The purposes of the College of Nursing and Speech-Language Pathology are reflected in the philosophies and outcomes of each program. The college provides high quality graduate professional programs in nursing and speech-language pathology. Classes are small, emphasizing a personalized learning environment that prepares graduates for competitive professional careers at the master’s or doctoral levels or admission to doctoral programs. These purposes are directly related to the University’s mission to provide high quality graduate education in a variety of professional programs.
The College of Nursing and Speech-Language Pathology offers graduate programs in nursing at the master’s and doctoral levels and in speech-language pathology at the master’s level.
The purpose of the Nursing programs is to provide education that prepares nurses for several levels of practice. Preparation is offered at the associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral levels in a personalized and stimulating environment conducive to strong academic and leadership preparation, community service, achievement of clinical expertise, and life-long learning. As a part of the educational process, students develop an awareness of gender-related issues and multicultural diversity. The purpose relates to the Mission of the University by providing professional education for several levels of students with an emphasis on academic and leadership preparation for women and men in a personalized environment. The purpose, philosophies, and outcomes of the department and the four nursing programs are consonant with the purpose and aims of the University and are derived from the faculty’s beliefs about the nature of education and nursing practice. Information on the undergraduate nursing programs is in the MUW Undergraduate Bulletin. Information on comparison of expenses and fees with other Mississippi Nursing Schools can be found in Nursing Education Opportunities in Mississippi at the web site http://www.mshealthcareers.com/news/nursingopp.htm .
Department of Graduate Nursing
Department Chair: Johnnie Sue Cooper Wijewardane
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Program and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program have state accreditation from the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL, 3825 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS 39211; 601-432-6486, http://www.ihl.state.ms.us). In addition, the Master of Science in Nursing program has national accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC, 20036-1120. 1-404-975-5000, or via the web at www.aacn.nche.edu/accreditation).
Facilities
The MSN and DNP program courses are taught on the Columbus campus of Mississippi University for Women in Martin Hall. Graduate nursing students clinical experiences are individually established as close as possible to the student’s home. Students are not guaranteed an assignment in any one clinical area.
Graduate Nursing Faculty
DNP Program Co-Coordinators: Kristi Acker/Lorraine Gaddis
MSN Program Co-Coordinators: Terri Hamill,/Johnnie Sue Wijewardane
Professors: Sheila V. Adams, Tammie M. McCoy, Patricia E. Smyth
Associate Professors: Sueanne Davidson, Johnnie Sue Wijewardane
Assistant Professors: Kristi Acker, Lorraine Gaddis, Carey McCarter, Teresa Hamill, Shonda Phelon
Department of Speech-Language Pathology
Department Chair: Joy Townsend, Interim
Speech-Language Pathology Faculty
Professors: Marie Byrne, Michelle Harmon
Assistant Professors: Carrie Smith
Instructors: Donna Burlingame, Lynn M. Hanson, Joy Townsend
Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
Speech-language pathologists specialize in the screening, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of human communication disorders. They work in a variety of professional settings, such as public and private schools, hospitals, universities, nursing homes, other health care facilities, and in private practice. They work with persons of all ages, from infancy to elderly. Upon completion of the program, graduates will meet the academic and clinical requirements for American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certification and for Mississippi Department of Health (MDH) and Department of Education (MDE) licensure.
Purpose and Objectives
The Mississippi University for Women graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology is committed to offering the necessary coursework and clinical practicum experiences that will qualify students to meet the academic and clinical requirements for national certification and state licensure.
The program emphasizes the clinical aspects of the profession and requires that all students demonstrate their ability to understand the normal communicative processes as well as to diagnose and treat individuals with communicative disorders. Students are also expected to develop the skills to communicate diagnostic results, treatment effects, and prognoses to other professionals and family members in both oral and written forms.
Purpose Statement
The purpose of the speech-language pathology graduate program is to enable students to develop professional knowledge and clinical skills. Traditional and non-traditional students will demonstrate leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities professionally and competently in a variety of clinical settings.
Accreditation:
The Master’s education program in Speech-Language Pathology at Mississippi University for Women is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville Maryland 20850. 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
Facilities
The program is taught in Cromwell Communication Center, the Speech and Hearing Center, and various clinical sites in health care facilities and schools.
Admission Policy and Dates:
See Graduate Admissions in this Bulletin for information concerning admission policies. The application process opens on October 1 and must be completed by March 1, for fall admission.
