Speech-language pathology master’s program receives full accreditation

CBU graduate students from the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology lead activities during a Language and Literacy camp held in 2018.

Riverside, Calif. (Aug. 24, 2021) – The speech-language pathology graduate program at California Baptist University has received full accreditation for five years.

The accreditation comes from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA), which is within the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program received candidacy status in 2016 when the first students enrolled.

“Full accreditation status is evidence our program meets the rigorous standards established by ASHA and has consistently done so for many years,” said Dr. Bryan Ness, chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. “It is evidence of our active participation in ASHA and the quality of our program.”

During the candidacy period, CBU submitted yearly reports on course curricula, clinical practicum experience and student assessment. The program applied for full accreditation in fall 2020. The program completed a self study and underwent a virtual site visit this spring.

“For CBU, this means we continue to do what we have been doing—providing personalized, relevant and evidence-based academic and practicum experiences for students and demonstrating to our professional organization our commitment to uphold the highest standards of quality education,” Ness said. “CBU now transitions from being a ‘new’ speech-language pathology program to an established one, and we will be active members in our professional community.”

Dr. Candace Vickers, professor of communication sciences and disorders, founded the program and guided the department through the accreditation process.

“Receiving our full accreditation this year means the world to our faculty, staff and students,” Vickers said. “This is very important to students as they consider various graduate programs. It is the culmination of many years of work by a very dedicated team to create major infrastructure in both academic and clinical education.”