MOUNT VERNON, Ohio (October 27, 2022) — Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s Communication Sciences & Disorders (CSD) program was recently named one of the best in Ohio by CollegeFactual.com. The program ranked #5 Best Communication Sciences & Disorders Bachelor’s Program in Ohio in 2022.
According CollegeFactual.com, these are the top six programs for Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2022:
1 — Case Western Reserve University
2 — Baldwin Wallace
3 — Ohio University
4 — Bowling Green State University Main Campus
5 — MVNU
6 — University of Akron Main Campus
The program also ranked #2 in Ohio for Most Focused in 2021.
Current students and graduates are excited to see the high rank and are quick to explain how the program prepares students for vocational success.
“What makes MVNU unique is that we have small class sizes that ensure students to fully engage and professors to make sure students are truly learning the material,” said Claire Vogelmann, MVNU’s National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) President. “I am not just getting the basic knowledge of CSD, but the underlying and deeper aspects of what this vocation is about.”
MVNU is the only Nazarene university in the U.S., and the only member of the Coalition of Christian Colleges and Universities in the state of Ohio, to offer a degree program in Communication Sciences and Disorders. At MVNU, students gain real clinical experience through a speech therapy clinic that is not offered in most undergraduate programs.
“I chose MVNU’s CSD program because of the small class sizes, helpful/caring professors and undergraduate hands-on clinical opportunity,” said 2022 MVNU graduate Ellie Ruby. “I am in my first year of grad school, but the undergraduate knowledge from my CSD classes has helped in the classes and in the clinical module I am in. I have the foundational knowledge needed to understand and build upon for my graduate level classes.”
For five years straight, graduates of MVNU’s CSD degree have achieved 100% placement in graduate programs. Dr. Florence Hardjono, Assistant Professor and Program Director noted that CSD alumni are excelling in their graduate programs. As a result, graduate programs are aware that MVNU students are well prepared and ready for graduate school.
“Professor Jodeen Erfurt, MVNU Clinical Supervisor maintains superior clinical standard of excellence. She mentors the students and guides them through the two years of clinical practicum,” said Hardjono. “It is so rewarding to see how students’ clinical competence skills grow the last two years of the program.”
“The program prepared me for graduate school through the courses we took and the experience through clinical,” said 2022 MVNU graduate Peyton Broce. “It is comforting to see that material is familiar in my current courses and I am able to be successful. My comfort in the clinic is higher than other students from other undergraduate programs because of the amount of experience MVNU gave me.”
Jonah Barnett (’21) is a current graduate student at Ohio University. He said that he chose MVNU’s CSD program due to the diverse curriculum and unique professional opportunities offered to undergraduate students.
“The CSD program at MVNU prepared me to succeed in a graduate program by providing a diverse and rigorous curriculum that focuses on a holistic view of the speech-language pathology profession,” said Barnett. “The academic and professional expectations set by CSD faculty members are similar to the expectations set by competitive graduate programs. I entered my graduate program confidently due to the foundational knowledge I gained from MVNU.”
Katelyn Olewiler (’19) said the hands-on aspect of MVNU’s CSD clinical program gave her the experience, knowledge, and confidence she needed to succeed.
“The program prepared me for graduate school through the undergraduate clinical program,” said Olewiler. “It is so unique for a CSD student to come into graduate school with clinical experience. While many of my graduate program peers felt anxious to begin clinicals, I felt confident and prepared because of the MVNU CSD program.”
A pre-professional degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (Communication Sciences and Disorders) prepares students to pursue graduate degrees in speech/language pathology or audiology. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, speech/language pathology is expected to grow at a rate of 29% between 2020-2030, which is much faster than average. Audiology is expected to grow by 16%, which is also much faster than average. There is currently a critical shortage of audiologists in the state of Ohio and the surrounding regions.
