Professional Experience and Research
As a communication sciences and disorders major at Elmhurst, you will find plenty of opportunities to expand your skills and gain experience—in and out of the classroom.
Clinical Experience
You will immerse yourself in real-world practice, starting with at least 25 hours of structured observation hours as part of your practicum coursework. Once you have completed your observation hours, you will work with clients in Elmhurst’s own Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, participating in therapy, conferences with family members and clinical research.
Our dedicated Voice and Swallowing Center is equipped with a wide array of acoustic and imaging instrumentation. The Center features Pentax Kay Elemetrics Computerized Speech Lab, Nasometry, Kay Pentax rigid and flexible endoscopy with stroboscopy, and treatment software applications allowing for biofeedback.
Students may gain practical training in evaluation procedures for voice analysis and visualization, fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), as well as therapeutic applications and techniques using technology. The Center serves as an educational laboratory, a clinical resource for clients of the Elmhurst University Speech-Language-Hearing-Clinic (ECSLHC), and supports ongoing research programs in voice and swallowing.
The Elmhurst University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic has a fully equipped audiometric suite that is used for training undergraduate and graduate students. The suite features equipment to assess hearing acuity and functioning of the middle ear.
- Undergraduate students in the program learn to use the equipment through guided practice as part of their coursework.
- Graduate students conduct hearing screenings as part of diagnostic evaluations.
The facility features state-of-the-art clinical simulation laboratories equipped with high-fidelity manikins. These labs replicate real inpatient hospital settings and include life-size robotic simulation patients that can breathe, cry, sweat, and even simulate childbirth. It also includes a 360-degree immersive virtual reality laboratory, allowing students to practice clinical procedures in dynamic healthcare environments such as operating rooms and ambulances.
Fieldwork and Research
The Chicago area provides many opportunities to observe and conduct fieldwork. Students often present research results at the Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association convention and Elmhurst’s own Research and Performance Showcase. Students are able to complete observation hours at a variety of local schools, hospitals and private clinics.
Examples of Faculty-Mentored Undergraduate Student Research
Publications
Baxa, E., Morean, D. F., & Dunckley, K. T. (2020). We are missing the neurocognitive consequences of chemotherapy-induced hearing loss in pediatric brain tumor survivors. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 101(11). doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2020.10.103
Presentations
Milena Trojan & Karen Perta (May 2026): Muscle Physiology and Fiber Type Variation in the Vocal Tract: Clinical Relevance for Speech, Voice, and Swallowing. Elmhurst University Research Showcase Presentation.
Patrycja Goloszewski & Brenda Gorman (April 2026). The impact of social use and cognitive factors on language learning, retention, and attrition in multilinguals. National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), Richmond, VA.
Research Posters
Alia El-hindi & Cheri Carrico (May 2026): Children in Foster Care: Understanding Risk, Trauma, and Resilience (poster). Elmhurst University Spring 2026 Research and Performance Showcase Program.
Elizabeth Michniak & Cheri Carrico (May 2026): The Link Between Gene Mutation and Landau-Kleffner Syndrome (poster). Elmhurst University Spring 2026 Research and Performance Showcase Program.
Ayla Phillips & Cheri Carrico (May 2026): Klinefelter Syndrome: Important Considerations (poster). Elmhurst University Spring 2026 Research and Performance Showcase Program.
Alex Svistchov & Cheri Carrico (May 2026): Selective Mutism (poster). Elmhurst University Spring 2026 Research and Performance Showcase Program.
Samia Syed & Cheri Carrico (May 2026): Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Social Considerations, Treatment, and Research Findings (poster). Elmhurst University Spring 2026 Research and Performance Showcase Program.
Boik N. & Kremkow, J. (November 2025). Considerations for autistic individuals for enhanced integration into healthcare appointments (poster). National Collegiate Honors Council, San Diego, CA.
See also: examples of Faculty-Mentored Graduate Student Research.
Health Professions Advising
As a communication sciences and disorders major at Elmhurst, you will benefit from the expert guidance of our Health Professions Advising (HPA) program. The program brings together students from across the health care spectrum for workshops, internships, mentoring opportunities, focused advising, and assistance with the application process to graduate and professional school. In addition, HPA collaborates with the Philosophy Department to offer the medical humanities minor, which covers topics on compassionate, ethical, and culturally sensitive care of patients and clients.