Date of Defense

4-14-2014

Date of Graduation

4-2014

Department

Speech Pathology and Audiology

First Advisor

Kathryn Hillenbrand

Second Advisor

Cary Cekola

Third Advisor

Kristina Ledlow

Abstract

The researcher of the following study recognized that undergraduate students in the speech-language pathology and audiology program at Western Michigan University feel unprepared and anxious about applying to and attending graduate school. The following study was conducted in order to determine the effectiveness of a panel presentation in preparing undergraduate students for applying to and attending graduate school. A professional panel of five nationally certified speech-language pathologists was gathered to give a presentation to the speech-language pathology and audiology undergraduates aiming to expand the knowledge base and reduce the anxiety that undergraduates possessed about attending and applying to graduate school. 32 third-year and fourth-year undergraduate speech-language pathology and audiology students planning to pursue a graduate degree in speech-language pathology or audiology were issued anonymous pre-presentation and post-presentation surveys. The survey consisted of twelve questions that inquired about participants’ knowledge of the aspects of graduate school and the application process, and about their level of anxiety. Analysis of the data revealed an increase in knowledge following the presentation for all participants in this study, but all participants also displayed an increase of anxiety following the presentation. Results suggest that a panel presentation was effective in preparing speech-language pathology and audiology undergraduate students for applying to and attending graduate school, but increased anxiety levels are a side effect of the newfound knowledge gained from the panel presentation.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Open Access

Additional Files
Honors- Presentation FINAL.pdf (1204 kB)
PowerPoint Presentation
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