Why Elms for your Speech-Language Pathology Assistant degree?
- Acquire the knowledge and skills to immediately begin working as an SLPA upon graduation.
- Learn from experienced faculty with clinical backgrounds as speech language pathologists and audiologists.
- Double major in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) to broaden your understanding of how to treat conditions that impair communication.
- Complete an intensive clinical practicum at a local school in collaboration with a certified SLP.
Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
The speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) major program will prepare you academically and clinically to enter the workforce upon graduation. Elms graduates have a 100 percent success rate finding positions as speech-language pathology assistants in school settings, helping children with communication disorders to improve their speech and language skills.
The SLPA major follows ASHA guidelines and consists of a sequential study of normal development and functioning of speech, language, and hearing, and introductory courses concerned with communication disorders along with a more in-depth study of intervention principles and techniques. The program culminates in a clinical fieldwork experience allowing you to work in an education environment under the direction of a speech-language pathologist.
Quick Info
100% job placement
- Faculty are experienced teachers with clinical backgrounds as speech language pathologists and audiologists.
- SLPA majors complete service learning projects in the local community.
- Gain experience treating speech and language disorders through an in-depth clinical practicum in a local school.
Curriculum
Click to view course requirements for the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (B.A.).
Minimum at Elms College: 30 credits/Minimum GPA: 3.0
Core Communication Sciences and Disorders Requirements
| Course # | Formerly | Course Name | # of Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASD 3001 | Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders | 3 | |
| CSD 1001 | Introduction to Communication Sciences & Disorders | 3 | |
| CSD 2000 | Professional Communication in CSD | 3 | |
| CSD 2002 | Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism I | 3 | |
| CSD 2003 | Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism II | 3 | |
| CSD 2004 | Phonetics and Phonology | 3 | |
| CSD 3005 | Speech and Language Acquisition | 3 | |
| CSD 3007 | Observational Methods and Techniques | 4 | |
| CSD 4003 | Speech and Language Disorders: Pediatric Population | 3 | |
| CSD 4004 | Speech and Language Disorders: Adult Population | 3 | |
| CSD 4005 | Aural Rehabilitation | 3 | |
| CSD 4100 | Seminar in CSD | 3 |
Clinical Practica (8 credits)
| Course # | Formerly | Course Name | # of Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSD 4008 | Clinical Practicum in Schools I | 3 | |
| CSD 4008L | Clinical Practicum in Schools I Lab | 1 | |
| CSD 4105 | Clinical Practicum in Schools II | 3 | |
| CSD 4105L | Clinical Practicum in Schools II Lab | 1 |
Additional Course Requirements (21 credits)
| Course # | Formerly | Course Name | # of Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIS 1005 (formerly HIS 105) Early American History or HIS 1006 (formerly HIS 106) Modern American History | 3 | ||
| HUM 1001 | Rhetoric | 3 | |
| MAT 1008 (formerly MAT 108) College Math, MAT 1009 (formerly MAT 109) Elementary Statistics, MAT 1200 formerly (MAT 120) Pre-Calculus, or MAT 1301 (MAT 131) Differential Calculus | 3 | ||
| PHI 2402 (formerly PHI 242) Everyday Ethics or PHI 2408 (formerly PHI 248) Health Care Ethics | 3 | ||
| PSY 1001 | General Psychology | 3 | |
| REL 2104 (formerly REL 214) World Religions: Eastern Traditions, REL 2105 (formerly REL 215) World Religions: Western Traditions, or REL 3002 (REL 302) Spirituality World Religions | 3 |