Jaime Purnot ’19
Jaime Purnot ’19 is one step closer to becoming a speech language pathologist after completing her bachelor’s degree online through Elms.
Speech Language Pathology Assistant
The Elms Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) degrees and certificate are school focused, preparing you to assist speech-language pathologists with improving children’s ability to learn, read, write, and communicate with others in the classroom.
Our program’s online delivery method is designed to prepare you for the job market wherever you live. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in speech-language professions is expected to grow 19 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average of all occupations.
The 22-month online SLPA programs include plans of study for earning an associate’s degree, second bachelor’s degree, or certificate, or completing a bachelor’s degree. Individuals must have an associate’s degree in order to apply to the SLPA bachelor’s degree completion program.
(Required credentials/qualifications for employment exist for states in the Northeast and other parts of the country. Please determine the requirements of the state(s) in which you plan to seek employment before beginning this program.)
Please apply with the required official high school or GED transcript (for certificate) or an associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree.
All classes are held online and taught by Elms faculty. By completing your coursework in a 22-month period, you can save thousands of dollars by completing your degree in this uniquely affordable program.
Program Highlights
- Experienced faculty with clinical backgrounds
- Clinical practicum
- Fully online (except clinical practicum and observation which are in person)
Requirements for SLPA vary by state. Prior to enrolling in this program, students must contact the state in which they plan to work to determine its specific SLPA requirements.
Curriculum
Click to view course requirements for the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant online B.A.
Bachelor of Arts Degree Completion
Program Prerequisites
Community college graduates who have earned an associate degree or 60 credits from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.67 or better are eligible to apply to the bachelor’s degree completion program. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better in CSD courses while in the program in order to retain major status and in order to graduate with a BA in SLPA. Should a student earn a grade below C in a CSD course, that course cannot be applied toward major credit, and the course must be retaken. The 22-month bachelor’s degree program is 120 credits. You can transfer in a maximum of 78 credits. A minimum of 42 credits must be earned through Elms College. All Elms College core and program requirements must be met. Click here for an overview of when these courses are offered.
Prerequisite Courses
| Course Name | # of Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| History 100 level | 3 |
| Biological Sciences | 3-4 |
| Social/Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| Fine and Performing Arts | 3 |
| English | 3 |
| Literature | 3 |
Course Requirements (42 credits)
| Course # | Formerly | Course Name | # of Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSD 2001 | CSD 201 | Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 2002 | CSD 202 | Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism I | 3 |
| SWK 2004 | SWK 204 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment | 3 |
| CSD 2004 | CSD 204 | Phonetics and Phonology | 3 |
| CSD 2003 | CSD 203 | Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism II | 3 |
| CSD 3005 | CSD 305 | Normal Language Development | 3 |
| ASD 3001 | ASD 301 | Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 3007A | CSD 307A | Observation Methods and Techniques | 2 |
| CSD 3007B | CSD 307A | Observation Methods and Techniques | 2 |
| MAT 1008 | MAT 108 | College Math | 3 |
| PHI 2408 | PHI 248 | Healthcare Ethics | 3 |
| REL 2105 | REL 215 | World Religions | 3 |
| CSD 4003 | CSD 403 | Bases of Intervention | 3 |
| CSD 4008A | CSD 408A | Clinical Practicum | 2 |
| CSD 4008L | CSD 408L | Clinical Practicum | 1 |
| CSD 4008B | CSD 408B | Clinical Practicum | 2 |
| CSD 4008L | CSD 408L | Clinical Practicum | 1 |
| CSD 4102 | CSD 412 | Rehabilitation of Articulation Disorders in Children and Adults | 3 |
| CSD 4105A | CSD 415A | Clinical Practicum | 2 |
| CSD 4105L | CSD 415L | Clinical Practicum | 1 |
| CSD 4103 | CSD 413 | Rehabilitation of Language Disorders in Children and Adults | 3 |
| CSD 4100 | CSD 410 | Seminar in Communication Sciences Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 4105B | CSD 415B | Clinical Practicum | 2 |
| CSD 4105L | CSD 415L | Clinical Practicum | 1 |
Click to view course requirements for the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant online second B.A.
Second Bachelor of Arts Degree
College graduates who have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.67 or better are eligible to apply to the second bachelor’s degree program. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better in CSD courses while in the program in order to retain major status and graduate with a BA in SLPA. Should a student earn a grade below C in a CSD course, that course cannot be applied toward major credit, and the course must be retaken. The 22-month second bachelor’s degree program is 49 credits. A minimum of 42 credits must be earned through Elms College. All Elms College core and program requirements must be met. Click here for an overview of when these courses are offered.
Course Requirements (49 credits)
| Course # | Formerly | Course Name | # of Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSD 2001 | CSD 201 | Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 2002 | CSD 202 | Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism I | 3 |
| CSD 2004 | CSD 204 | Phonetics and Phonology | 3 |
| CSD 2003 | CSD 203 | Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism II | 3 |
| CSD 3005 | CSD 305 | Normal Language Development | 3 |
| ASD 3001 | ASD 301 | Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 3007A | CSD 307A | Observation Methods and Techniques | 2 |
| CSD 3007B | CSD 307B | Observation Methods and Techniques | 2 |
| REL 2105 | REL 215 | World Religions | 3 |
| CSD 4003 | CSD 403 | Bases of Intervention | 3 |
| CSD 4008A | CSD 408A | Clinical Practicum | 2 |
| CSD 4008L | CSD 408L | Clinical Practicum | 1 |
| CSD 4008B | CSD 408B | Clinical Practicum | 2 |
| CSD 4008L | CSD 408L | Clinical Practicum | 1 |
| CSD 4102 | CSD 412 | Rehabilitation of Articulation Disorders in Children and Adults | 3 |
| CSD 4105A | CSD 415A | Clinical Practicum | 2 |
| CSD 4105L | CSD 415L | Clinical Practicum | 1 |
| CSD 4103 | CSD 413 | Rehabilitation of Language Disorders in Children and Adults | 3 |
| CSD 4100 | CSD 410 | Seminar in Communication Sciences Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 4105B | CSD 415B | Clinical Practicum | 2 |
| CSD 4105L | CSD 415L | Clinical Practicum | 1 |
Click to view course requirements for the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant online A.A.
Associate of Arts Degree
Course must be from an accredited college and/or university with a minimum GPA of 2.67 or better. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better in CSD courses while in the program in order to retain major status and in order to graduate with an AA in SLPA. If a student earns a grade below a C in a CSD course, those credits are not applied to the major; and, the course must be retaken. The 22-month associate of the arts program requires 64 credits. All Elms College core and program requirements must be met. Click here for an overview of when these courses are offered.
Course Requirements (64 credits)
| Course # | Formerly | Course Name | # of Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSD 2001 | CSD 201 | Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 2002 | CSD 202 | Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism I | 3 |
| SWK 2004 | SWK 204 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment | 3 |
| CSD 2004 | CSD 204 | Phonetics and Phonology | 3 |
| CSD 2003 | CSD 203 | Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism II | 3 |
| CSD 3005 | CSD 305 | Normal Language Development | 3 |
| ASD 3001 | ASD 301 | Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 3007A | CSD 307A | Observation Methods and Techniques | 2 |
| CSD 3007B | CSD 307B | Observation Methods and Techniques | 2 |
| MAT 1008 | MAT 108 | College Math | 3 |
| PHI 2408 | PHI 248 | Healthcare Ethics | 3 |
| REL 2105 | REL 215 | World Religions | 3 |
| CSD 4003 | CSD 403 | Bases of Intervention | 3 |
| CSD 4008A | CSD 408A | Clinical Practicum | 2 |
| CSD 4008L | CSD 408L | Clinical Practicum | 1 |
| CSD 4008B | CSD 408B | Clinical Practicum | 2 |
| CSD 4008L | CSD 408L | Clinical Practicum | 1 |
| CSD 4102 | CSD 412 | Rehabilitation of Articulation Disorders in Children and Adults | 3 |
| CSD 4105A | CSD 415A | Clinical Practicum | 2 |
| CSD 4105L | CSD 415L | Clinical Practicum | 1 |
| CSD 4103 | CSD 413 | Rehabilitation of Language Disorders in Children and Adults | 3 |
| ENG 1001 | ENG 101 | Rhetoric | 3 |
| CSD 4105B | CSD 415B | Clinical Practicum | 2 |
| CSD 4105L | CSD 415L | Clinical Practicum | 1 |
| HIS 1005 (formerly HIS 105) Early American History or HIS 1006 (formerly HIS 106) Modern American History | 3 | ||
| PSY 1001 | PSY 101 | General Psychology | 3 |
Click to view course requirements for the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant online certificate.
Certificate Program
37-credit Certificate Program in Speech Language Pathology Assistant Students can attain the online 37-credit SLPA certificate in three ways:
- Stand-alone certificate
- Post-associate’s certificate
- Post-baccalaureate certificate To apply, students must have a GPA of 2.67 or better. They must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 or better while enrolled in the program. The 37-credit certificate can be rolled into the SLPA bachelor of arts degree completion program for those who already hold an associate’s degree.
Click here for an overview of when these courses are offered.
Course Requirements (37 credits)
| Course # | Formerly | Course Name | # of Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSD 2001 | CSD 201 | Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 2002 | CSD 202 | Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism I | 3 |
| CSD 2004 | CSD 204 | Phonetics and Phonology | 3 |
| CSD 2003 | CSD 203 | Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism II | 3 |
| CSD 3005 | CSD 305 | Normal Language Development | 3 |
| CSD 3007A | CSD 307A | Observation Methods and Techniques | 2 |
| CSD 3007B | CSD 307B | Observation Methods and Techniques | 2 |
| CSD 4008A | CSD 408A | Clinical Practicum | 2 |
| CSD 4008L | CSD 408L | Clinical Practicum | 1 |
| CSD 4008B | CSD 408B | Clinical Practicum | 2 |
| CSD 4008L | CSD 408L | Clinical Practicum | 1 |
| CSD 4102 | CSD 412 | Rehabilitation of Articulation Disorders in Children and Adults | 3 |
| CSD 4105A | CSD 415A | Clinical Practicum | 2 |
| CSD 4105L | CSD 415L | Clinical Practicum | 1 |
| CSD 4103 | CSD 413 | Rehabilitation of Language Disorders in Children and Adults | 3 |
| CSD 4105B | CSD 415B | Clinical Practicum | 2 |
| CSD 4105L | CSD 415L | Clinical Practicum | 1 |
Course offerings are updated on a rolling basis and can be discussed with your faculty advisor.