Sandra Cohn Thau

Director of Clinical Education

Betsy Micucci

Clinical Instructor in Communication Sciences & Disorders and Director of Clinical Programs

For both Betsy Micucci and Sandra Cohn Thau, a love of speech-language pathology springs largely from the dynamic nature of the field. “It’s ever changing,” says Betsy, “and there are new populations to work with all the time.”

Helping Emerson’s graduate students experience this variety of clients is these women’s job. Betsy gets students started with placements at one of Emerson’s seven on-campus clinics. Sandy tracks students’ clinical work throughout their time at Emerson to ensure that they are meeting both Emerson’s requirements and those of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Betsy and Sandy work closely together to see that students can fulfill their clinical needs—to gain specific skills or exposure to particular populations.

Both teachers appreciate how Emerson empowers its students. “The program is rigorous and demanding academically, yet the students are supported well enough that the goals feel achievable,” Sandy says. Betsy agrees. “We try to always see the students as individuals.”

One highlight of their work is welcoming their students as colleagues. “It’s so gratifying to see our former students supervising and guiding the internships of our students today,” Sandy says.