Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Associate in Science Degree

This degree prepares students for employment as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA). An SLPA works with clients/patients with communication disorders, under the supervision of a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). Communication disorders affect people of all ages, including infants, children, adults and seniors. Students will be trained to assist SLPs with the assessment and treatment of people with articulation, language, voice, fluency and other communication disorders. There are a variety of locations of practice which include educational, clinical and medical settings. Upon successful completion of this degree, the graduate will be eligible to apply to the Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology & Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (SLPAHADB) of the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs for registration as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant. Students will also be eligible to apply to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) for the voluntary Speech-Language Pathology Assistants Certification. SLPAHADB recognizes Pasadena City College (PCC) as an approved training program.

1. Prerequisites and Enrollment Limitations

Students must successfully complete, with grade C or better, or be concurrently enrolled in SLPA 018: Introduction to Communication Disorders, at the time of application. Refer to the SLPA webpage at www.pasadena.edu/slpa for selection criteria and application details or see a PCC counselor. Students enrolled in SLPA 018 at time of application must meet the successful completion standard of grade C or better to be accepted to the SLPA program. Enrollment in the remaining “SLPA-designated” courses is limited to students accepted in the SLPA A.S. degree program.

Before applying for admission, prospective students should consider the following information:

If selected for admission to the program, students are required to submit an application for a pre-clinical check. This may include background information such as County Criminal Records, Social Security Alert, Nationwide Healthcare Fraud & Abuse Registry, and Nationwide Sexual Offender Registry. The pre-clinical check may also include immunization history and drug screening, as well as other measures. This will be at the student’s cost. If the pre-clinical check is not successful, the student will forfeit their admission.

2. Requirements

To be eligible to earn the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Associate in Science degree, a student must successfully complete, with a grade of C or better, a total of 60 units, which includes 21 units of Speech Language Pathology Assistant “SLPA-designated” major requirements, 29-32 units of “Other” major requirements, and General Education courses from a selected GE pattern: CSU GE, IGETC, or PCC Local GE.

The "SLPA-designated" major required courses, with semester typically offered:

Fall and Spring

• SLPA 018

Fall Year 1

• SLPA 107 (SLPA 018 prerequisite)

Spring Year 1

• SLPA 115 (SLPA 018 prerequisite)

• SLPA 119 (SLPA 018 prerequisite)

Fall Year 2

• SLPA 123A (SLPA 107, SLPA 115, and SLPA 119 prerequisites)

Spring Year 2

• SLPA 123B (SLPA 123A prerequisite)

• SLPA 126 (SLPA 126S co-requisite. Prerequisite: Enrollment in or completion of SLPA 123B)

• SLPA 126S (SLPA 126 co-requisite)

The “Other” major required courses include:

• SPCH 010 Interpersonal Communication

• ASL 001 Elementary American Sign Language

• LING 012/ENGL 012 Language and Cross-Cultural Communication

• CHDV 010 Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children

• CHDV 030 Introduction to Children with Special Needs

• CHDV 105 Children with Challenging Behaviors

• CHDV 122 Practicum in Early Intervention/Special Education

• CHDV 122F Field Practice in Early Intervention/Special Education

• PSYC 024 Lifespan Developmental Psychology (or PSYC 021 Developmental Psychology: The Child AND PSYC 022 Developmental Psychology: The Adult)

• BIOL 011 General Biology or BIOL 011H Honors General Biology or BIOL 003 Human Biology

The culminating course, SLPA 126: Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Field Work, requires students to be available two full days per week, Monday-Friday, for the duration of the semester.

Students may begin taking "Other” major required courses at any time, prior to admission. PCC and the SLPA program may accept previous coursework for general education or “Other” major requirements based upon the college's transcript evaluation/course substitution process.

Many of the “SLPA-designated” courses have a scheduled clinical component, providing students with opportunity for hands-on application of knowledge, at different contracted sites, which may be on- and/or off-campus. It is the responsibility of students to transport themselves and to make themselves available for these experiences.

3. Course Substitutions

Often students begin this program after already completing another college degree. Substitutions may be accepted for the “Other” major required courses, based on the Course Substitution and degree policies and procedures of the college. No substitutions will be accepted for the “SLPA-designated” major required courses.

Note: This program is not designed for candidates who have earned a Bachelor's degree in Communication Disorders or Speech-Language Pathology and require a field work course in order to register with SLPAHADB as an SLPA. The field work course, SLPA 126: Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Field Work, requires completion of the PCC course prerequisites. The courses in this program are not designed as post-baccalaureate leveling courses for people interested in applying to Master's programs in Speech-Language Pathology.

4. Other requirements

The fees for admitted students include:

1. a student-paid background check (paid to a third-party) of approximately $38

2. a one-time purchase of a Student Malpractice Insurance policy when enrolled in the Fieldwork course, SLPA 126: Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Field Work. The cost of the policy varies based on student elections for policy limits and company. The cost is typically around $50.

If selected for admission to the program, students are required to complete a pre-clinical check. This may include background information such as County Criminal Records, Social Security Alert, Nationwide Healthcare Fraud & Abuse Registry, and Nationwide Sexual Offender Registry. The pre-clinical check may also include immunization history and drug screening, as well as other measures. This will be at the student’s cost. If the student’s pre-clinical check is not cleared, they will forfeit their admission.

Prior to entry into clinical components, students may be required to complete/obtain at their own cost, depending on the requirements of the site:

● A physical examination

● Criminal background/drug screen clearance

● CPR, HIPAA training, or other clinical site requirements

● Student malpractice liability insurance

24 degrees were conferred in 2019-2020. 18 degrees were conferred in 2020-2021 (enrollments were reduced as a result of conditions related to the global pandemic). Projected Annual Program Completers is 28.

The Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Associate in Science Degree program goal is Career Technical Education. Upon successful completion of this degree, candidates are eligible to apply for a California state license to practice as an SLPA.

The objective of this program is to complete the Associate's degree educational requirements for qualification to register as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) with the Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology & Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (SLPAHADB) of the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs. The curriculum for this degree aligns with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) guidelines for technical proficiency, ethical conduct, and Scope of Practice for a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant, as well as meet an educational pathway and prerequisite requirements for voluntary application to the ASHA Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Certification program.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Recognize and explain the Laws and Regulations pertaining to state registration as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant.

2. Demonstrate skills to provide direct treatment assistance to diverse clients/patients in multiple settings, under the supervision of Speech-Language Pathologist, by implementing treatment plans, conducting screenings without interpretation, assisting with assessment, and documenting client/patient progress.

3. Demonstrate appropriate workplace behaviors as a paraprofessional team member, under the supervision of a Speech-Language Pathologist, by responding appropriately to supervisory feedback, assisting with clerical and operational tasks, and supporting the prevention and advocacy efforts of the agency.

The “SLPA-designated” sequence of courses is offered based on the prerequisite requirements and takes students 2 years to complete.

Proposed Sequence:

Year 1, Fall: 12 units

Year 1, Spring: 12 units

Year 1, Intersession Part 1: 4 units

Year 1, Intersession Part 2: 4 units

Year 2, Fall: 12 units

Year 2, Spring: 6 units

TOTAL Units: 50-53 units

Students may select an appropriate General Education pattern to meet the General Education requirements. Different GE patterns may result in double counting of some units.

. Options:

• SLPA 126/126S is typically offered every Fall and Spring.

• Students may elect to take SLPA 126/126S after successful completion of SLPA 123B in a different semester.

• Students may be co-enrolled in SLPA 123B and SLPA 126/126S in the Spring semester only

• Students may progress through the program full- or part-time, following the prerequisite requirements

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
SLPA 018	Introduction to Communication Disorders	3	Prerequisite to apply for admission to SLPA AS degree program. Fall or Spring.
SLPA 107	Phonetics, Articulation, and Phonology	3	Y1/Fall
CHDV 010	Principles and Practice of Teaching Young Children	3	Y1/Fall
PSYC 024 OR  PSYC 021 AND PSYC 022	Lifespan Developmental Psychology OR Developmental Psychology: The Child AND Developmental Psychology: The Adult	3 OR 3 plus 3 (6)	Y1/Fall
SLPA 115	Child Language Development & Disorders	3	Y1/Spring
SLPA 119	Speech-Language Pathology: Professional Issues	3	Y1/Spring
CHDV 030	Introduction to Children with Special Needs	3	Y1/Spring
CHDV 105	Children With Challenging Behaviors	3	Y1/Spring
ASL 001	Elementary American Sign Language	4	Y1/Intersession
BIOL 011 OR  BIOL 011H (honors),  OR BIOL 003	General Biology OR Honors General Biology OR Human Biology	4	Y1/Intersession
SLPA 123A	Communication Disorders: Assessment & Remediation	3	Y2/Fall
CHDV 122	Practicum in Early Intervention/Special Education	2	Y2/Fall
CHDV 122F	Field Practice in Early Intervention/Special Education	1	Y2/Fall
LING/ENG 012	Language and Cross-Cultural Communication	3	Y2/Fall
SPCH 010	Interpersonal Communication	3	Y2/Fall
SLPA 123B	Adult Disorders: Remediation	3	Y2/Spring
SLPA 126	Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Fieldwork	2	Y2/Spring
SLPA 126S	Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Fieldwork Seminar	1	Y2/Spring

This is a CTE program within the Social Sciences Division. There is no similar program within the district.

Cerritos College: Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

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The Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) program at Pasadena City College has been conferring A.S. degrees since 2002, and such is a legacy program. The program has a COCI number conferred by the Chancellor's office: 10562. This program is approved/accredited by the Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology & Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (SLPAHADB) of the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs. The TOP Code is 12200.00 for Speech/Language Pathology and Audiology. The CIP Code is 51.0204 for Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist. An application for program recommendation is being submitted to the LARC as it appears to not have been previously brought up for consideration. A summary of changes for this modification: Review and update program for CTE Curriculum review cycle, and to incorporate information about the national certification available through the national association. 1. Update Educational Master Plan information 2. Change Division. This program was moved to Social Sciences at the beginning of the 21/22 academic year. 3. Clarify accepted course substitutions. 4. Clarify frequently asked questions about leveling courses and availability of fieldwork for certain candidates. 4. Update outcome to reflect the national association voluntary certification program, and a new document (Code of Conduct vs. Code of Ethics). 6. Switch order of outcomes.