I. Introduction
The Post-Professional Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology (PP-SLPD) is designed to prepare speech-language pathology practitioners to address trends in the ever-changing healthcare and education system, through application of systematic evidence-based and theory-driven coursework and doctoral project (referred to as “Capstone Project”). The PP-SLPD program is a 34-credit, fully online program that provides students with a foundational skill set including leadership, teaching, and communication components that will enable Speech-Language Pathology practitioners to lead on interprofessional teams and within organizations. The program prepares licensed speech-language pathologists to assume advanced professional roles including, but not limited to, advanced clinicians, speech-language pathology department supervisors, health care administrators, and educators. Specifically, graduates of the MGH Institute PP-SLPD program will be able to:
- Evaluate solutions and/or programs to address gaps in professional practice.
- Apply advanced clinical reasoning in the practice of speech-language pathology.
- Address social determinants of health within diverse patients, populations and organizations.
- Incorporate health management, maintenance, and health promotion into practice.
- Cultivate teaching skills to contribute to speech-language pathology education in academic and clinical settings.
- Develop leadership and advocacy skills to influence policy and/or system-level change at the organization, local, state, and national levels.
- Communicate an evidence-based, theory-driven solution to a health care and/or speech-language pathology problem to national and international audiences.
- Lead interprofessional teams at the organization level.