Why Choose USU for SLPA preparation?
Speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) work under the supervision of master-degree speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in educational settings, supporting students with speech-language impairments and learning difficulties. There are strong preK-12 job opportunities across the U.S., with SLPA employment duties and eligibility requirements varying by state and employer. For SLPA licensure requirements by state, see USU State Authorizations (USU Online State Authorizations) or ASHA State-by-State (https://www.asha.org/advocacy/state/). Individuals should also check with their own state and employer for the most current and specific information.
The USU SLPA certificate can be obtained with just 9 courses (25 semester credit hours) combined with a bachelor's degree in any major. USU SLPA certificate holders are eligible to apply for national SLPA certification (C-SLPA) through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). For C-SLPA, applicants also complete some online instructional modules and the ASHA SLPA certification exam, plus submit clinical experience verification, academic records, and fees. For more information on the ASHA C-SLPA, click here. For ASHA's Frequently Asked Questions about C-SLPA, click here.
It should be noted that working SLPAs can apply directly for ASHA C-SLPA if they meet the criteria without going through the USU SLPA certificate program. However, the structure and guidance provided from the USU program facilitates achievement of needed knowledge and skills. It also satisfies the licensure requirements of many state boards of education that SLPA preparation occur as part of an accredited post-secondary educational institution program.
The USU SLPA Certificate is distinctive for the following features:
- Academic coursework in communication sciences and disorders
- Coursework available through campus and online delivery
- Training in professional practices embedded within coursework
- Earned credit for 25 guided observation hours
- Earned credit for 100 hours of supervised clinical experience
- Available for students with a bachelor's degree in any field
- Institutional SLPA certificate on the academic transcript
- Eligibility for application for national ASHA SLPA certification
Utah Speech Language Technicians
In Utah, the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) offers a license area of concentration called a Speech-Language Technician (SLT). Like an SLPA, an SLT works under the supervision of a master-degree SLP, supporting preK-12 students with speech-language impairments and learning difficulties.
USBE SLTs are required to have a bachelor's degree in communicative disorders plus additional training for professional licensure. The USU Bachelor's in Speech and Hearing Science meets the educational requirement. The USU SLPA Certificate is not required to work as a Utah SLT. For more information on USBE SLT requirements, click here, select AEL Application at the top of the page, then select Speech Language Technician (SLT) AEL Checklist.
USU SLPA Certificate Program
A bachelor’s degree is required to earn the USU SLPA certificate. Students can complete the SLPA certificate as part of their 1st or 2nd Bachelor’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences at USU (formerly called Communicative Disorders). Most of the coursework applies to both the SHS major and the certificate. Students can also earn the certificate during or following any other bachelor’s degree (at least 120 credit hours). USU graduates have the option of completing the final two courses required for the certificate, SHS 5120 and SHS 5960, in post-bachelor status. However, students cannot return after graduation to take only SHS 5960 (university post-bachelor certificate rules).
Potential and current students should contact the 1st or 2nd SHS Bachelor Academic Advisor to set up a plan of study that meets USU SLPA Certificate requirements and their own situations.
Required SLPA Coursework
| COURSE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
|---|---|---|
| SHS 2400 | Orientation and Observation | 1 |
| SHS 2600 | Introduction to Communicative Disorders | 3 |
| SHS 3200 | Child Language Development | 3 |
| SHS 3500 | Phonetics and Phonological Development | 3 |
| SHS 3800 | Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing | 3 |
| SHS 4200 | Clinical Methods (includes ethics, universal safety precautions, patient/client/student confidentiality) | 3 |
| SHS 4450 | Developmental Communication Disorders (speech sound and language disorders) | 3 |
| SHS 5120 | Management of Speech Sound Disorders (assessment and treatment of articulation and phonology) | 3 |
| SHS 5960 | Clinical Experience: Speech-Language Pathology Assistant* | 3 |
* Not available to Logan campus students
To earn the certificate, students must meet the following requirements:
- Earn a minimum grade of C in each required SHS course
- Pass the clinical experience course (SHS 5960)
- Earn an overall GPA of 3.0 in the required courses
- Repeat a total of no more than three SHS courses
Students may waive up to six credits of SHS courses based on courses completed at other institutions that are approved as equivalent to USU SHS courses. See the 2nd Bachelor policy under Transfer Credit for allowable course waivers. For the maximum age of coursework that can be applied toward the USU SLP certificate, see Graduation Requirements.
SHS 5960 - SLPA Clinical Experience
In SHS 5960, students gain 100 hours of supervised clinical SLPA experience. Students learn service delivery practices, clinical knowledge and skills, and work-place behaviors expected for an SLPA position. They are also guided on how to apply for national ASHA C-SLPA certification.
To enroll in SHS 5960, students must be admitted to the USU SLPA Certificate program and have completed or be concurrently enrolled in SHS 4200. They may also be concurrently enrolled in one of SHS 4450 or SHS 5120, with all other required SHS coursework completed.
Clinical supervision must be provided by a certified SLP (CCC-SLP). An applicant's skills and clinical experiences will be verified by that SLP supervisor. The 100 hours (80 hours direct and 20 hours of indirect service) of clinical experience must be obtained within the semester of SHS 5960 enrollment.
The supervised clinical experience offered through SHS 5960 can be obtained in two ways: (a) be employed as a non-certified SLPA, or (b) be a non-paid student SLPA intern. Both involve being supervised by the ASHA-certified SLP who is responsible for that work setting and caseload. The unpaid student internship option requires additional/different agreement and execution procedures due to USU liability and FERPA requirements.
The clinical experience typically occurs in a preK-12 educational setting, but can be in a private practice or other appropriate SLPA work place. The setting must offer primarily in-person services. The job title may differ from SLPA (e.g., Speech-Language Technician, Speech Aide, Health Communication Assistant), but the setting and responsibilities allow the student to provide services within the SLPA scope of practice relevant to working in a preK-12 educational setting (see SLPA scope of practice).
Students are responsible for finding their own SLPA employment or internships that meet the clinical experience requirements. The SHS 5960 instructor will approve use of that setting and start the contract process with that setting before enrollment in the course.
The SLP supervisor of the SHS 5960 clinical experience must:
- Hold a current ASHA Clinical Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP)
- Have at least 9 months of full-time clinical experience after being awarded the CCC-SLP
- Have completed 2 credit hours of professional development in clinical instruction and supervision
- Provide 100 hours of supervised clinical experience consisting of 80 hours of direct client/student services and 20 hours of indirect services within the semester of enrollment
- Be willing to sign off on their own professional judgment of satisfactory completion of the student's performance in the clinical experience
- Optional: If ASHA C-SLPA certification is desired by the student, be the signatory on the clinical experience at the ASHA SLPA application site
USU Campus Students
Unfortunately, due to the need to reserve local clinical training settings for the USU SLP graduate training program, 5960 SLPA clinical experiences are not available in Cache Valley. USU campus students may seek 5960 settings elsewhere in Utah or other states to obtain the SLPA certificate for their own reasons (e.g., plans to move to another state, educational enrichment). However, the certificate is not required to be employed as a Utah SLT (see previous information on Utah Speech-Language Technicians). For further information, contact your USU SHS academic advisor.
Kristy Meeks
Academic Advisor/Online First Bachelor Degree
Brynne Davies
Academic Advisor/Online Second Bachelor's Degree