Q: How do I apply for admissions to Radford University’s Communication  Sciences and Disorders undergraduate or graduate program?

A: You can obtain an application online at: http://www.radford.edu/~gradcoll/.

Q: How many students are in the undergraduate and graduate programs?

A: Our undergraduate program typically serves between 60-75 juniors and seniors. Our graduate program is limited to approximately 25-35 students in each new class.

Q: What types of technology will be available for me to use at Radford University?

A: The department is located in Waldron Hall; the newest building on campus. Here, students have access to the George Harvey Technology Center: A state-of-the-art facility which houses a student computer center. For the 2003-2004 academic year, entering graduate students were provided with a wireless Pocket PC to exchange data with professors not only in class, but  through out Waldron Hall. Please see http://lib.runet.edu/highlanderguide/Library/Harvey.html for more information. The Speech Science Laboratory (Dr. Raymond Linville, Director) houses a new digital videostroboscopy system complete with the latest KIPS, model 9181 laryngeal imaging software (http://www.kayelemetrics.com/Product%20Info/Strobe%20Systems/KIPS%20overview1.pdf). The facility also includes a comprehensive acoustics workstation for the investigation of speech production and perception.  Computer-based, multimedia applications are also available for supplemental instruction. The Electrophysiology Laboratory (Dr. Ken Cox, Director) includes a sophisticated brain mapping system that supports research interests in areas of musical perception, speech perception, autism spectrum disorder, and cognitive processing models.

Q: What external clinical opportunities are available for me in my graduate experience?

A: The department holds affiliations with over 150 externship sites. Most of which are within commuting distance from the University so that classes and off-campus practicum can be taken concurrently.

Q: Will I have a problem completing the clock hours during my graduate program?

A: Working closely with your academic advisor and the speech-language pathology clinic director, you will have ample opportunities to exceed the minimal number of clock-hours (400) as required by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (see http://www.asha.org/).

Q: What clinical experiences will I gain in my first year at the Radford University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic?

A: Students are usually assigned two-to-four patients each semester depending upon case complexity and the student's clinical experience. Our clinic houses seventeen therapy and observation suites for student clinicians, which are also linked via closed-circuit TV cameras with faculty supervisors' offices. Students may participate in community screenings with certified speech-language pathologists. Two additional audiology suites are available for students to participate in advanced diagnostic assessments.

Q: What are the requirements for admission into the graduate program?

A: Requirements can obtained at the graduate homepage  at http://www.radford.edu/Admissions.html.

Q: What kind of student organizations are sponsored by the department?

A: The department sponsors and supports student involvement in the local chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The department also supports a local chapter of Operation Smile, a international organization devoted to the evaluation and treatment of pediatric craniofacial anomalies in medically underserved countries. For additional information please contact Dr. Lynn Adams (l-adams@radford.edu).

Q:  What fun things are there to do in the area?

A:  Southwest Virginia is among the nation's leading areas for outdoor recreational activities. Hiking, camping, canoeing, mountain biking, horseback riding, swimming, fishing/hunting, caving, skiing, and birding are just a few of the many activities available in the immediate area. If you're into athletic events, then this is one of the best places in the county to catch nationally ranked teams including our  Men's Rugby Team (national champions) and Virginia Tech football! Area restaurants, concerts, sporting events (e.g., NASCAR), and lecture series are absolutely first rate!

Q:  Does the department offer assistance in finding employment and obtaining licensure?

A:  During the spring semester of their second year, graduate students are provided additional assistance in filing applications requisite to licensure and membership in various professional organizations including the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Faculty members offer free workshops on interviewing techniques, developing a professional résumé, and tips on negotiating salary and benefit packages. Students are also directed to websites listing employment resources (e.g., http://www.BestFitRecruiting.com, http://www.herring.org/speech.html, http://speechpathology.com, http://www.primehcs.com/jobs/Speech-Language-Pathologists-CCC.php?source=adwords&creative=speech-broad). Approximately, 85%-90% of our students secure employment prior to graduation with the majority of positions being in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Q:  How well will I get to know my professors?

A:  One of the most important factors leading to a successful education is how well students and faculty members mutually engage in learning. From the initial student orientation at Radford University's nearby Selu Conservancy (http://www.radford.edu/~conf-serv/Selu.htm) to commencement, the faculty are committed to providing each student with a comprehensive and challenging education. Close bonds are forged with students as they work closely together on research projects, clinical staffing, and individual course projects. Here are some recent comments from our current and former students:

The professors are outstanding and encouraged me to really make a difference. (Katherine Woods, Undergraduate Class of 2005).

Even though I am a graduate student who obtained my undergraduate degree from a different institution, I feel that the Juniors and Seniors in this program get a wealth of information, make many close friends, and have fun while learning. (Heather Cox, Graduate Class of 2006).

I think the atmosphere was happier and more upbeat and the teachers were far more interested in the students succeeding at RU. (Tiffany Nobel, M.A., CCC-SLP, Graduate Class of 2002).