Why Major In Communication Disorders at Truman?

• Individual attention: Teaching and advising are our highest priorities. You will have an academic advisor who is a CMDS faculty member (see Faculty & Staff profiles). We make sure that CMDS majors receive preferred registration for major required classes, so that you can graduate on time.
• Undergraduate clinical opportunities: Truman offers a Clinic or Non-Clinic option to CMDS majors (see Undergraduate Curriculum). Although many universities have discontinued undergraduate clinic opportunities because of their high cost in faculty time and resources, it is our position that this is an essential experience for students before they commit a graduate program and finishing their professional credentials. The Clinic option (requires GPA=3.00 or better) includes 25 clock hours of observation, the opportunity to be a Clinical Assistant spring of junior year, and Clinical Practicum during the senior year.
• Working with talented peers in a supportive environment: Of your classmates in communication disorders at Truman, 85-90 % will plan to go for at least a master’s degree. You will become accustomed to doing your best work among a group of highly motivated peers, but in an atmosphere that encourages collaboration and mutual support. Most CMDS majors are members of Truman’s chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association, known locally as the Communication Disorders Association.

 Freshman Picnic

Working in the clinic

• Broad experience in liberal arts and sciences. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the best way to prepare for advanced study and a career in communication disorders is to obtain an excellent background in liberal arts and sciences. This is exactly what the undergraduate experience at Truman provides.
• Choice of B.A. or B.S. degrees: The CMDS program offers both the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Sciences degrees (see Undergraduate Curriculum). Both degrees are equally valued by potential graduate schools and employers.
• Successful graduate school preparation: Truman CMDS majors enjoy a very high admission rate to their first choice of graduate programs. In addition to all of the fine public and private master’s programs within the state of Missouri, Truman graduates routinely obtain early admission and financial support at many prestigious communication disorders programs across the country. Recently these have included programs at: Vanderbilt, Gallaudet, Indiana University, University of Illinois, University of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa, University of Nebraska, Howard University, University of Minnesota, and the University of Kansas.
• Research opportunities: Many CMDS students take advantage of the undergraduate research opportunities provided at Truman. Within the program we have an ongoing volunteer student research group (open to students at all levels) that explores the clinical uses of new technology. In addition, CMDS students are frequent recipients of Undergraduate Research Stipends and McNair Scholar research opportunities. Students majoring in CMDS have participated annually at Truman’s distinguished Undergraduate Research Conference for the past 18 years. Undergraduate students present regularly at the annual convention of the Missouri Speech Language Hearing Association (examples), which is a signal honor more common for master’s or doctoral students.

• Modern, comfortable facilities: The clinical facilities at Truman are attractive and well-designed for instruction. All therapy rooms have direct observation and videorecording capability. Our primary classroom includes Smart technology for interactive projection capability and video capture.
• Outstanding clinical materials and technology: Truman's clinic houses an unsurpassed collection of traditional therapy materials, tests, and  clinical technology resources (see the McGuire Media Center and labs) available to students all day every day.
• Satisfaction with results: Alumni surveys and contacts consistently indicate high satisfaction with the undergraduate and graduate preparation received at Truman.
• Location: In the heart of a quiet, safe community with the best that small-town life has to offer (see www.kirksvillecity.com)
• Good value: Truman has been widely acknowledged as an excellent educational value. Be sure to compare our tuition and the cost of living in Kirksville with your other choices.

Call us. Make arrangements to visit our program and talk to students and faculty. Truman could be just what you're looking for.