Clinical Practicum - Graduate
Continue to main contentGraduate majors in communication disorders are required to three semesters of on-campus clinical practicum prior to any externship experiences.
overview of On-Campus Clinical Practicum
Graduate majors in communication disorders are required to three semesters of on-campus clinical practicum prior to any externship experiences. Students enroll in CD603 (three credit hours) each semester of the first year of graduate study including the regular, 8-week summer semester. One credit hour of this enrollment consists of clinical seminars conducted via a weekly clinical meeting. These meetings cover important clinical and professional issues. In addition, the student will meet regularly with the clinical supervisor(s) to whom they have been assigned.
The remaining two credit hours of this enrollment will consist of 2-3 client assignments in the area of speech, language, or hearing. These clients typically are seen for therapy for two, 50-minute sessions per week during the regular semester, although there are occasional alternate schedules for some clients. Students may also receive 3-4 diagnostic or screening assignments in speech, language and/or hearing per semester. Diagnostic evaluations and screenings are typically conducted on Fridays although alternate scheduling is sometimes necessary.
In all cases, students are supervised by clinical educators who are licensed in the state of Missouri and certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Supervision is provided at a minimum of 25% of the time per clinical assignment and may be adjusted upward at the discretion of the supervisor.
During speech, language, or hearing therapy assignments, students are responsible for following a prescribed treatment plan, submitting weekly lesson plans, completing weekly summary notes ("SOAP" notes) following each week's sessions, communicating with the client or caregiver/parent through regular conferences, conducting each therapy session, investigating and applying evidence-based practice guidelines, and maintaining professional behavior at all times.
During speech, language, or hearing diagnostic or screening assignments, students are responsible for obtaining a thorough case history, planning appropriate diagnostic or screening procedures in consultation with the assigned supervisor, conducting the diagnostic/screening procedures with the client(s), and completing accurate scoring and interpretation of procedures. Students are expected to maintain documentation, formulate diagnostic impressions, determine need for referral, describe recommendations, and prepare a treatment plan for qualifying clients.
Finally, in all clinical practice, students are expected to fully abide by the ASHA Code of Ethics, exhibit professional behavior, remain within the scope of practice of Speech-Language Pathology, and document all clinical activities and clinical clock hours obtained.
Questions regarding clinical practicum may be directed to the Clinic Coordinator of the Center for Speech and Hearing.
Student Clinical Practicum Handbook
This handbook is to prepare students for their clinical placement at the Center for Speech and Hearing.
Located on the main campus of Southeast Missouri State University, the Center for Speech and Hearing provides comprehensive diagnostic and intervention services for all ages.
The Center for Speech and Hearing is a collaborative and supportive experiential learning environment for students studying speech-language pathology that provides accessible high-quality and evidence-based care to individuals with communication disorders throughout the greater Southeast Missouri region. The Center strives to foster students’ ability to integrate evidence-based practice and technological advancements with compassionate, ethical client-driven care, be a leader in clinical education by implementing innovative and dynamic practices, and meet the unique and varied needs of individuals with communication disorders in the greater Southeast Missouri region through the provision of accessible and evidence-based services.
Overview of Externship
Graduate majors in communication disorders are required to complete two off-campus externships during the second year of the graduate program. In order to be eligible for an externship placement, the student must have maintained a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 and must have completed a minimum of 100 clinical clock hours at the graduate level.
The department's externship coordinator strives to match externship experiences with the student's interests, experience, and professional goals. A meeting regarding initial externship placements as well as an orientation to the externship experience is provided toward the end of the 2nd semester of graduate study. Questions regarding externship may be directed to the Externship Coordinator.
Externship Placement Sites
Due to our large service area, The Department of Communication Disorders at Southeast Missouri State University is fortunate to have an excellent number and variety of potential externship sites. A full range of communication disorders is represented in the clinical populations served at the externship sites. A list of potential externship sites that are currently available in our service region is provided below.
Public School Sites
Missouri Schools: K-12 available:
- Cape Girardeau
- Jackson
- Sikeston
- Poplar Bluff
- Farmington
- Ste. Genevieve
- Scott City
- Festus
- St. Louis Special School District
Additional Pediatric Sites
- Kenny Rogers Children's Center, Sikeston, MO
- Southeast Outpatient Rehab., Cape Girardeau, MO
- Cape Girardeau Early Childhood Special Education Center, Cape Girardeau, MO
- St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Louis, MO
- Saint Francis Outpatient Rehab., Cape Girardeau, MO
Hospitals
- Saint Francis Medical Center, Cape Girardeau, MO
- Southeast Missouri Hospital, Cape Girardeau, MO
- Missouri Delta Medical Center, Sikeston, MO
- St. John's Mercy Medical Center, St. Louis, MO
- St. John's Hospital, Springfield, MO
- Cox Medical Center, Springfield, MO
Rehabilitation Facilities
- Center for Comprehensive Services, Carbondale, IL
- Health Facilities Rehab. Corp., Cape Girardeau, Puxico and Sikeston, MO
- Surrey Place, Chesterfield, MO
- National Health Center, Desloge, St. Charles, Maryland Heights, MO
- The Lutheran Home, Cape Girardeau, MO
- Chateau Girardeau, Cape Girardeau, MO
One University Plaza, MS 2600
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701