SPPA
WMU Program History
Speech pathology and audiology programming at Western Michigan University dates from 1936, when Dr. Charles Van Riper came from the University of Iowa to establish a speech clinic and to develop a curriculum in speech correction. It was one of the nation's earliest clinics for the study and treatment of speech disorders and for the preparation of "speech correctionists." Graduate-level study began some 20 years later, and in 1966 Western's graduate program became the first in Michigan, and one of the first six in the nation, to gain accreditation.
Over the years, Dr. Van Riper's remarkable success in treating stuttering in clients from around the world earned him the reputation of being a giant in the field. He authored one of the primary textbooks still used in classrooms today. Along with the continuing growth in his stature, and the quality contributions of other faculty, came an enhancement in the department's reputation for excellence, diversity, and leadership, a trend that continues to this day.
Why WMU?
For the faculty and staff of the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, the foremost concern is to assist individuals who have communication disabilities, and students who share this point of view are especially welcome. The enhancement of personal as well as professional growth of the students is, in turn, a fundamental and ongoing commitment of the faculty. As a result, professionals are educated who are maximally effective in providing clinical services to individuals of all ages with speech, language, and hearing impairments.
The outcome for students is that knowledge is enhanced and a variety of skills and competencies are developed, including those related to evaluation, diagnosis, rehabilitation, and prevention as well as those related to research, education, and administration.
In other words, the mastering of the elements of the educational regimen outlined in these web pages and the graduate program pages will likely be a blueprint for success. The large number of department graduates who have gone on to satisfying and even preeminent careers in the field validates the WMU educational experience.
Program Accreditation
The graduate educational programs in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Department faculty and students are engaged in numerous research
and service activities in our labs and the Van Riper Language,
Speech and Hearing Clinics. In preparation for reaccreditation,
faculty identified key department goals and priorities. The
department strategic plan is available for review by
students, alumni, and others who may have an interest. A printed
copy is available for review in the department offices on the 4th
floor of the CHHS. We always welcome visits from alumni, friends,
and students. If you would like to arrange a campus visit and tour
our new facilities, please call the department or send us an e-mail, paula.armstrong@wmich.edu.
Mission Statement
The basic mission of the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology at Western Michigan University is to prepare professionals who will be maximally effective in providing clinical services to individuals with speech, language, and hearing impairments. The enhancement of knowledge and the development of a variety of skills and competencies -- including those related to evaluation, diagnosis, rehabilitation and prevention, as well as those related to research, education and administration - are subsumed by the basic mission.
As a corollary to this mission, the department is also committed to the furthering of a fuller understanding of human communication processes and of communication disorders through its instructional programs, through laboratory and clinical research, through information dissemination and through professional and community service activities.
Our foremost concern is assisting individuals who have communication handicaps, and we welcome students who share this point of view. The enhancement of personal as well as professional growth in our students is, in turn, a fundamental and ongoing commitment of our faculty.