Learning Outcomes for
Speech Communication Studies - 2 majors

Speech Communication Learning Outcomes

1. To develop the public speaking and communication skills necessary to effectively present speeches, run meetings, lead discussions and build rapport.
2. To develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that enable students to understand the intricate link between audience, speaker, and occasion.
3. To satisfactorily learn and enact the National Communication Associations' (NCA) eight public speaking competencies (see attached).
4. To learn the major communication theories in public speaking, interpersonal communication, self communication, intercultural communication, and group communication. Students will be able to incorporate these theories into their own speaking styles.
5. To understand the overwhelming importance of effective communication in all aspects of academic, professional, and everyday life.
6. To develop skills in diverse communication contexts including small groups, computer-mediated communities (using Blackboard. Prezi, WIMBA, etc. . .), and professional communities.
7. To understand that communication anxiety is a normal reaction to public speaking and speech communication and to learn techniques to minimize anxiety feelings and reactions.

Speech Language Pathology and Audiology Outcomes

1. To follow the American Speech Language Hearing Association's (ASHA) KASA requirements and prepare our students for future studies.
2. To teach students the differences between morphology, syntax, phonology, semantics, and pragmatics.
3. To teach students the distinctions between, normal, different, disordered communication.
4. To allow students to learn and live the ASHA Code of Ethics.
5. To introduce and require students to be professional, ethical, and empathetic in all clinical and professional encounters.
6. To introduce students to the clinical experience with 25 hours of observation and under supervision in our on-campus clinic.
7. To learn research methodology as it is applied to clinical and classroom work.
8. To be introduced to the technological requirements of the profession.
9. To learn the federal and state laws governing the profession.
10. To demonstrate knowledge and competency in normal acquisition of language, phonetics, communication disorders, audiology, aural rehabilitation, clinic, and communication skills.
11. To understand the importance of effective communication as an essential component to the therapeutic relationship.