Accreditations & Accolades

The Communication Disorders Department at Minot State University received its original accreditation from the American Speech Language Hearing Association in 1965 under the direction of Dr. Edna Gilbert. The program has been continually accredited since that time, and is currently under the very able direction of Dr. Thomas A. Linares. The program enjoys wide support from both the professional community and the university. The 1996 accreditation report cited the CD Program as “a flagship program” in the profession. The graduate program in Speech Pathology is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association through 2012.

The undergraduate program consists of 128 hours: 38 general education hours, 40 in Communication Disorders, 28-29 required hours in related areas, 5-6 hours in psychology, 3 hours in aging, and remaining hours as electives. By averaging 16 hours per semester, the undergraduate degree can be earned in four years.

The CD facility was updated in 1996 and is considered “one of the best academic and clinical teaching facilities in the country.” In addition to over 20 therapy rooms, the clinic has an excellent voice laboratory, audiological facilities, and a computer center.

The University Administration has consistently supported the department recognizing it as one of the strongest graduate programs on campus. University support for the department has resulted in construction of new facility in which the Communication Disorders Department and Clinic are housed. The Communication Disorders Department alone occupies a 31,000 square foot area of this building.