Optional Specialty Tracks and Electives
Students enrolled in the Speech-Language Pathology program at Midwestern University have the opportunity to participate in one of two specialty tracks - Capstone Track or Thesis Track. These options are for students who seek individualized mentorship in planning, executing, evaluating and disseminating the results of a service learning, research, or other community impact project (Capstone Track) or a more individualized systematic research experience (Thesis Track).
Capstone Track
The Capstone Track includes a three course sequence beginning in the Spring of students' first year (second year for part-time students electing the Capstone Track). Students will critically appraise evidence-based practices that are clinically relevant to the scope of practice in speech-language pathology, identify an area of need, and develop methods to address the need in the form of a research or service-learning project (Capstone I). Students implement their project aims in the Summer quarter (Capstone II) and the Capstone project culminates in Capstone III with evaluation and dissemination of the project outcomes (Fall quarter). Students electing the Capstone Track must complete all Capstone coursework sequentially according to their curricular track (i.e.,. traditional or part-time).
Thesis Track
The purpose of the thesis is for Midwestern University (MWU) Speech-Language Pathology students to conduct research that contributes new knowledge to the discipline. The Thesis process is student-driven, independent study with support from a mentor and committee comprised of faculty members with relevant expertise. Student learning outcomes include a) finding, summarizing, and synthesizing research evidence, b) developing research questions and hypotheses, designing study methods and collecting data, analyzing findings to answer research questions, and discussing findings in the context of past research and clinical implications. By the end of thesis curriculum, students must successfully complete a) a written and oral proposal b) a scientific manuscript, and c) an oral defense of findings. Students will be assigned to a designated faculty Thesis Chair to plan and develop a written Prospectus document including a literature review, research questions, and proposed methodology that will culminate into a Prospectus defense presentation over the course of four quarters. Students interested in this elective track will begin in the Winter quarter of the first academic year. Students must complete all required Thesis coursework (Thesis courses I-IV) sequentially and in accordance with their curricular track (i.e., traditional or part-time).
Other Elective Options
Students may also elect to enroll in other independent elective coursework opportunities, such as Dementia Care or Independent Study. The Dementia Care course includes classroom and practical hands-on experiences working one-on-one with individuals with dementia, and may include opportunities to work with students from other programs. Independent Study coursework provides another opportunity for students to pursue an area of scholarly inquiry into a topic of personal interest related to speech-language pathology theory and practice.