Jacqueline Towson, PhD, CCC-SLP is an assistant professor and serves as the director of the CSD master’s program, as well as the associate director for the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Central Florida. She holds a joint appointment in the School of Teacher Education. Her primary research focus is on building the capacity of individuals who work with young children with language impairments and those at-risk. Towson teaches courses focused in child language development and disorders, specifically for toddler and preschool children. She has presented at state, national and international conferences on classroom-based interventions for preschool children with significant language impairments and those considered at-risk. She is actively engaged in community-based research through partnerships with public, private and charter preschools in the Orlando area. Her work is funded through the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and the Central Florida Foundation. Towson is Co-PI of Project ASD, an interdisciplinary preparation grant through the Office of Special Education Programs. She received her Bachelor of Science in Audiology and Speech Pathology from Florida State University, followed by her Master of Science in Communication Disorders from the University of Texas at Dallas. She worked clinically for fourteen years as both a speech-language pathologist and early childhood special education teacher in local school districts, with extensive experience in child language assessment. Towson completed her doctoral degree in the Education of Students with Exceptionalities with a focus in Early Childhood Special Education at Georgia State University.
Credentials
- Ph.D., Doctor of Philosophy, Education of Students with Exceptionalities, Georgia State University
- CCC-SLP, Certificate of Clinical Competence for Speech-Language Pathologists
Areas of Specialty
- Language Disorders
- Language Acquisition
- Emergent Literacy
- Preschool And School-Age Speech Language Pathology
- Language And Literacy
Research Lab Affiliations
Research Grants
Technical Assistance and Training System for Programs Serving Prekindergartne Children with Disabilities (TATS)
Preparing Special Education Teachers and Speech-Language Practitioners in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Reading Beyond the Book: Implementing Dialogic Reading to Improve Language and Emergent Literacy Skills for Preschool Children with Significant Language Impairments
CSD Consortium Track Debuts in Spring Allowing Students to Earn Degree in Almost Half the Time
The UCF School of Communication Sciences and Disorders master’s program has improved its long-standing consortium track, which was designed around students working in local schools as speech-language therapists. Beginning Spring...
UCF Researcher Provides Resources for Professionals to Aid Young Children with Developmental Disabilities
Jacqueline Towson, a dually certified professional in speech-language pathology and early childhood special education, uses her unique perspective to enhance training and support for professionals who work with children who...
Foundational Questions: A Researcher’s ASHF-Launched Quest for Answers
UCF’s Jacqueline Towson explores how teaching technology can be optimized to build graduate students’ interprofessional skills.
Researcher Spotlight: Jacqueline Towson Advances Early Literacy for Children Through Evidence-Based Practice Research
For nearly 15 years before coming to UCF, Jacqueline Towson served in the Georgia and Texas public school systems as a speech-language pathologist and an early childhood special education teacher; and later, as an administrator of those programs. As rewarding...
CSD Faculty, Students and Alumni Present at Annual ASHA Convention in Washington, D.C.
Faculty, students and alumni from the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders will participate in this year’s ASHA Convention, both in-person and virtually, from Nov. 18-20 in Washington, D.C. Experts from around the country will share research,...
Research Roundup: Recent Publications By CHPS Faculty Spring 2021
Our faculty pursue big ideas and share what they learn by publishing their research to advance scientific discovery. As part of an institution designated as “very high” research activity by...
Eight CSD Graduates Earn Specialized Certificates Thanks to Federally Funded Programs
Thanks to CSD faculty for successfully submitting grant proposals, funding from the US Department of Education supported eight graduates from the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders toward their master’s degree,...
Three Faculty Members Receive Research Incentive Award
Congratulations to the three CHPS faculty members who received the 2021 UCF Research Incentive Award. This year’s winners from the College of Health Professions and Sciences are: Jacqueline Towson, from...
CSD Program Helps Young Mothers Instill Early Language Skills in Their Children
For the past four years, graduate clinicians in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders have been hosting playgroups that are not only fun for the babies, but also help...
Research Roundup: Recent Publications By CHPS Faculty Fall 2020
Our faculty pursue big ideas and share what they learn by publishing their research to advance the profession. As part of an institution designated as “very high” research activity by...