri. Our faculty, students and staff actively follow the University of Missouri’s nondiscrimination policy.
Mission statement
The mission of the MU Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) is to provide outstanding educational and research programs in the areas of language, speech, hearing, voice, and swallow disorders, and in the diagnosis and treatment of the spectrum of communication disorders.
Our programs (BHS and MHS) are designed to develop thoughtful clinicians who can engage in creative and flexible problem-solving on the basis of their ability to find and understand relevant information, to critically evaluate information, to integrate information across content areas, and to communicate effectively in a variety of contexts. We are committed to fostering an environment of respect, access, and belonging across our programs, curriculum, and clinical activities, with the goal of preparing professionals who are culturally aware and culturally responsive.
As a participating department in the College of Health Sciences Health and Rehabilitation Science PhD Program, our goal is the development of successful research scientists who will contribute to the understanding of typical and atypical processes of communication, develop collaborative research skills across disciplines, and further clinical science through their research and teaching.
Strategic plan
The Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences has a strategic plan in place to help ensure the continued excellence of our master’s program. The specific goals and objectives of the strategic plan are used to guide our department in maintaining our strengths and capitalizing on opportunities for continued growth. These goals and objectives closely align with those of the overall strategic plan of the College of Health Sciences. The key elements of the plan are:
CHS Goal: Improve Meaningful Student Experiences and Outcomes
Department Objectives
- Enhance academic, research and clinical opportunities to improve meaningful student experiences.
- Improve student engagement and support.
CHS Goal: Increase Research and Scholarship Productivity and Quality
Department Objectives
- Enhance and expand research infrastructure.
- Enhance and expand interdisciplinary and collaborative research.
- Enhance and expand robust research activity.
CHS Goal: Raise/Improve the State and National Reputations of the Department
Department Objectives
- Enhance alumni engagement to create investment in the department’s goals and progress.
- Maximize recognition opportunities for department faculty and students.
- Enhance consistency in enrollment by attracting and yielding well-prepared students in SLHS programs.
The department has several strategies in place for each objective, all of which are tracked by key performance indicators and target outcomes. Focusing on these areas allows the program to meet several short-range goals and will continue to guide us toward long-range goals. With this strategic plan in place, the MHS program continues to maintain its stature in higher education.
If you would like additional information regarding our strategic plan, please let us know. Our program welcomes feedback from all interested.