Speech-Language Pathology Assistant, Associate in Science
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant, Associate in Science
The Associate in Science in Speech-Language Pathology Assistant prepares students for employment as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA). A 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 may include educational, natural/in-home, clinical, and medical settings.
Upon successful completion of this degree, students 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.
Students will complete general education courses, specialized courses in speech language pathology, and a minimum of 110 hours of supervised clinical experience.
| Course ID | Title | Units/Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | ||
| ANPH V01 | Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology | 4-5 |
| or ANAT V01 | Human Anatomy | |
| ASL V01 | Elementary American Sign Language I | 4 |
| CDEV C1000 | Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| CD V04 | Observation and Assessment | 2.5 |
| CD V04L | Observation and Assessment Laboratory | .5 |
| CD V05 | Teaching in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| CD V10 | Introduction to Children with Special Needs | 3 |
| CD V71 | Introduction to Communication Disorders | 3 |
| CD V73 | Speech and Language Development in Children | 3 |
| CD V75 | Introduction to Phonetics | 3 |
| CD V77 | Childhood Disorders and Treatment | 3 |
| CD V78 | Adult Communication Disorders and Treatment | 2 |
| CD V79 | Introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication | 2 |
| CD V80L | Clinical Experience | 2 |
| COMM C1004 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| ENGL C1000 | Academic Reading and Writing | 4 |
| Required Core Units | 46 | |
| Required Additional Courses | ||
List A: Select one course from the following: | ||
| CD V20 | Curriculum and Strategies for Children with Special Needs | 3 |
| CD V22 | Behavior Management in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| PSY V03 | Introduction to Biological Psychology | 3 |
| PSY V30 | Multicultural Psychology | 3 |
| SOC V05 | Sociology of Relationships: Intimacy, Commitment, and Family Patterns | 3 |
| SOC V31 | Introduction to Social Psychology | 3 |
List B: Select one course from the following: | ||
| MATH V03 | Intermediate Algebra | 5 |
| MATH V04 | College Algebra | 4 |
| MATH V15 | College Algebra for Liberal Arts | 3 |
| MATH V20 | Precalculus Mathematics | 5 |
| MATH C2210 | Calculus I: Early Transcendentals | 5 |
| MATH C2220 | Calculus II: Early Transcendentals | 5 |
| MATH V21C | Multivariable Calculus | 5 |
| MATH V22 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MATH V23 | Introduction to Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH V38 | Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers | 3 |
| MATH V46 | Business Calculus | 3 |
| STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 |
| PSY V04 | Introductory Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences | 4 |
List C: Select 2 courses from the following: | ||
| CHST V01 | Introduction to Chicano Studies | 3 |
| CHST V02 | Chicana/o/x and Latina/o/x Studies Issues | 3 |
| CHST V03 | La Chicana | 3 |
| ETHS V01 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| ETHS V02 | History of Racism in the United States | 3 |
| ETHS V04 | Introduction to American Indian Studies | 3 |
| ETHS V14 | Introduction to Black Studies | 3 |
| Required Additional Units | 12-14 | |
| --------------------- | ||
| Total Major Units | 58-60 | |
| --------------------- | ||
| VCCCD General Education Pattern | ||
| Required Major Units | 57-60 | |
| VCCCD General Education Units | 24 | |
| Double-Counted Units | (18-21) | |
| Elective Units | 0 | |
| Total Units for the A.S. Degree | 60-66 | |
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Units/Hours | |
| ANPH V01 or ANAT V01 | Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology or Human Anatomy | 4-5 |
| CDEV C1000 | Child Growth and Development (GE Area 4 - Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 3 |
| CD V71 | Introduction to Communication Disorders | 3 |
| ENGL C1000 | Academic Reading and Writing (GE Area 1A - English Composition) | 4 |
| Units/Hours | 14-15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CD V04 | Observation and Assessment | 2.5 |
| CD V04L | Observation and Assessment Laboratory | .5 |
| CD V10 | Introduction to Children with Special Needs | 3 |
| CD V73 | Speech and Language Development in Children | 3 |
| COMM C1004 | Interpersonal Communication (GE Area 1B - Oral Communication and Critical Thinking) | 3 |
| Select one course from List B | 3-5 | |
| Units/Hours | 15-17 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ASL V01 | Elementary American Sign Language I | 4 |
| CD V05 | Teaching in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| CD V75 | Introduction to Phonetics (corequistes and prerequisites apply) | 3 |
| CD V77 | Childhood Disorders and Treatment (corequistes and prerequisites apply) | 3 |
| Select one course from List A | 3 | |
| Units/Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CD V78 | Adult Communication Disorders and Treatment (co-requistes and pre-requisites apply) | 2 |
| CD V79 | Introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (co-requistes and pre-requisites apply) | 2 |
| CD V80L | Clinical Experience (co-requistes and pre-requisites apply) | 2 |
| Select one course from List C | 3 | |
| Select one course from List C | 3 | |
| Select minimum 3 unit course from VC Local GE Area 7 | 3 | |
| Units/Hours | 15 | |
| Total Units/Hours | 60-63 | |
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Recognize and explain the laws and regulations pertaining to state registration as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant.
- Demonstrate skills to provide direct treatment assistance to diverse clients/patients in multiple settings, under the supervision of a Speech-Language Pathologist, by implementing treatment plans, conducting screenings without interpretation, assisting with assessment, and documenting client/patient progress.
- 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 prevention and advocacy efforts.