Speech Language Pathology Assistant

This award is not eligible for Financial Aid

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Speech Language Pathology Assistant is designed to provide comprehensive academic and practical education and training for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants. The program provides curriculum and clinical experience in working with individuals with communication disorders across the lifespan. The program content is aligned with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) guidelines and the Arizona State License Statute for Speech Language Pathology Assistants. In addition to work in the classroom, the program provides students with the opportunity to gain practical experience in working with clients under the direction and supervision of an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist. An Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Speech Language Pathology Assistant is also available.

This program is designed to meet education requirements for licensure or certification in the State of Arizona. Granting licensure and certification is the sole responsibility of the state board or approval agency. This program is only offered and available to students located in the State of Arizona. The Maricopa County Community College District and colleges define student location within Administrative Regulation 2.2.3(7).

Details

Field of Interest
Health Sciences
Degree Type
Certificate of Completion (CCL)
Academic Plan
Speech Language Pathology Assistant (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5994N
Total credits required
32
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2021
Admission criteria

Formal application and admission to the program is required. All program prerequisites and admission criteria must be completed prior to submission of application. See Estrella Mountain Community College website for application instructions, materials, and deadlines.

Admission to the Speech Language Pathology Assistant Certificate of Completion program requires a current and valid Level One Identify Verified Fingerprint (IVP) Clearance Card. Applicants must present a copy of the front and back of the Level One IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card with their application. For a Fingerprint Clearance Card application, contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Applicants must also provide a copy of any official transcripts documenting a conferred Associate Degree, or higher, and a certificate of attendance at a Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) Orientation.

Notes

This program is not eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid.
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

License/Certification Requirements:
Students must meet all applicable state and/or national license and/or certification requirements to practice as a Speech Language Pathology Assistant. Please visit state and national governing bodies for specific licensing/certification requirements.

Waiver of License/Certification Guarantee:
Formal admission or graduation from the Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) Program does not guarantee obtaining a license to practice as an SLPA. License requirements and the subsequent procedures are the exclusive right and responsibility of the state and/or national licensing/certifying bodies. Students must satisfy the requirements of the SLPA Practice Act: Statutes, Rules and Regulations, independently of any college or school requirements for graduation.

What You'll Learn
  • Abide by state and national scope of practice.
  • Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior in accordance with state and national standards.
  • Administer informal screenings and therapy probes to gather data to support a treatment plan.
  • Draw conclusions from multiple sources of information to inform the implementation of a treatment plan.
  • Execute therapeutic and evidenced-based practices using an understanding of speech, language, voice and fluency disorders under the direction of a licensed speech-language pathologist.
  • Identify appropriate technology solutions to meet client needs.
  • Document progress toward goals in an established treatment plan.
  • Communicate in a culturally responsive manner, demonstrating empathetic and active listening skills.
  • Communicate complex information clearly with a purpose appropriate to the context and audience in written and oral forms.
  • Produce documentation of services in compliance with regulation and reimbursement requirements.
  • Demonstrate the ability to learn from and adapt to changing contexts.
  • Select relevant continued professional and personal growth opportunities within the field.

Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Speech-Language Pathology Assistants

$41,030

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
SLP205 Introduction to Communication Disorders Critical course Gateway course 3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
SLP104 Speech, Language, And Hearing Development Critical course 3
SLP210 Speech And Hearing Anatomy And Physiology Critical course 3
SLP217 Clinical Ethics and Documentation Critical course 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
SLP212 Language Disorders and Rehabilitation 3
SLP214 Speech Sound Disorders and Phonetics 3
SLP215 Speech, Language, Hearing Disorders and Rehabilitation 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
SLP218 Behavior Management 3
SLP235AA or
SLP235AB		 Speech-Language Pathology Practicum or Speech-Language Pathology Practicum SLP235AA may be repeated for a total of two (2) credit hours. 2
SLP240 Assistive Technology and Augmentative Communication 3
SLP242 Low Incidence Disabilities 3
Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

This certificate is not eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm?id=157796).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.