Speech Language Pathology Assistant

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) 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. A Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Speech Language Pathology Assistant is also available.

Details

Field of Interest
Health Sciences
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Speech Language Pathology Assistant (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3776
Total credits required
61-71
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Admissions 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 Associate in Applied Science 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 and a certificate of attendance at a Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) Orientation.

Notes

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

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Abide by state and national scope of practice.
  2. Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior in accordance with state and national standards.
  3. Administer informal screenings and therapy probes to gather data to support a treatment plan.
  4. Draw conclusions from multiple sources of information to inform the implementation of a treatment plan.
  5. 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.
  6. Identify appropriate technology solutions to meet client needs.
  7. Document progress toward goals in an established treatment plan.
  8. Communicate in a culturally responsive manner, demonstrating empathetic and active listening skills.
  9. Communicate complex information clearly with a purpose appropriate to the context and audience in written and oral forms.
  10. Produce documentation of services in compliance with regulation and reimbursement requirements.
  11. Demonstrate the ability to learn from and adapt to changing contexts.
  12. Select relevant continued professional and personal growth opportunities within the field.
  13. Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based annual median wages* for this program. 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.

Healthcare Support Workers, All Other

$40,450

* Wage information sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Program. Updated May 2022.

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 Pathway Planner 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.
  • Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SLP205 Introduction to Communication Disorders Critical course Gateway course 3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
BIO160 or
BIO201 or
PHY101 or
PHY111		 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology or Human Anatomy and Physiology I or Introduction to Physics or General Physics I SQ or SG or SQ or SQ 4
COM110 Interpersonal Communication Critical course SB 3
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology SB 3
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area 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
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking L 3
MA Mathematics MA 3–6

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SLP212 Language Disorders and Rehabilitation 3
SLP214 Speech Sound Disorders and Phonetics 3
SLP215 Speech, Language, Hearing Disorders and Rehabilitation 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design HU 3
RE Restricted Elective 3–4

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SLP218 Behavior Management 3
SLP240 Assistive Technology and Augmentative Communication 3
SLP242 Low Incidence Disabilities 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
RE Restricted Elective 3–4

Program Electives

Restricted Electives

Students are required to select two courses from the list below:

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
COM263 Elements of Intercultural Communication C, G, SB 3
ENG213 Introduction to the Study of Language HU, SB 3
HES210 Cultural Aspects of Health and Illness C, G 3
IFS215 Cultural Context of Health Information C 3
PSY230 Introduction to Statistics CS 3
PSY240 Developmental Psychology SB 3
SOC101 Introduction to Sociology SB 3
EDU/ENH291 Children's Literature HU 3
AHU+++ Any AHU Arabic Humanities course(s)
ARB+++ Any ARB Arabic course(s)
ASL+++ Any ASL American Sign Language course(s)
CHI+++ Any CHI Chinese course(s)
FLA+++ Any FLA Foreign Language Acquisition course(s)
FRE+++ Any FRE French course(s)
GER+++ Any GER German course(s)
GRK+++ Any GRK Greek course(s)
HBR+++ Any HBR Hebrew course(s)
HEB+++ Any HEB Hebrew course(s)
IPP+++ Any IPP Interpreter Preparation Program course(s)
ITA+++ Any ITA Italian course(s)
ITH+++ Any ITH Italian Humanities course(s)
JPN+++ Any JPN Japanese course(s)
LAT+++ Any LAT Latin course(s)
NAV+++ Any NAV Navajo course(s)
NVH+++ Any NVH Navajo Humanities course(s)
PIM+++ Any PIM Pima course(s)
POR+++ Any POR Portuguese course(s)
RUS+++ Any RUS Russian course(s)
SLC+++ Any SLC Studies in Language and Culture course(s)
SPA+++ Any SPA Spanish course(s)
SPH+++ Any SPH Spanish Humanities course(s)
TRS+++ Any TRS Translation and Interpretation course(s)
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.

  • C = Cultural Diversity in the US
  • CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
  • FYC = First Year Composition
  • G = Global Awareness
  • HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
  • L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
  • MA = Mathematics
  • SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
  • SG = Natural Sciences General
  • SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
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.

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/freeForm3?id=182650).

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.