Master of Speech-Language Pathology Program Strategic Plan 2025-2030

Master of Speech-Language Pathology Strategic Plan Report of Progress: AY 2025-2026

 

 

MSLP Mission

The mission of the Austin Peay State University Master of Speech-Language Pathology (MSLP) program is to lead in improving the lives of persons with communication disorders residing in Tennessee and surrounding regions by preparing professionals who are highly competent in the provision of evidence-based clinical services, and who deliver these services while upholding the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and compassionate care. The program promotes excellence through a culture of collegiality, supports individual distinctiveness and critical thinking, and engages meaningfully with the community.

 

 

Executive Summary of Progress

The 2025–2026 academic year was a transformative year for the Austin Peay State University (APSU) Master of Speech-Language Pathology (MSLP) Program. Significant progress was made across all strategic priorities through faculty leadership, innovation in clinical education, strong community partnerships, and exceptional student outcomes.

 

Three major accomplishments highlight the year's success. First, the program achieved a historic milestone when it was awarded accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, effective February 1, 2026. Accreditation affirms the quality of the program, the strength of its curriculum and clinical education model, and its alignment with national standards for graduate education in speech-language pathology.

 

Second, the program successfully relocated into the new Health Professions Building. This move provided dedicated faculty offices and a modern clinical training environment, including the APSU Speech-Language & Swallowing Community Clinic. The clinic now operates within a state-of-the-art facility and continues to provide no-cost speech, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing services to community members while serving as a primary clinical training site for MSLP students.

 

Third, faculty continued to expand the program's impact through strategic recruitment efforts, development of medically based clinical education opportunities, and implementation of innovative teaching practices. Particular emphasis was placed on integrating emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enhance student learning and prepare graduates for an evolving healthcare environment.

 

The program also maintained outstanding student outcomes. Graduates from the first two cohorts achieved a 100% pass rate on the Praxis examination, reflecting the effectiveness of the curriculum, clinical experiences, and faculty mentorship.

 

Progress during the year also advanced the program's long-term goals of sustainable growth, clinical excellence, and community engagement. Faculty strengthened partnerships with community partners, expanded experiential learning opportunities, and increased the visibility of the program throughout Tennessee and the surrounding region.

 

Although continued advocacy for additional faculty and administrative support remains important to sustain future growth, the program is well positioned for continued success. The accomplishments of the past year reflect the dedication of faculty, staff, community partners, and university leadership to building a high-quality program that prepares future speech-language pathologists while meeting the communication and swallowing needs of the community.

 

Prepared by APSU Master of Speech-Language Pathology Faculty, Academic Year 2025-2026

KAK.4.2026

MSLP Annual Strategic Plan Report of Progress: Academic Year 2023-2024

 

 

MSLP MISSION

The mission of the Austin Peay State University Master of Speech-Language Pathology program is to lead in improving the lives of persons with communication disorders residing in Tennessee and surrounding regions through preparing professionals who are highly competent with the provision of evidence-based clinical services and who can provide these services while observing the highest standards of ethics, integrity and compassionate care; and by teaching and learning in a culture that cultivates excellence and collegiality, supports diversity, inclusion, critical thinking and engages with the community in meaningful ways.

 

 

PROGRAM GOALS

1. Provide a graduate education culminating in the Master of Speech-Language Pathology that prepares students to meet the current professional standards for clinical certification and state licensure.

2. Offer graduate student clinicians' exposure to diverse clinical populations, assessment procedures, treatment methodologies and work settings.

3. Prepare graduates of the program for complex work environments, interprofessional practice, evidence-based practice and an ability to adapt to changes in the profession.

4. Develop leaders that will impact the Clarksville community, region and state by expanding clinical services provided to the community through compassionate care, outreach, education and service activities.

Faculty members, Dr. Kleinhans, Dr. Bancroft, Ms. Brandon, Ms. Whittle and Ms. Bogard reviewed progress on the strategic plan at the end of the year program meeting on May 2, 2024. The team collaborated on the review and writing of this MSLP Annual Strategic Plan Report of Progress. The four program goals were reviewed in the context of five strategic priorities. A summary of progress for each strategy is provided below.

 

 

Progress Strategy 1:

Recruit, develop and retain faculty, staff, and community partners that will support program success and sustainability

 

Faculty have made significant progress toward achieving the Master of Speech-Language Pathology (MSLP) mission and meeting the program goals. The program benefits through the support of Dr. Leszczak, the Health and Human Performance Department Chair, Dr. Dylnn Williams, Dean of the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences, and Dr. Cronley, the Provost and Senior VP of Academic Affairs. Strategy 1 and objectives that follow all focus on the power of people and partnerships to develop and sustain the MSLP program. The MSLP program faculty composition for the AY 2023-2024 included two doctorally prepared faculty and three master's prepared faculty. The two three-year master's prepared clinical assistant professor positions were filled for the August 2024 year. The number of clinical affiliation agreements continues to increase. Efforts to develop faculty scholars has been successful as evidenced by faculty manuscript submissions, presentations and grants awarded.

 

 

Progress Strategy 2:

Deliver exceptional and effective academic and clinical programs

 

Significant progress with objectives of Strategy 2 were made during the AY. Additional clinical materials, equipment, and sites were acquired to enhance clinical education. Additional collaborative partnerships, formal and informal were made with campus and community partners to develop and offer competency based clinical experiences. Interdisciplinary learning experiences including functional communication training and Grand Rounds were provided. The program launched the MSLP Student Advisory Council. The Competency Examinations policy and procedures have been revised based on student feedback and faculty reflection.

 

 

Progress Strategy 3:

Develop logistics that support and strengthen program development, implementation, delivery, and evaluation

 

The MSLP program has submitted and received feedback on the second Annual Report submitted to the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA). The program continues to be in compliance with the standards at the expected level of development. The APSU Speech-Language & Swallowing Community Clinic, located at 255 Marion St. opened in the fall of 2022. The facility is a 2,100 square foot building with 9 treatment areas and additional clinical spaces. The MSLP program also assumed apartment 8 above the clinic for office space and conference room for clinical education. The MSLP program has published the third revision of the official MSLP Student Handbook which was reviewed at all the required administrative levels for approval. Technology for clinical support and student tracking has all been instituted.

 

 

Progress Strategy 4:

Lead in service and collaborative activities within the APSU, local, state, and national communities to improve the lives of those with communication disorders

 

Work on this strategy continues using service delivery data associated with the APSU Speech-Language & Swallowing Community Clinic via the newly adopted CALIPSO.

 

 

Progress Strategy 5:

Engage in activities designed to improve the quality of the program

 

The faculty continue to use the adopted rubric to evaluate alignment and progress of the MSLP mission, strategic plan and program goals. This information is combined with faculty meetings, review of student learning outcomes and input from community partners and the student advisory council. Faculty will use Qualtrics, Austin Peay's online survey tool, to distribute and analyze surveys to students, graduates and employers. The MSLP program must comply with the Survey Policy and Oversight Committee Survey Administration Policy (2:062).

MSLP Annual Strategic Plan Report of Progress: Academic Year 2022-2023

 

 

MSLP MISSION

The mission of the Austin Peay State University Master of Speech-Language Pathology program is to lead in improving the lives of persons with communication disorders residing in Tennessee and surrounding regions through preparing professionals who are highly competent with the provision of evidence-based clinical services and who can provide these services while observing the highest standards of ethics, integrity and compassionate care; and by teaching and learning in a culture that cultivates excellence and collegiality, supports diversity, inclusion, critical thinking and engages with the community in meaningful ways.

 

 

PROGRAM GOALS

1. Provide a graduate education culminating in the Master of Speech-Language Pathology that prepares students to meet the current professional standards for clinical certification and state licensure.

2. Offer graduate student clinicians' exposure to diverse clinical populations, assessment procedures, treatment methodologies and work settings.

3. Prepare graduates of the program for complex work environments, interprofessional practice, evidence-based practice and an ability to adapt to changes in the profession.

4. Develop leaders that will impact the Clarksville community, region and state by expanding clinical services provided to the community through compassionate care, outreach, education and service activities.

Faculty members, Dr. Kleinhans, Dr. Bancroft, Ms. Brandon, Ms. Whittle and Ms. Bogard reviewed progress on the strategic plan at the end of the year program meeting on May 4, 2023. The team collaborated on the review and writing of this MSLP Annual Strategic Plan Report of Progress. The four program goals were reviewed in the context of five strategic priorities. A summary of progress for each strategy is provided below.

 

 

Progress Strategy 1:

Recruit, develop and retain faculty, staff, and community partners that will support program success and sustainability

 

Faculty have made significant progress toward achieving the Master of Speech-Language Pathology (MSLP) mission and meeting the program goals. The program benefits through the support of Dr. Leszczak, the Health and Human Performance Department Chair, Dr. Maurer, the Interim Dean of the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences, and Dr. Cronley, the Provost and Senior VP of Academic Affairs. Strategy 1 and objectives that follow all focus on the power of people and partnerships to develop and sustain the MSLP program. The MSLP program faculty composition for the AY 2022-2023 included two doctorally prepared faculty and three master's prepared faculty. Dr. Cronley approved a fifth faculty line for the MSLP program, a three-year master's prepared clinical assistant professor, to start in August 2024. The part-time administrative position was also approved as a permanent staff position. The number of clinical affiliation agreements has increased from 18 to 24. Efforts to develop faculty scholars has been successful as evidenced by faculty publications, submissions, presentations and grants awarded.

 

 

Progress Strategy 2:

Deliver exceptional and effective academic and clinical programs

 

Significant progress with objectives of Strategy 2 were made during the AY. Additional clinical materials and equipment were acquired to enhance clinical education. Additional collaborative partnerships, formal and informal were made with campus and community partners to develop and offer competency based clinical experiences that include interprofessional practice opportunities as well as bilingual experiences. Competency examinations have been created to assess student acquisition across the curriculum.

 

 

Progress Strategy 3:

Develop logistics that support and strengthen program development, implementation, delivery, and evaluation

 

The first Annual Report was submitted to the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) in March 2023. The APSU Speech-Language & Swallowing Community Clinic, located at 255 Marion St. opened in the fall of 2022. The facility is a 2,100 square foot building with 9 treatment areas and additional clinical spaces. The MSLP program also assumed apartment 8 above the clinic for office space and conference room for clinical education. The MSLP program published the official MSLP Student Handbook which was reviewed at all the required administrative levels for approval. The MSLP Clinical Education Coordinator and Program Director implemented and trained students and faculty on CALIPSO for tracking acquisition of knowledge and skills and ClinicNote for EMR. Use of the VALT system for clinic and research was launched.

 

 

Progress Strategy 4:

Lead in service and collaborative activities within the APSU, local, state, and national communities to improve the lives of those with communication disorders

 

Work on this strategy was initiated with a focus on using service delivery data associated with the APSU Speech-Language & Swallowing Community Clinic via the newly adopted CALIPSO.

 

 

Progress Strategy 5:

Engage in activities designed to improve the quality of the program

 

The process and rubric to evaluate alignment and progress of the MSLP mission, strategic plan and program goals was developed in collaboration with Dr. Amanda Wornhoff, Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment. They were first used during the current year to align with the revised university and departmental mission. Faculty will use Qualtrics, Austin Peay's online survey tool, to distribute and analyze surveys to students, graduates and employers. The MSLP program must comply with the Survey Policy and Oversight Committee Survey Administration Policy (2:062).

 

KAK.5.4.2023

Master Speech-Language Pathology (MSLP) Strategic Plan Annual Report of Progress: Academic Year 2020-2021

 

 

MSLP MISSION

The mission of the Austin Peay State University Master of Speech-Language Pathology program is to lead in improving the lives of persons with communication disorders residing in Tennessee and surrounding regions through preparing professionals who are highly competent with the provision of evidence-based clinical services and who can provide these services while observing the highest standards of ethics, integrity and compassionate care; and by teaching and learning in a culture that cultivates excellence and collegiality, supports diversity, inclusion, critical thinking and engages with the community in meaningful ways.

 

 

PROGRAM GOALS

Provide a graduate education culminating in the Master of Speech-Language Pathology that prepares students to meet the current professional standards for clinical certification and state licensure.

1. Offer graduate student clinicians' exposure to diverse clinical populations, assessment procedures, treatment methodologies and work settings.

2. Prepare graduates of the program for complex work environments, interprofessional practice, evidence-based practice and an ability to adapt to changes in the profession.

3. Develop leaders that will impact the Clarksville community, region and state by expanding clinical services provided to the community through compassionate care, outreach, education and service activities.

Faculty members, Dr. Ward and Dr. Kleinhans, reviewed progress on the strategic plan at the end of the year program meeting in May of 2021. Two additional meetings in June took place in order to finish the review and for faculty to author this MSLP Annual Strategic Plan Report of Progress. The four program goals were reviewed in the context of five strategic priorities. A summary of progress for each strategy is provided below.

 

 

Progress Strategy 1:

Recruit, develop and retain faculty, staff, and community partners that will support program success and sustainability

 

The MSLP program faculty have made progress toward meeting the program goals by implementing Strategy 1 with support from Dr. Maurer the Health and Human Performance Chairperson, Dr. Brown the Dean of the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences, and Dr. Cronley the Provost and Senior VP of Academic Affairs. Strategy 1 and objectives that follow all focus on the power of people and partnerships to develop and sustain the Master of Speech-Language Pathology (MSLP) program. APSU efforts to recruit and hire diverse faculty have been successful. Dr. Ward, a bilingual speech-language pathologist, joined the university in August of 2020. Dr. Ward possesses valuable knowledge and skills to share with faculty and students regarding methods for responsive service delivery to culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Faculty agreed the pandemic has had an impact on securing new community partners as agencies, including APSU, have had to navigate many new uncertainties on how best to safely manage their organization during these challenging times. Despite these challenges additional clinical affiliation agreements are being processed, activities with current community partners have taken place and new community partners have been identified. Efforts to develop faculty scholars has been successful as both MSLP faculty participated in the HHP journal club resulting in submission of one book proposal, two state presentations, one funded grant and one manuscript under review.

 

 

Progress Strategy 2:

Deliver exceptional and effective academic and clinical programs

 

In April of 2021 due to the advocacy efforts of the Dr. Brown, Dean of the College of Behavioral & Health Sciences, Provost Cronley fully funded the equipment and material requests of the MSLP program. Specialized equipment was approved for purchase from the following categories: video observation and recording software for clinical education, clinic specific furniture and storage (e.g., smaller size chairs, multiuse adjustable tables, shelving), and supplemental treatment materials. Equipment and materials by diagnostic groupings included:

• Swallowing and feeding disorders

• Speech sound production, fluency, voice and resonance

• Receptive/expressive language and social aspects of communication

• Cognition

• Augmentative and alternative communication

Considerable effort was made in connecting with internal and external community partners to secure clinical affiliation agreements, develop interprofessional clinical experiences and develop innovative clinical experiences for APSU MSLP students. The purpose of the MSLP Advisory Board was established. Commitments to serve were obtained from 16 community members representing various constituencies, professional disciplines, practice settings, agencies and organizations.

 

 

Progress Strategy 3:

Develop logistics that support and strengthen program development, implementation, delivery, and evaluation

 

In October of 2020, the CAA notified APSU that the university had met all eligibility requirements and was permitted to submit the Level II: Official Application for the February 2021 cycle. APSU submitted the Official Application for Candidacy to the CAA in February 2021. The original oral and written timeline provided by the CAA staff person stated a site visit would be scheduled for July 2021. A decision of candidacy status would be rendered in November 2021 at a special decision-making meeting of the CAA for candidacy programs. In an email on June 6, 2021 the program was notified that due to their delays they would be pushing the timing of the APSU MSLP candidacy site visit back, delaying the visit to Fall 2021. The APSU MSLP program would then be placed on the agenda for the CAA February 2022 meeting.

 

Program faculty also selected Calipso for tracking student acquisition of knowledge and skills. Faculty also completed the draft of the Expectations for Professional Conduct form. Provost Cronley funded an additional $30,000.00 for renovation of the Marion St. Apartment Space for the APSU Speech-Language and Swallowing Community Clinic.

 

 

Progress Strategy 4:

Lead in service and collaborative activities within the APSU, local, state, and national communities to improve the lives of those with communication disorders

 

Work on this strategy was not initiated.

 

 

Progress Strategy 5:

Engage in activities designed to improve the quality of the program

 

The process and rubric to evaluate alignment and progress of the MSLP mission, strategic plan and program goals was developed in collaboration with Amanda Wornhoff, Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment. The written procedures and rubrics were completed in June of 2021 and will launch for evaluation during the 2021-2022 academic year. Faculty will use Qualtrics, Austin Peay's online survey tool, to distribute and analyze surveys to students, graduates and employers. The MSLP program must comply with the Survey Policy and Oversight Committee Survey Administration Policy (2:062).

 

KAK.6.30.2021