Linda Spencer, PhD, CCC-SLP, serves as the program director of the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology with a medical emphasis (MS SLP) program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP). Dr. Spencer obtained her PhD from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Before coming to RMUoHP, Dr. Spencer was the program director for New Mexico State University’s speech program.
When looking into starting the MS SLP program at RMUoHP, Dr. Spencer was intrigued to have the opportunity to build a program from scratch in an environment that was supportive, dynamic, and oriented to medical professionals. Now that Dr. Spencer has been here for some time, she states that she truly loves the culture, the support from administration, and the energy of our faculty and students. Her favorite aspect of being the program director is “being able to watch the students grow in their knowledge and skills.” The MS SLP program at RMUoHP is unique in that the program “is very student-oriented and hands-on. We provide support for the students, and we listen to them in order to guide their success.”
“My faculty and I consider it a privilege to be a part of this organization that will contribute to the future of healthcare.”
The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS SLP) with a medical emphasis program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions is a 24-month, full-time residential program that includes a mixture of traditional lecture/lab and blended/online courses. The program includes six semesters of classroom and clinical experiences as preparation for practice in medical settings.
MS SLP students experience at least 25 hours of clinical observation and 375 hours of direct and simulated patient contact in a broad array of clinical settings. Clinical settings include, but are not limited to, hospitals, clinics, rehab facilities, acute care rehab facilities, long-term acute care facilities, public and private schools, outpatient facilities, and skilled nursing facilities. Students acquire these hours under the supervision of a qualified professional who holds ASHA certification in Speech-Language Pathology. Upon graduating from the MS SLP program, graduates are prepared to certify for ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC).
When potential students are looking into MS SLP programs, Dr. Spencer advises that they “enter into graduate school knowing that you are a future service provider who will guide many families and patients through good and bad times. Use this as an interval part of your education, to experience as many opportunities you can to grow in your knowledge and to keep that flame of curiosity bright throughout your career.”
There are a variety of ways that applicants can stand out from a crowd of other applicants. When looking into prospective students, Dr. Spencer, as well as the MS SLP program, look for students who are wanting to commit themselves to the speech-language pathology profession, who are flexible thinkers, problem solvers, and life-long learners.
Currently, the MS SLP program is working on building the clinical piece of the program so that they can serve the community’s needs for speech, language, voice, and swallowing therapy. A few weeks ago, the MS SLP program opened the Rocky Mountain University Center for Communication Disorders. With the help of students, faculty, and staff, this was truly a great accomplishment not only for the MS SLP program but for RMU and members of the community as well.
The MS SLP program’s main hope for alumni of this program is well stated by Dr. Spencer: “I hope that when individuals graduate from RMUoHP, they will feel prepared to continue their growth as a professional, and have the confidence, knowledge, and skills that will allow them to have a successful career of service to others. I also want them to take away a feeling that they have received the nurturing, inspiration, and modeling that will allow them to achieve a work-life balance.”
