go.chemeketa.edu/speechpathology

Program courses are delivered entirely online with practicum arranged locally for students.

The Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) program is a certificate program of both theory and practical experience designed to prepare students to become certified speech-language pathology assistants. An SLPA is a certified support person who works under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist. The SLPA performs specific therapy-related tasks that are prescribed and directed by their supervising speech-language pathologist. The SLPA works closely with others in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and in private practice settings. As a member of a speech-language therapy team, the SLPA helps children and adults with communication disorders improve their ability to speak, listen, and interact with others. SLPAs are responsible for following the directed treatment plan of the supervising SLP while working independently to deliver therapy services to children and adults, taking and tracking data, and various other roles and responsibilities within their scope of practice. The SLPA program heavily assesses communication skills in the areas of speaking. Students applying to the SLPA program will be required to communicate clearly in English with strong articulation skills, use writing skills to take data, communicate clearly in chart notes, and use written discourse in taking descriptive therapy data and dialogue. 

Interested students are encouraged to contact their state licensing board for speech-language pathology to ensure that this program will meet their state licensing requirements. Chemeketa’s SLPA program website has more information on licensing for various states. Oregon residents may contact the Oregon State Board of Examiners for Speech Pathology and Audiology at 971.673.0220 or through their website at oregon.gov/bspa/Pages/index.aspx to review the educational and practicum requirements necessary to be certified as a speech-language pathology assistant. Students from other states are encouraged to contact their respective Board of Examiners for Speech Pathology and Audiology to explore licensing requirements in the state for SLPAs. Please contact the department with any questions regarding your state requirements. The program faculty may be aware of agreements in place for specific state boards. Students have attended the Chemeketa SLPA program from a variety of states in the United States.

Program Outcomes

Students completing this certificate program should be able to satisfy the following outcomes:

1. Conduct individual and small group speech and language therapy services as directed by supervising speech-language pathologist.
2. Accurately record and organize data taken from the therapy sessions and communicate findings to supervising speech-language pathologist.

Getting Started

This SLPA program is a limited-enrollment program with special admission requirements. An SLPA application packet is required to apply for admission to this program. This is a separate step in addition to the placement testing and advising that may be required through Advising and First Year Programs. Applications are available on the program website. Application deadline is June 1 for Fall term entry. Once admitted, students are required to follow the prescribed outline of the courses throughout the program. For those students who are taking only the SLPA program courses, a course load of nine credits is typical and considered part-time. The program usually takes five terms to complete attending part-time. Students are typically organized as a cohort beginning Fall term after being admitted to the program. Coursework for the program is divided over 5 terms; Fall 1, Winter 1, Spring 1, Fall 2 (practicum + coursework), Winter 2 (practicum + coursework). Students enrolled in the SLPA program are required to complete two terms of practicum coursework and 100 clinical interaction hours under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist. SLPA students must work with program staff to identify a suitable practicum supervisor and site. SLPA program students are required to submit and pass a criminal background check at their own expense in order to be admitted to the program. Practicum sites may require students to complete fingerprinting and additional site requested processes at their own expense. The first step to entering the SLPA program is to obtain the current SLPA program application from the SLPA program website. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with the designated advisor for the SLPA program within Chemeketa Advising and First Year Programs to formulate an individualized program of study. 

You may earn a certificate of completion by successfully completing these required 57 credit hours with a grade of “C” or better in all courses.