Undergraduate clinicians are required to follow the same procedure for diagnostic evaluations as graduate clinicians.  At the undergraduate level, the details of carrying out these procedures, or any variations of these procedures, will be specified by the CD 424L instructor(s).

During their senior year, students begin their supervised clinical experience by observing sixty hours of clinical practice at the Marshall University Speech and Hearing Center.  For the purpose of this particular requirement, a “Senior” is defined as any student who has been approved by the faculty for admission to the Communication Disorders Program at the Senior level. 

During the Fall semester, students will attend an observation lab.  This lab will meet two times weekly for one hour.  Students will view videotapes of therapeutic and evaluation sessions.  Sessions will be discussed and observation reports completed to increase understanding of therapeutic and diagnostic methods.  Students will obtain additional hours of observation by observing sessions in the observation room during the hours that the clinic is open.  This will allow students to obtain 30 hours of observation by the end of the fall semester, 5 of which must be diagnostic observation hours.  Students are required to complete an MUSHC-15R (Observation Attendance Record), obtain the supervisor’s signature for each observation and write an observation report.  These forms will be verified weekly by the graduate assistant in charge of the lab.  Additional guidelines are specified in the lab syllabus.  The MUSHC-15R will be submitted along with an MUSHC-14S to the Clinic Director at the end of the semester.  The hours will be verified and placed in the student’s clinical file as a record of observation.

During the Spring semester, students will obtain an additional thirty hours of observation.  These hours will be completed by observing therapeutic and evaluation sessions in the observation rooms during the hours that the clinic is open.  Students should check the clinic and observation room schedule at the beginning of the week.  It will be posted in the student library and clinic office.  Students will set their own observation schedule around their class schedule.  They must observe a minimum of five hours of diagnostic sessions.  It is recommended that students complete ten hours of observation each month to ensure completion of thirty hours of observation by the end of the semester.  Senior observation records will be maintained and submitted to the G.A. in charge of the lab weekly and reviewed by the faculty member overseeing the lab at the end of the semester.

1. Professional Image:  Present yourself as a professional.  In the Center, appropriate attire for observers should reflect a "professional image."  Appropriate clothing must be worn when observing therapy and/or in the Waiting Room area.  **Jeans are not considered appropriate clothing.  Questions regarding appropriate attire may be directed to the Clinic Director or clinical supervisors.  If you have doubts as to whether something is appropriate or not, do not wear it.
2. Nametags:  Students are required to wear their Marshall University Speech and Hearing Center nametag at all times while observing.  You will be asked to leave the observation room by the Clinic Director or a clinical supervisor if you are not wearing your nametag.  No one outside the field of Communication Disorders shall observe in the Observation Rooms without the approval of the Clinic Director.
3. Check-in:  Request permission to observe.  Prior to the beginning of the observation session, introduce yourself to the clinical supervisor and request permission to observe.  Occasionally, there may be reasons that prohibit observation.
4. Punctuality:  Arrive on time for observations.  Arriving late for a scheduled observation demonstrates irresponsible behavior and you will not be allowed to observe the session.  You must observe the entire clinical session in order to receive credit for the observation time.
5. Confidentiality:  Respect client confidentiality.  Observations must not be discussed outside the clinic.  Names of clients should never be divulged, even in the clinic.  In your observation reports, refer to the person as "the client."  Do not discuss the client by name.
6. Ask:  Please feel free to ask questions of clinicians, supervisors, and other staff members.  However, the discussion between clinicians, observers, supervisors, or staff should NOT be conducted in the Waiting Room.
7. Ethics:  Abide by ASHA's Code of Ethics and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
8. Observe:  Improve your observation skills by tracking correct and incorrect productions, phonetically transcribing utterances and tracking data on test results.  This is for your benefit and will increase the skills and confidence you bring to your first practicum experience.
9. Document:  Write observation reports after your observation.  These reports will be provided in the class/lab in which you are enrolled.  In addition, submission procedures will be outlined in your class/lab.
10. Attend:  Students enrolled in an observation course are expected to attend labs regularly and meet all observation requirements.  Failure to do so will result in unsatisfactory completion of this experience and may affect a student's eligibility status for future practicum assignments.
11. Professional Conduct:  Observers should NOT eat, drink, study, or sleep while observing sessions.

Forms referenced in this section may be located by clicking here.