Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic - School of Clinical Sciences

Although no referral is necessary, we receive referrals from all types of physicians, teachers at all levels, psychologists, a wide variety of individuals and agencies dedicated to human service and their former patients.

• Child case history form
• Adult case history form
• Authorization to release information
• NMU consent form

Submit your completed form(s) via email, fax or mail:

nmuspeechclinic@nmu.edu

Fax: 906-227-2178

Northern Michigan University
Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences Clinic
1401 Presque Isle Avenue
Marquette, MI 49855

We are housed in The Science Building of the Seaborg Science Complex, located on Center Street (see campus map). See our department secretary in The Science Building, room 1513, across the hall from the clinic, for a parking permit when you arrive for your first appointment. You must display this permit in your front windshield to be entitled to park in one of the “Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic” spaces in the lot adjacent to the clinic while you are receiving clinic services. If these slots are filled, you may feel free to park in any marked parking space in the lot with your permit displayed. If you follow these procedures and get a parking ticket, give the ticket to the department secretary so it can be voided.

Please note that only one parking permit will be issued for each family car per semester. Individuals needing a replacement must go to Public Safety in the Services Building on Sugarloaf Avenue. When a client is discharged from the clinic program, the parking permit must be returned to the department secretary.

Because the clinic is part of Northern Michigan University, we operate on the university schedule, offering services three semesters per year: winter (January - April), summer (May - July) and fall (September - December). We are closed during times the university is closed, including certain holidays, semester breaks and due to inclement weather. Your student clinician will advise you of the schedule for the semester during which you receive services. 

In the event the clinic must cancel your appointment due to student clinician illness or other unexpected events, we will contact you and reschedule. If you must cancel your appointment for any reason, please notify us ahead of time by calling 906-227-2076 or email:  nmuspeechclinic@nmu.edu. Please give us the name of your faculty supervisor and student clinician, as well as the reason for the cancelation.

Upon arrival for your appointment, patients and family members are to remain in the clinic waiting room until your student clinician comes to escort you to your treatment area. In no case should you enter the clinic area unescorted; this is to protect confidentiality of our services and to allow us to work uninterrupted.

Parents are invited to observe their child’s work with the student clinician. At these times, siblings are allowed in the observation area under parental supervision as long as they do not disrupt the work of the clinic. It is absolutely necessary to maintain these areas as dark, quiet, clean environments. Therefore, no food or beverages are allowed in the observation areas. Disruptive persons will be asked to leave.

Questions about any of the procedures we use in the diagnosis or treatment of communication problems or any of the other services we provide should be directed to the faculty member supervising the student clinician who will be working with you or your family member. Questions about the procedures and policies of the clinic should be addressed to the clinical coordinator. It is our goal that your contact with the NMU Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Program and Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic are pleasant and productive.

Any of our faculty supervisors can answer general questions about speech, language or hearing problems; their areas of particular interest are found on the faculty/staff page. Interested persons may call the Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic at 906-227-2125.

This varies for each client. It will depend on recommendations from the diagnostic evaluation report, the client's ability to attend to the tasks that need to be done, and the availability of the client, supervisor and student clinician. Generally, the more times and days during the week the family has available, the easier it is to schedule that client. A typical therapy schedule is twice weekly for 50 minute sessions.

No. However, you will be asked if someone referred you to our clinic and it is helpful for us to be able to communicate with referral sources.

Children and adults of any age with any type of communication disorder are welcome to inquire about services. Persons inquiring about services are encouraged to call the Clinic Coordinator, Diane Jandron at 227-2085 with specifics about the case to determine if the clinic will be able to meet the client's special needs.

There are occasions when services are unavailable on the days or times they are requested, and clients may be put on a waiting list. In addition, individuals who are medically fragile or who display behavioral problems that are beyond our students' capabilities will be monitored by our faculty supervisors. Any areas of difficulty will be discussed with the client or parent/guardian.

If the client must cancel for any reason, the clinic can be contacted at 906-227-2125. Please provide the client's name, day and time of the session to be cancelled, the name of the faculty supervisor and student clinician, and the reason for the cancellation. If clinical personnel must cancel the session, the secretary or student clinician will contact the client or parent/guardian. NOTE: The NMU Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic is closed during all times that NMU is closed, such as snow days, semester breaks, etc.

Regular attendance is vital for all concerned. For the client, missing sessions decreases the therapeutic value; for our student clinician, cancelled sessions mean fewer clock hours toward the requirements of American Speech-Language and Hearing Association certification; for the faculty supervisor, this is time that could have been spent with another client. If your faculty supervisor has any concerns about attendance, he or she will discuss them with you.

No. The client or parent/guardian must arrange all transportation to and from the clinic sessions.

The client or parent/guardian automatically get a copy and the NMU Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic will retain a copy for its files. Other copies are sent only to whomever the client or parent/guardian requests on the authorization to release information form.

Yes. In that case, we would like you to inform all agencies where you are receiving services that you are coming here. In addition, you will be asked to sign releases so that we can coordinate our services with these agencies.

We do not recommend it for young children. It can happen that they get upset during the course of their therapy and need consolation, and it can be devastating to a child to end the session and find his/her parent has left the building. In addition we do not have the capacity to baby-sit. If children must wait at the end of the session, a student clinician or faculty supervisor must wait with them and attempt to contact the parent/guardian. If we are unable to do so, we must contact Public Safety and Police Services on campus to assist us. Generally, it is best for all involved if parents are on the premises during the session.

Yes. We would ask you to indicate to us in writing that the child's relative or family friend has your permission to transport your child to and from therapy sessions.

Monetary contributions can be made through the NMU Foundation. Persons wishing to do so may make out a check payable to the NMU Foundation; if you wish the money to be used for the NMU Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic, please indicate that in writing. Mail it to the Northern Michigan University Foundation, 1401 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855. Contributions can also be made with a credit card online. The department and clinic gratefully accept these donations for equipment, materials and toys.

The speech-language pathology program is committed to the principle of equal opportunity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, citizenship, and status as a covered veteran. Questions pertaining to discrimination may be directed to the NMU MS-SLP Program Director at NMU 1401 Presque Isle Ave., Marquette, Michigan 49855, (906) 227-2095. 
 

Non-discrimination policy
https://nmu.edu/policies/685
 

Any person wishing to register a complaint related to the NMU MS-SLP program's compliance with accreditation standards should follow the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology complaint policy and procedures, which can be found at: 

https://caa.asha.org/programs/complaints/

Before filing a complaint, it is strongly recommended that you read Chapter XIII: Complaints in the Accreditation Handbook .