PULLMAN, Wash. — Graduates of the Speech and Hearing Sciences master’s program at Washington State University Spokane have once again exceeded the norms on the PRAXIS exam, a national examination in speech-language pathology and audiology.
The latest data just received (2000-01) shows students in the audiology master’s program did exceedingly well, with 100 percent of graduates passing the exam compared to just 78 percent nationally. Eighty-five percent of speech-language pathology graduates from WSU passed the exam, compared to only 79 percent nationally. WSU SLP graduates earned a mean score of 653 compared to the national mean of 649.
“Because our curriculum emphasizes the application of science and research to clinical practice, our students become proficient in reasoning and problem solving relative to clinical principles and procedures. Building on this foundation, our students are able to derive the maximum benefit from clinical rotations in diverse settings with challenging caseloads,” said Dr. Gail Chermak, SHS chair.
Faculty members get a huge portion of the credit according to Chermak. “The individualized attention and supportive clinical supervision provided by our faculty undergirds the process,” she added.
Cutline for photo with the release at the WSU News Web site: www.wsunews.wsu.edu: WSU faculty member Jayanti Ray, assistant professor of Speech and Hearing Sciences is pictured with, left to right, Amy Williams and Terra Bleicher, SHS seniors; and Jessica Haugen and Anna Diedesch, both juniors.
