Preparing Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students to Work with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations: A Program Design and Student Outcomes Study

Adequate service provision for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) clients has been an issue the field of speech-language pathology (SLP) grappling with. At root this is a lack professional CLD training in SLP programs diversity among students enrolled these programs. The current study described MS-SLP bilingual emphasis curriculum recruitment practices at Florida International University (FIU). Outcomes graduates were also explored. FIU program entails three dedicated courses on clientele with communication disorders across lifespan, infusion concepts all required courses, clinical practicum experiences clients, taking non-traditional approach admissions process by not making GRE scores compulsory. Through statistical analyses, graduate Praxis test compared to those graduates, nationally. White non-Hispanic/Latinx, Asian, Black FIU’s attained comparable while Hispanic/Latinx scored significantly higher than their counterparts, Implications include need reconsider traditional requirements which historically prevent many from being accepted into school. Only recruiting pragmatically implementing cultural competence objectives curricula will be able address critical shortage pathologists.