Speech-Language Pathology Assistant, AAS Degree
One in six Americans has a speech, hearing or language disorder. These disorders affect infants, children, adults and the elderly. A communication disorder may affect a person’s ability to pronounce sounds intelligibly, to understand what is being said, to process and remember spoken information, to use appropriate vocabulary and grammar, to speak fluently without stuttering, or to use his or her voice appropriately. Accidents, illnesses, birth defects and substance abuse can all contribute to communication disorders. These disorders isolate people from their friends, family and the community and limit job and educational opportunities. Speech-Language Pathology Assistants help these individuals to recover their ability to speak, understand and interact with others.
This online program is offered for either a two-year or three-year plan, depending upon the student’s needs.
Graduates of the SLPA program will serve as support personnel to perform tasks prescribed, directed and supervised by certified speech-language pathologists.
Requirements for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs) vary from state-to-state. Mitchell Tech will attempt to determine whether our coursework will meet your state’s requirements, but this is not possible in all cases. Please contact the program director to discuss your state’s requirements. Mitchell Tech strongly encourages prospective students to verify that Mitchell Tech’s coursework will meet their state’s requirements. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website has information regarding state requirements on their website at http://www.asha.org/advocacy/state/info/.
Admission Requirements: All students accepted to the program must complete a criminal background check at the student’s expense. Details are available from the Admissions office. Students are required to have good reading, writing, hearing and communication (verbal, written and articulation) skills in order to competently perform the job of a speech-language pathology assistant and to gain successful employment. Students must possess the motor skills necessary to manage clients and manipulate therapy materials in home and school environments. Applicants must have minimum scores on the English and Reading portions of the ACT or AccuPlacer.
Additional requirements may have to be met before entrance to fieldwork sites. Contact the instructor for details.
Note: Students in this program are required use an iPad. The student must purchase the iPad at his/her own expense. Specific software apps will also be required. Information about required apps will be provided as part of each course syllabus.
Program Graduation Requirement: It is the goal of this program to prepare competent entry-level speech-language pathology assistants. To achieve that goal, students must earn a grade of C (2.0) or higher in all technical courses as a prerequisite to SLPA 240 Clinical Fieldwork. Students must earn a grade of C (2.0) or higher in their clinical fieldwork in order to graduate.
Award: AAS Degree
First Semester (Fall)
Second Semester (Spring)
Third Semester (Summer)
| SPCM 101 | Fundamentals of Speech | 3 |
| Social Science Elective | 3 |
| Behavioral Science Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Fourth Semester (Fall)
| SLPA 200 | Intro to Audiology & Aural Rehab | 2 |
| SLPA 202 | Clinical Observation II | 2 |
| SLPA 205 | Neurogenic Communication Disorders | 2 |
| SLPA 220 | Speech Disorders & Intervention | 3 |
| SLPA 230 | Language Disorders & Intervention | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Fifth Semester (Spring)
| SLPA 210 | Augmentative and Alternative Communication | 2 |
| SLPA 211 | Screening and Assessment Processes | 2 |
| SLPA 235 | Clinical Mgt & Procedures | 4 |
| SLPA 240 | Clinical Fieldwork | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Total Credits Required to Graduate: 65