Graduate Programs

Welcome Letter from the Chair

I'm pleased to welcome you to Gallaudet University and the Department of Hearing, Speech, and Language Sciences on behalf of the faculty, staff, and continuing graduate students of the Department. As you may know, Gallaudet's Department of Hearing, Speech, and Language Sciences houses a Master's degree program in speech-language pathology and an Au.D. program in audiology that are ranked amongst the best in the country. Additionally the department has a Ph.D. program in Hearing, Speech, and Language Sciences, along with a number of undergraduate and graduate service courses.

Among the colleagues you will be meeting during your academic career at Gallaudet are many who will become your lifelong friends. You have chosen a challenging and rewarding career, and I know that the members of the Department join me in hoping that you find this to be a place in which you realize your academic goals.

This guide is intended to help you become familiar with the Department and some of our policies as well as those of the University and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

From all of us, best wishes for an exciting and successful academic career at Gallaudet University.

Matthew Bakke, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Hearing, Speech, and Language Sciences

HSLS Department Strategic Plan

The Department had an all day "conversation" in the Spring Semester of 2008 during which we reviewed and updated our existing strategic plan. This was followed by our move to a new facility, the Sorenson Language and Communication Center (SLCC). In April, 2009, a report was sent to the Dean of the Graduate School and Professional Programs (GSPP) that outlined our "Unit Action Plan," following the plan described in the 2008 Annual Report.

Concurrently, a new Gallaudet University Strategic Plan (GSP) was approved by the Board of Trustees in May, 2009. The GSP can be found at the following URL: http://planning.gallaudet.edu/. The new GSP has resulted in the need for new strategic initiatives for the Department. Thus, we have adopted an iterative process of 1) department "conversations" to develop and refine strategic goals, 2) action plan development by department faculty members and clinical educators, 3) review of goals and plans by the administration to ensure congruence with University Strategic Planning, and 4) ongoing assessment of progress on action plans. Strategic planning review and assessment continues to be an agenda item
on our Departmental Meeting agendas. Department strategic planning retreats will be scheduled when necessary.

The most current Unit Action Plan for the Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences Department is reproduced here.

Graduate Programs in the Department of Hearing, Speech, and Language Sciences