Formerly Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
Brigham Young University’s administration recently approved the renaming of the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology to the Department of Communication Disorders in the David O. McKay School of Education.
“We think the name change will better serve our department and students," said department chair David McPherson. "It is better aligned to the mission of our programs.”
Approximately five years ago the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association began to transition the professional entry level degree for audiologists from a master's to a doctoral degree. This action facilitated a review of BYU's ASLP Department and the university’s goals and aims.
As a result, the ASLP Department terminated its audiology graduate program, said McPherson. This permitted the department to redirect resources to more critical areas such as accepting more students into the speech language pathology graduate program.
Results have included significant increases in scholarly activities. The department’s undergraduate program remains a combined major with coursework in audiology, language and speech science.
This evolution provided the foundation for assessing the title of the department. Universities across the nation have made similar name adjustments.
“In this case, it’s important for our college and department to be in the mainstream,” said McPherson. “The university has been quick to respond and extremely supportive and helpful.”
The McKay School Web site recently released the new name of the Communication Disorders Department on its pages. The BYU fall semester catalogue will also carry the name change.
For more information, contact David McPherson at (801) 422-6458.
Writer: Roxanna Johnson
