Strategic Plan
The ability to communicate is a gift from God. Effective communication is a human right (ASHA). We were created to communicate with God - through His Word and the Holy Spirit - and with one another through reading, writing, speaking, or signing, and singing. The ability to communicate effectively is fundamental to our identity as beings created by God.
Our MS-SLP program is designed to integrate Christian faith with professional practice, emphasizing the importance of communication in independent living, building relationships, expressing faith, and worshipping God. The strategic plan outlines our goals and strategies to recruit and retain students, innovate our curriculum, provide robust clinical experiences, support faculty development, and integrate Christian principles into all aspects of our program through five strategic focus areas.
Focus Area 1: Student recruitment and retention
The OBU MS-SLP program strives to enroll and retain students by developing outreach programs and community partnerships to attract potential students. Enrolled students are provided with mentorship and support to promote a sense of belonging.
Focus Area 2: Curriculum innovation and academic excellence
The OBU MS-SLP program utilizes innovative instructional technologies and teaching methodologies to provide a state-of-the-art educational experience. Faculty receive extensive training in evidence-based teaching and learning principles and students are provided opportunities to engage in scholarly research initiatives and interdisciplinary learning activities.
Focus Area 3: Robust and varied clinical education experience
The OBU MS-SLP program has established partnerships with a variety of clinical sites to provide students with different clinical experiences. Students will gain experience with individuals with a wide variety of communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan and will have the opportunity to select clinical settings that align with their interests. Current simulation and telepractice technologies will be utilized to develop clinical skills.
Focus Area 4: Faculty recruitment and development
The OBU MS-SLP program employs exceptional faculty with extensive clinical and academic expertise. Faculty are active in scholarly research and are leaders in the field of speech-language pathology.
Focus Area 5: Integration of Christian principles and values
The OBU MS-SLP program incorporates biblical teaching and Christian ethics into the academic and clinical training students receive. Students participate in service-learning projects and clinical simulations that encourage them to apply Christian principles and values in clinical settings.
This strategic plan meets standards set forth by the Council of Academic Accreditation in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAA) and the Council for Clinical Certification (CFCC) of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). The plan outlines the foundational goals and strategies for the MS-SLP program at OBU, ensuring alignment with the institution’s mission, vision, and values while striving for excellence in academic education and clinical preparation.