Submitted Fall, 2003
Alumni Survey and Employer Survey
(Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
To provide insights into the levels of preparedness graduates experience and the strengths and weaknesses of the CDIS program in contributing to their readiness, parallel surveys were sent to alumni and their employers one year after date of graduation. The department has been conducting these surveys for over ten years and has used the information gathered to make curricular clinical changes in the program.
The alumni survey was sent to 16 program graduates one year after their date of graduation and 14 surveys were returned. Responses from graduates indicated that they would have preferred more information on the following: phonological disorders and treatment, trach/ventilation care and treatment, and more opportunities to participate in swallowing evaluations.
| Question |
Agree |
Disagree |
| 1. Considering all aspects, I was completely satisfied with my preparation for the profession of speech/language pathology. |
13 |
1 |
| 2. The clinical practicum experiences adequately prepared me for my profession. |
14 |
|
| 3. My academic/clinical education was adequate to prepare me to work with diverse populations. |
11 |
3 |
Based on previous alumni surveys, the faculty has made major curriculum changes over the past four years, including the addition of courses on dysphagia, speech instrumentation, and professional issues. The results of the current survey indicate that we need to consider ways to infuse more opportunities for students to evaluate and treat individuals of ethnic and diverse backgrounds
The alumni survey was sent to 16 employers and 11 were returned. Employers generally rated program graduates as excellent. Employers indicated that students are generally knowledgeable in most areas, but have limited experience with dysphagia evaluation. They also indicated that while students are able to write detailed clinical reports, they are not prepared to document services appropriately in the workplace (i.e., medical charts, SOAP notes, etc.)
| |
Agree |
Disagree |
| 1. The clinician can complete speech, language, or hearing diagnostic procedures appropriately. |
11 |
0 |
| 2. The clinician demonstrates adequate knowledge of instrumentation. |
10 |
1 |
| 3. The clinician is able to establish appropriate treatment goals for each client. |
10 |
1 |
| 4. The clinician is able to write appropriate reports and document treatment effectiveness. |
5 |
6 |
| 5. The clinician has the knowledge and skills to provide appropriate speech, language, and hearing services for all clients. |
10 |
1 |
| 6. Graduates are sought as candidates for speech-language pathology positions. |
11 |
0 |
Program faculty has addressed the need for variation in reporting type and style by providing opportunities to report treatment in various formats. We are unable to address our students' lack of experience with the evaluation of swallowing disorders, since those evaluations are usually done in a medical setting. Students are introduced to the procedures through coursework, but are unable to have hands on experience until they are in their clinical internship.