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

We value the following attributes in ourselves and our students:

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.) in Speech-Language Pathology 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 (220 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, 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 2017-2020

The Department’s Strategic Plan 2017-2020 outlined five priorities:

  • Enhance department stature through growth in research and scholarly productivity
  • Grow and retain faculty by providing support to ensure their success
  • Attract and train quality students who are prepared for professional roles in a diverse and changing global society
  • Develop and enhance relationships within the department, with community partners, and alumni that ensure adequacy of resources for academic and clinical functions of the department
  • Ensure students, faculty, and staff have adequate and appropriate facilities

The implementation of these priorities will be guided by the Department Chair, Graduate Program Director, and Director of Clinical Education. A number of department committees will have the responsibility for core priorities related to their specific mandates (e.g., the Curriculum Committee will undertake curriculum enhancements under Strategic Priority 3).

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.