The mission of the Bill and Jo-Ann Vandergriff College of Nursing and Health Sciences is 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. This mission is directly related to the University’s mission to provide high quality graduate education in a variety of professional programs.
The Bill and Jo-Ann Vandergriff College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers graduate programs in nursing at the master’s and doctoral levels and in speech-language pathology and public health at the master’s level.
The mission of the Nursing program 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 mission 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 mission, 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 Health and Kinesiology
Department Chair: Irene Pintado
Health and Kinesiology Faculty
Professor: Irene Pintado
Associate Professors: Chad Murphy
Assistant Professors: Emmanuel Ahua, Candy Grant
Department of Graduate Nursing
Department Chair: Shonda Phelon
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 and the Doctor of Nursing Practice and post-graduate APRN certificate at Mississippi University for Women are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Facilities
The MSN 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.
The DNP program courses are hybrid, utilizing on-line and Columbus campus classes.
Graduate Nursing Faculty
DNP Program Coordinator: Shonda Phelon
MSN Program Coordinator: Alena Groves
Professors: Sueanne Davidson, Alena Groves, Shonda Phelon
Assistant Professor: Lindsay Kemp, Beth Turner
Instructors: Christy Davis, Renea Hopple, Emily Stidham
Department of Speech-Language Pathology
Interim Department Chair: Catherine Cotton, Ph.D. CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathology Faculty
Professors: Hunter Manasco Ph.D. CCC-SLP
Assistant Professor: Catherine Cotton Ph.D. CCC-SLP, Jianwen Crump Ed.D CCC-SLP
Full-Time Instructors: Jenifer Pounders M.S. CCC-SLP, Laurel Jones M.S. CCC-SLP
Part-Time Instructors: Lynn McConnell M.S. CCC-SLP
Adjunct Instructors: Janie New M.S. CCC-SLP, Rachel Huber Ph.D. CCC-AUD, Julia Ellerston SLP.D CCC-SLP
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.
Mission 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.
The current strategic plan includes these goals:
Strategic Objective 1: Increase the number of high-quality student applications and attract them to our speech language pathology program.
Strategic Objective 2: Promote and cultivate leadership in faculty and students.
Strategic Objective 3: Participate in community engagement opportunities.
Strategic Objective 4: Increase opportunities for scholarship and creative activities.
Strategic Objective 5: Engage in ongoing program assessment.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program is to advance students’ professional knowledge regarding disorders of human communication and swallowing. Through a variety of academic and clinical training experiences, students are prepared to become professional and competent speech-language pathologists who incorporate evidence-based practice and provide quality services to people with communication and swallowing disorders and support their care partners. Students will be prepared to assume leadership roles in the workplace. Students will meet all academic requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the Council for Clinical Certification. The Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program will enhance service to the community by providing clinical services through the Mississippi University for Women Speech and Hearing Center.
Accreditation:
The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) 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 Turner Hall, The W Speech and Hearing Center, and 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 February 15, for fall admission.
SLP Automatic Admission
Purpose and Benefit
The SLP Automatic Admission provides high performing Mississippi University for Women undergraduate students who meet specific academic criteria and character standards, automatic acceptance into The W’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program. This can provide peace of mind and allow students to focus on their undergraduate studies knowing they have a secured spot in our graduate program. The student will be able to bypass the standard application process thus eliminating the additional time, effort, and expense this process typically requires.
Eligibility
Applicants of The W’s Automatic Admission for the M.S. Speech-Language Degree Program must meet the following requirements:
- Be admitted to The W and the Speech-Language Pathology undergraduate program prior to the Fall semester of their junior year
- Complete 4 consecutive semesters toward a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Pathology from The W
- Be in good standing at The W
- Maintain at least a B in each SLP prerequisite course
- Maintain at least a B in each biological sciences with a lab, physical sciences with a lab, mathematics, social/behavioral sciences, and mathematics prerequisite course, which must have been completed within the last six years
- Achieve a 3.70 or higher GPA through completion of ALL undergraduate coursework
- Submit 3 proofs of support from The W’s SLP Department faculty indicating “no concerns”
Admissions Process
All application documents must be in the MUW SLP program’s office and/or postmarked by 5 p.m. on November 1st of their senior year to be considered for early selection. See Automatic Admission Application for details.
Additional Requirements
Eligible students must obtain 25 guided observation hours before graduating from MUW. Failure to acquire these hours may delay completion of the graduate program in speech-language pathology. Additionally, students must earn a Bachelor of Science in Speech Language Pathology from MUW.
Voluntary or Administrative Withdrawal
Students who wish to withdraw from The W’s graduate SLP Program must do so through the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. The last day to withdraw from The W is listed on the Academic Calendar. Once the withdrawal form is processed, the action is irreversible. Withdrawal does not necessarily indicate a clearance of financial or other obligations. All obligations to The W must be met regardless of withdrawal status. Refunds are made based on The W policy and are associated with date of withdrawal. Leaving The W without withdrawal notice will result in failing grades in all courses for which the student is registered.
Application to Graduate Program
Students will be granted their bachelor’s degree when they complete all of the undergraduate requirements; they are undergraduate students until this point. Students must apply for admission into the SLP graduate program during their senior year by the prescribed deadline. Acceptance to The W’s Automatic Admission Program does not guarantee admission to The W’s Graduate school.
