EIU Master of Science in Communication Disorders and Science

Graduate Student Research

EIU's graduate program offers a unique opportunity for ALL graduate students to participate in research!

• Students enroll in CDS 5000 Research Methods in CDS and then in CDS 5001 Research Experience in CDS.

• Students complete paired research projects with clients in the clinic or in the local community focusing on evidence-based practices.

• Many students present their findings at both the state (ISHA) and national (ASHA) conventions, offering all students the opportunity to learn about research and professional communication.

Students may also choose to complete a Master's Thesis with any of the knowledgeable faculty, focusing on current faculty research interests or novel research questions.

Chelsea Fitch: Improving Phonological Awareness and Changing Lives

Published on Apr 8, 2014 Chelsea Fitch, a graduate student in the Communication Disorders and Sciences Department, has been working with four children from Carl Sandburg Elementary School who are deaf or hard of hearing to improve their phonological awareness, a key component of reading. Fitch teaches the students lessons weekly and has been working with Dr. Tena McNamara to link music and speech pathology together to help the four students.

Masters Thesis List 2012-Present

2018

Assessment and Analysis of Receptive and Expressive English Language Development in Spanish Speaking ELLs and Native English Speakers Using the Pre-KLBA

Author Candace LaPrairie, Thesis Chair Angela Anthony

2017

Preschool Oral Narrative Retell Intervention: A Contextualized Approach

Author Megan Miller, Thesis Chair Nichole Mulvey

2015

Spanish-English Bilingual Adolescents' Attitude towards Home Language: Effects on Narrative Language

Author Rebecca Hunt, Thesis Chair Angela Anthony

The Effects of Cued Speech on Phonemic Awareness Skills

Author Jessica Phillips, Thesis Chair Angela Anthony

Written Discourse Performance after Blast Injury

Author Brittany Loomis, Thesis Chair Brenda Wilson

2014

The Long-Term Effects of an AAC Communication Partner Training Program

Author Brooke Capp, Thesis Chair Trina Becker

The Effect of Music Instruction on Phonological Awareness in Children with Hearing Impairment

Author Chelsea Fitch, Thesis Chair Tena McNamara

2013

The Effects of a Communication Partner Training Program

Author Stephanie Fanale, Thesis Chair Trina Becker

Sensorimotor Factors Influencing /r/ Production

Author Jill Vogt, Thesis Chair Rebecca Throneburg

2012

Visual Phonics and Phonological Awareness Intervention:Stability of Gains in Language and Literacy

Author Mara Hampton, Thesis Chair: Tina Veale

Signal-To-Noise Ratio of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Devices Across Educational Settings

Author Hope Lorenz, Thesis Chairs Tena McNamara and Trina Becker

Executive Functions in Preschool Children with Specific Language Impairment

Author Kathleen Trainor, Thesis Chairs Jill Fahy and Rebecca Throneburg

Inferencing Abilities of Children with Specific Language Impairment

Author Kelsey DePew, Thesis Chair Tina Veale

The Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Delivered Via Distance Therapy

Author Kate Harrington, Thesis Chairs Frank Goldacker and Rebecca Throneburg

Graduate Student Jeanna Probst and Assistant Professor Trina Becker give insight into Jeanna's graduate research.

The Effect of Person versus AAC Directed Apraxia Therapy on Elicited Imitation for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Author: Jeanna Probst; Thesis Chairs: Gail Richard and Trina Becker