Mission

The mission of the Graduate Program in Human Communication Health is to educate and prepare professionals to become fully sensitive to the various aspects involved in human communication health. These professionals are prepared to conduct research aimed at health promotion, diseases prevention, as well as the evaluation, diagnosis, development, and rehabilitation of communication disorders, all within an interdisciplinary context. This mission aligns with the university's Institutional Development Plan (PDI 2019–2023), which emphasizes teaching at UFPE as an educational activity that mediates the relationship between students and historically constructed knowledge. From this perspective, students are active participants in the construction of their own knowledge, and teaching practices must incorporate the problematization of reality, interdisciplinarity, and dialogical engagement—essential elements for building a pedagogical relationship that fosters student autonomy.

In the field of research, the program focuses on generating knowledge by anticipating future challenges, mitigating current problems, and integrating outreach activities. This integration is considered strategically essential as it connects teaching and research, addressing social demands through dialogue between the university community and society. The goal is to promote social, cultural, and economic development at both regional and national levels.

At the regional level, the program aims to strengthen connections with graduate programs in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology at other universities and research institutes, as well as with other programs within Area 21 (CAPES) and related fields at UFPE. Nationally and internationally, the program seeks to continue and expand partnerships in research, technical visits, co-advising, and the development of postdoctoral fellowships with Brazilian and international institutions specializing in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.

Ultimately, this program demonstrates its strong potential for interdisciplinarity and its commitment to addressing regional social demands. It places significant emphasis on research related to outreach activities, which are tied to a program and projects registered with the Pro-Rectory of Extension and Culture (PROExC) at UFPE.

 

Vision

To expand the Graduate Program in Human Communication Health by establishing a doctoral program and consolidating its position as a reference in the Northeast region of Brazil. The program aims to excel in teaching, research, and the education of highly qualified professionals, capable of acting innovatively and critically to promote development and social equity through knowledge related to human communication health.  

 

Program Objectives

The overarching goal of the program is to prepare professionals to lead studies and research in human communication health through a high-quality education focused on the production and dissemination of scientific knowledge.  

The specific objectives are:

1. To educate and prepare professionals in the field of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, contributing to the advancement of teaching and research in diverse dimensions related to Human Communication Health.  

2. To develop teaching and pedagogical skills for work in higher education, at both undergraduate and graduate levels.  

3. To promote education focused on leadership in scientific research, providing strong conceptual, theoretical, and methodological foundations to foster autonomy and critical analysis in the process of constructing scientific knowledge.  

4. To contribute to the development of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology as both a science and a profession in the Northeast region, aiming to ensure that scientific education enables research aimed at solving social issues related to health and education in the context of human communication.  

 

Graduate Profile

Expected Graduate Profile

The expected profile for graduates of the program includes professionals who demonstrate the skills and competencies to:  

1. Educate and train human resources, particularly researchers, for roles in higher education and research centers.  

2. Produce high-quality scientific work and disseminate knowledge in the field of human communication health.  

3. Lead and critically engage in the development of research on human communication health within an interdisciplinary context.  

4. Perform clinical and/or administrative roles in health, education, and related institutions, with a focus on interdisciplinary and interprofessional approaches.  

5. Plan and implement research projects, as well as clinical or social interventions at regional, national, and international levels.