Title III Program Spotlight: Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders

The Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders Graduate Program has strengthened its academic rigor and clinical training through the support of Title III. Under the leadership of Dr. Jessica Sullivan, the program has expanded its use of digital textbooks for national certification exam preparation and increased opportunities through graduate assistantships and internship placements. These enhancements have contributed to a rise in national exam pass rates, now reaching 90 percent. Title III funding has also enabled the hiring of additional faculty and staff, providing students with greater one-on-one instruction and access to expert guest speakers who offer real-world insight into healthcare, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Founded in 1954 by Dr. Robert Martian Green, the program has grown from an undergraduate track into a leading graduate program that has trained generations of Speech-Language Pathologists. Students complete three clinical rotations across more than 60 affiliated sites from Richmond, Virginia, to Elizabeth City, North Carolina. In 2024, the department was named one of the nation’s top graduate programs by U.S. News & World Report.

Looking ahead, Dr. Sullivan plans to expand the program by increasing on-campus clinical space for students and patients, growing the department’s faculty and staff, and pursuing the creation of a doctoral degree in Speech-Language Pathology. These initiatives aim to broaden hands-on learning opportunities, strengthen regional partnerships, and further position the department as a leader in communicative sciences and disorders education.