Video Blog Post

I hope you all enjoy our very first video post. Feel free to comment below or email us at gradschool@stockton.edu with any questions!

-Jessica

Exciting News for the MSCD Program at Stockton!

          Stockton University Masters of Science in Communication Disorders Program has aligned with Adler Aphasia Center to provide the Aphasia Communication Group.  Masters students from the Communication Disorders Program will be working under the supervision of a certified speech-language pathologist and clinical affiliate, JoAnn Sabo, M.A., CCC-SLP, to assist with group facilitation as part of their clinical externship experience. This wonderful partnership allows the students to gain valuable experience while giving back to the community.

        The Aphasia Communication group is a free group open to the public. The group will meet twice per month to help patients with aphasia to practice speaking, develop alternative communication strategies, cope with the challenges of living with aphasia, and meet and interact with others with aphasia and their family.  The group will meet on the second and fourth Fridays of each month from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Stockton University’s Kramer Hall in Hammonton, NJ starting in March 2016.

       For more information, directions and to pre-register, contact

Wendy Greenspan at: 

• Phone:973.530.3981 or email at wgreenspan@adleraphasiacenter.org.

Directions also available at:   http://www.stockton.edu/hammonton

*Please note, you can join the group at anytime*

-Jessica

Tapping into Both Sides of your Brain!

            This semester my professor introduced us to a study game called KAHOOT. If you have not heard of Kahoot (like myself), I strongly recommend becoming a member. This was a great interactive way to get us all excited and involved in studying and the prize (chocolate!!!!). Not to mention it taps into both sides of the brain, which will only help to further learn the information better. We played two games of Kahoot in class, one primarily on Aphasia and the other on TBI. My professor even posted them to Blackboard prior to the exam so we could study on our own. This was a HUGE HELP. Especially with the Aphasia’s, because there are so many to remember. My only regret is that we didn’t learn this sooner in grad school.

How does Kahoot Work?

• You make up the questions by  creating a new game

• When you are ready to play, click start

• With your phone or iPad go to Kahoot.com or download the app

• Input the game code

• Make up a name for yourself

• Click join

• Then you are on your way

• A question will appear on the computer screen, you will then use your phone to respond. BE CAREFUL though, because you have to select the correct response and there are different colors and symbols in the choices.

Here are some examples from our game!

I would love to hear if you have any Study tips or Apps, comment below and let me know! Thanks for reading =)

-Jessica

Applying to Graduate School 101

      FIRST & FOREMOST

1.      Take a Deep Breath

2.      Remember how much you want this

3.      Make sure you stay organized

4.      Keep a Sweet treat in the kitchen for those stressful days

5.      Find something to distract you from the stress/nerves like: a TV show, the gym, hanging with friends, anything you like and do this at least once a week!!! Having “Me” time is very important!

6.      Remember nothing worthwhile comes easy, and if it was easy everyone would be doing it!

Time to Get Started!!                                         

•           Look into the schools you want to apply to and make a word document with their deadlines, admissions requirements, and address! This will help you in the long run…..TRUST ME. Organization will be your best friend! Don’t be afraid to apply to schools far away or a lot of  schools depending on your financial situation and the competitiveness of your program. 
•          Research if you are required to take the GRE’s, MAT, or GMAT for your program. Register for your test early, and remember not everyone is a great standardized test taker (I personally am not). Go in with an open mind the first time and try your best. Treat yourself to drinks, ice cream, or a nice dinner after, you deserve a break.

-Tip for the GRE’s: if you know where you want to apply send your scores the day you take your test. You will save yourself $100, because you can send them to four schools for free that day. Each time you send your scores it is $25.

• .         Ask your recommenders if they will write your letters of recommendation early, you want to give them plenty of time! Make them a folder with your resume, description of what you want to go to grad school for, un-official transcripts, the schools and their deadlines you are applying to, along with envelopes with an address and stamp for the school. This makes their lives easier, which ultimately makes your life easier. Less hassle for them means the better your letter could be, the quicker they could send it out, and the more appreciative that person is of your organization. The application process is changing, more and more schools are going paperless. Keep this in mind before asking your recommender for a letter. If the school(s) you are applying to is paperless, you may want to print out instructions for how to submit your letter for them. Additionally, make your online profile for those paperless schools early, so you are already in the system and are more familiar with the system.

• .         Start writing your resume and personal statements! Proof read, proof read, and proof read these. Have your friends, parents, siblings, co-workers and so forth read your personal statements. You can read your statement 100 times but, they may find something you didn’t. Bring your letter to your schools career center to get looked at, Christy Cunningham is AMAZING at Stockton!! Go early though, September-October would be great depending on your deadline! Each school is different and will require different essays. Also be on the lookout for two essays for some schools.

Tip:  -The hardest thing to do is write about yourself, don’t get discouraged!

- Make your personal statement unique and different!

- Add meaningful experiences, research topics that interest you, and things that make you a unique candidate. Schools want to see what you can bring to their program.

- You have to think like this; if there are 300 applicants applying for 30 spots, why should they pick you?

• .         For very competitive programs like Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy start the process early!! Some schools use general application systems such as CSDCAS, OTCAS, and PTCAS. Start these applications very early on. In addition, when you are submitting them, I would recommend to do so at least two months before your deadline. It can take some time for your application to be verified from them and sent to your school. Additionally, look to see if schools want your application to be completed, submitted, or verified by the deadline as these are different stages of the applicant process. The verification process takes the longest as that is the last step, keep that in mind.

Thoughts to Keep in Mind

- Stay organized

-    - Submit your best work, proofread everything AT LEAST twice. Then have someone else proofread it!

-          Take your time, do not rush through the application process.

-    Go see the schools you’re applying to! A school can look pretty and sound great online however, seeing it first-hand and speaking with faculty can completely change your mind!

-      - Apply to a random school down south or out west, do not be afraid to take a chance especially if your program is highly competitive.

-          Remember you can do this, this is step one to your dream career!

I hope you found this information helpful, if you have any additional questions about applying to graduate school (especially Stockton) feel free to comment below or email gradschool@stockton.edu.

-Jessica

That's a Wrap!

         It's official the Fall semester is officially completed! Now, it is time to enjoy some much needed relaxation and family/friend time over this winter break. I hope everyone has a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season, see you in 2016 for the Spring semester!

-Jessica

Graduate Research Symosium

Each semester The School of Graduate & Continuing Studies hosts a Graduate Research Symposium. This is an evening filed with some wonderful presentations of graduate students' research, capstone projects, and scholarship. Not to mention refreshments and great company! If you are a Stockton Graduate Student and interested is presenting your work at the next Graduate Research Symposium this spring please visit  http://intraweb.stockton.edu/eyos/page.cfm?siteID=73&pageID=323.

Here are some highlights from this semester's Graduate Research Symposium!

-Jessica 

Stockton's Speech & Hearing Clinic

       One of the many wonderful benefits of pursuing your Master's of Science in Communication Disorders at Stockton University is our Speech & Hearing Clinic. The clinic is conveniently located 5 minutes away from Stockton's main campus on Jimmie Leads Road.

Stockton Speech & Hearing Clinic Video

More information about the Stockton Speech & Hearing Clinic

Purpose

The major role of the Speech and Hearing Clinic is to introduce students to hands-on therapeutic techniques in speech-language and audiological disorders by providing a supervised learning experience in which to offer services to the community. Each student is expected to complete specified direct clock hours of observation, therapy, and evaluation. Certified members of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association closely supervise all students.
The Speech and Hearing Clinic is a function of the degree programs in Speech Pathology and Audiology at Stockton University. The clinic has two major purposes:

• To serve as a training ground for students who are preparing to become speech-language pathologists
• To provide therapeutic and diagnostic services for children and adults with disorders of communication

Clinic Services

The services of Stockton University Speech and Hearing Clinic are of two kinds: evaluation of speech, language, and hearing; and rehabilitation for those who need such help. 
Evaluations are conducted on an individual basis. As a result of the evaluation, a client may be enrolled in therapy, referred for additional testing, or referred to other resources.
Therapy sessions are performed by graduate students who work under the careful supervision of a speech-language pathologist or audiologist certified by the American Speech Language Hearing Association. Clients are seen once or twice a week for individual 50 minute sessions. 


      Students in Stockton's MSCD program complete their first clinical practicum at the clinic under direct supervision of ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologists. I can say from experience, clinic I is what gave me my true confidents as a clinician. I had an amazing supervisor, challenging clients, and learned more than ever imaginable. Ironically, I am still using things I learned with my school-aged clients in my current geriatric population.

 For more information on the Stockton Speech & Hearing Clinic please visit:

Website: http://intraweb.stockton.edu/eyos/page.cfm?siteID=168&pageID=53

Facebook: Stockton Speech & Hearing Clinic

                                                                                           -Jessica

The Final Countdown......

           It is hard to believe that in almost 9 months (pending I pass my praxis and comprehensive program examination lol fingers crossed) I will be a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist! My cohort found out earlier this month that we have the option to graduate this August or stay on our regular track for December. I have chosen to graduate this August. I chose this route for a few reasons: 1.) money, this will save me a whole semester of having to pay out of pocket for additional fees and possibly increased tuition. 2.) That final fall semester I would only be taking one class which seems silly to me. 3.) I will now be able to start my Clinical Fellowship in September verses January. This will not only allow me to finish sooner, but there will more opportunities (especially in schools). 4.) Finally, the obvious. I have been in school for a total of 18 going on 19 years, and as much as I love it I am ready to start my career and the next chapter of my life!

I know this route will not be easily but, I know it will be worth it. Next semester, I will be taking 1 core course, 2 electives, and completing my final clinical practicum in a school setting along with a class component. This summer, I will be taking a total of 3 courses, studying for my comprehensive program examination (which I will be taking in August), and studying for my praxis. In addition, I will be back in the office of Graduate & Continuing Studies which I CANNOT WAIT FOR, I miss my grad family!

When I think about the next couple of months I could cry inside of panic, stress, anxiety, and more. However, I know I am not in it alone. Other people in my cohort have chosen this option as well and we have already been taking about have study groups, wine nights, sleepovers, and more. The support of my cohort and family is what will help keep me pushing forward. Furthermore, the reward after it all is the real prize. Every day I will get to change/improve people’s lives and make a true impact on them. That feeling alone is motivation enough!

-Jessica