MS in Speech-Language Pathology

Strategic Plan 2026-2029

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Vision

The USC Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology will become a premier program in Speech-Language Pathology, providing our students a training experience that involves deep connections to research, focus on clinical care and service to individuals with communication and swallowing disorders within a multicultural urban community.

Click to view the USC MS SLP Strategic Plan 2026 – 2029.

Photo of the Tommy Trojan statue at USC main campus.

Values

Equity and Ethics – Inclusive Spirit – Cultural Sensitivity – Leadership – Community Engagement and Service – Access and Opportunity – Person Centered Care – Wellness – Compassion – Research – Collaboration and Interprofessional Education – Innovation

Mission Statement

The USC M.S. Speech-Language Pathology Program is dedicated to providing engaging and innovative academic and clinical education to prepare speech- language pathologists with the knowledge and skills to:

Provide evidence-based and culturally-sensitive services to persons with communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan;

Engage in interprofessional and collaborative practice for the prevention, identification, assessment and treatment of those in their care, and

Advocate for persons with communication and swallowing disorders, their families and the profession with an inquisitive mindset to ensure the pursuit of life-long learning regarding advancements in the field.

Strategic Priorities

  • Goal

    Provide engaging and innovative academic and clinical education.

    Strategic Objectives

    Goal Provide engaging and innovative academic and clinical education. 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029
    Strategic Objectives:
    Extend clinical placements in health care and private practice, including OHNS opportunities
    Expand trainings for Clinical Educators in the field regarding supervision and expectations for student KAS at various levels
    Increase IPE opportunities with KSOM and USC clinical programs
    Alignment of academic and clinical opportunities
    Develop IPE opportunities with Rossier School of Education (RSOE)

    Issues (Barriers)

    1. Geographic area large making access difficult for students and faculty in some areas
    2. Health care settings limited in the number of student placements they will take, including number of students they can take for placement
    3. Time for academic faculty to connect with clinical educators to ensure application of skills

    Baseline

    1. Clinical Placement Settings:
      • Education: 9 School Districts, which contains 122 schools
      • Healthcare-19
      • Private Practice- 24
      • Community Settings- 6 including Come Read with Me

    Desired Outcomes

    1. Access to highly desirable employment settings upon graduation

     

  • Goal

    Expand the USC MS-SLP Student Experience through program traditions, USC Value-Added Experiences and engagement  with KSOM and the USC Community.

    Strategic Objectives

    Goal: Expand the USC MS-SLP Student Experience through program traditions, USC Value-Added Experiences and engagement with KSOM and USC Community

     

    		 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029
    Strategic Objectives:
    Increase number of student applicants for admissions
    Ensure access to Well-Being Resources
    Establish awards and recognition program
    Increase branding for MS-SLP
    Promote Student Activities in NSSHLA and Across Campus

    Issues (Barriers)

    1. Low numbers of student applicants
    2. Changes in financial aid for graduate programs at federal level
    3. Cost of tuition at USC

    Baseline

    1. Estimated 50 student application for 2026 admissions, representing a significant decrease from prior years

    Desired Outcomes

    1. 200 applicants for admissions

  • Goal

    Connect the MS-SLP Program to academic, research and clinical opportunities within the University and KSOM, including scholarship support.

    Strategic Objectives

     

    Goal Connect the MS-SLP Program to academic, research and clinical opportunities within the university and KSOM, including scholarship support 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029
    Strategic Objectives:
    Engaging in Research
    Continue to identify Scholarship opportunities
    Research connections for students and faculty with Capstone Labs

    Issues (Barriers)

    1. Difficulty identifying scholarship donors
    2. Development support not available
    3. Limited time to work on research grants

    Baseline

    1. No direct scholarships for our program

    Desired Outcomes

    1. Build Student Scholarship Program

  • Goal

    Increase local, state, and national program recognition through increased outreach to USC, KSOM, and CSD Community.

    Strategic Objectives

    Goal Increase local, state and national program recognition through increased outreach to USC, KSOM and CSD Community 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029
    Strategic Objectives:
    Track and support student publications and presentations at professional conferences
    Annual survey with alumni re their activities,  work settings and needs
    Newsletter – 2x year
    Participation in KSOM and USC events

    Issues (Barriers)

    1. Post-graduate engagement

    Baseline

    1. USC: Minor Program
    2. KSOM:
      • Part of Clinical Education Team for education matters
      • IPE Day
      • Leadership on KSOM Keck Pride
    3. CSD Community
      • Involvement in CA CAPCSD
      • NSSHLA Gold Standard Chapter Multiple Years
      • Faculty presenting at ASHA and CSHA
      • Appointments to ASHA and CSSHA leadership positions

    Desired Outcomes

    1. Documented activities

  • Goal

    Awarded Full Accreditation by CAA.

    Strategic Objectives

    Goal Awarded Full Accreditation by CAA 2026-2027 2027-2028 2028-2029
    Strategic Objectives:
    Complete Annual Reports each year by August 1st due date.
    Address any concerns raised in the Annual Report review
    Update syllabus and all necessary documents and instruction related to updated standards

    Issues (Barries)

    1. Time to work on reports for CAA for faculty and leadership
    2. Addressing needed changes related to standards revisions

    Baseline

    1. Initial full accreditation awarded July 2025 for 2025-2030

    Desired Outcomes

    1. Full 8-year accreditation awarded in 2029/2030

Mechanism for Regular Evaluation of the Strategic Plan

The Faculty of the MS Speech-Language Pathology Program reviews the strategies and goals of the Strategic Plan once a year during the annual (July) Faculty Retreat. The Strategic Plan is also be reviewed at the Annual Community Advisory meeting (October). In addition, the Strategic Plan is posted to the website.