April 2024

U.S. News & World Report ranks several HPS programs top in the state, among the nation’s best

U.S. News & World Report has ranked six UNT College of Health & Public Service graduate programs in the top 10 in the State of Texas for 2024. The Department of Public Administration M.P.A. program came in at No. 1 in Texas and No. 8 in the nation in local government management – holding steady with last year’s rankings. UNT also holds its prestigious spot at No. 4 in the state and is No. 76 overall among the 271 public affairs graduate programs ranked this year.

“I’m very proud of our exceptional faculty and staff, along with our outstanding alumni and boards who have helped grow the reputation of our programs,” said Simon Andrew, chair of the Department of Public Administration. “It truly is an honor every year to be ranked so highly by our peers and to know that our efforts do not go unnoticed.”

In the homeland security and emergency management category, HPS remains top in the state, and came in at No. 5 overall. UNT has long been a pioneer in emergency management education, having established the nation’s first bachelor’s degree program in 1983 – more than 40 years ago. Today, HPS offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in the Department of Emergency Management & Disaster Science (EMDS). The MPA program, within the Department of Public Administration, collaborates with EMDS and offers a specialization in emergency management.

In the Department of Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology, the Doctor of Audiology program tied for No. 3 in Texas, ranking No. 55 overall. The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology also landed a spot in the top 10 in the state – ranking No. 6.

“While we know rankings aren’t everything, it’s always an honor to be recognized by outside entities for our continued dedication to excellence in research, education and service,” said Nicole Dash, dean of the college. “Our mission is to develop leaders who advance a healthy, equitable and just society, and these top rankings speak to the high quality of our programs, expertise of our faculty and ability to provide our students with a top-tier education.”

The master’s in rehabilitation counseling in the Department of Rehabilitation & Health Services is also a top-ranked program, sitting at No. 1 in the state and No. 13 overall based on 2023’s numbers – the last time it was reviewed. The department offers three other graduate programs including the highly successful new Master of Science in Health Data Analytics, a Master of Science in Health Services Administration and a Ph.D. in Health Sciences with a choice of three concentrations – Applied Aging and Rehabilitation Science, Behavioral Analysis and Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology.

HPS also offers graduate programs in behavior analysis, criminal justice and social work, as well as 10 undergraduate programs, multiple grad-track pathways and online certification programs. For more information on the College of Health and Public Service and any of its degree programs, visit hps.unt.edu.

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UNT Speech & Hearing Center offering speech-language pathology summer camps for elementary through young adult participants

A variety of camps coordinated and supervised by licensed speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in the UNT Department of Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology will be held at the UNT Speech & Hearing Center for the summer of 2024. Graduate students will provide treatment under the expert guidance of the SLPs as they gain invaluable experience toward their degrees. In addition, thanks to private funding, the camps are being offered at a discount rate, including a free camp for users of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).

Click here to register by the May 20 deadline.

The following camps will be offered:

AAC Communication & Connection Group

Age 8-16
8 sessions total
Dates:

  • May 28-June 20: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9-11 a.m.

Location: UNT Environmental Education, Science & Technology Building, Room 115, 1704 W. Mulberry St., Denton
Cost: Free (completely grant-funded)

This group will focus on socialization with similar aged peers who utilize augmentative and alternative communication. Participants will have the opportunity to build meaningful and effective conversations through practice with peers.

Attendees need to currently use and have possession of a personal AAC system, be independent with toileting, and able to safely participate in and attend group activities. Documentation of current skill level through most recent evaluation and treatment goals is required.

Articulation Bootcamp

Age 7-13
8 sessions total (each camp)
Dates:

  • June 3-6, 10-13: 9-11 a.m. (Age 7-9)
  • July 1-3, 8-12: 9-11 a.m. (Age 10-13)

Location: UNT Speech and Hearing Center, 907 W. Sycamore St., Denton
Cost: $200 per camper

Children will participate in individual and group speech therapy activities targeting correct production of speech sounds while enjoying socialization, hands-on crafts, projects and games.

Attendees must be independent with toileting and other self-management skills and have a documented articulation disorder from school or other speech therapist. They also will attend a baselining appointment prior to their camp.

Lunch Bunch Social Communication Group

Elementary & Middle School
4 sessions total for each camp
Dates:

  • June 4-25: Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (Grades 3-5)
  • June 6-27: Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (Grades 6-8)

Location: UNT Speech and Hearing Center, 907 W. Sycamore St., Denton
Cost: $100 per camper

Join our lunchtime social communication group and build your child’s confidence in communicating with others. The program focuses on teaching effective pragmatic skills by giving your child the opportunity to practice and use the skills taught in a more natural setting. Conversational skills, such as turn- taking, maintaining topic of conversations, initiating/participating, and asking/answering questions will be targeted as well as other possible pragmatic skills of active listening, expressing feelings, perspective taking of others, making friends, compromising etc. may be targeted.

Lunches will be provided.

Attendees must be verbal (may consider use of AAC device) with no history of significant behavior difficulties that could affect the overall group dynamics.

Happy Campers Speech Club: Fluency Camp for School-Aged Children Who Stutter

Grades 3-5
4 sessions
Dates:

  • June 4-25: Tuesdays, 1-3 p.m.

Location: UNT Speech and Hearing Center, 907 W. Sycamore St., Denton
Cost: $100 per camper

The camp will focus on fun and interactive age-appropriate games and activities that enhance the campers' knowledge of stuttering and of fluency; teach/learn about, explore, and play with speech and speech strategies; help to develop healthy thoughts and attitudes towards speech; and participate in activities that create a safe space for speech. The camp will be open to children in grades 3-5 who have been previously diagnosed with stuttering.

Attendees need to have minimal co-morbid diagnoses and have adequate language skills.

For questions or more information, call (940) 565-2262 or email SpeechHearingClinic@unt.edu.

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