SLPA Certification

Our speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) summer program was initiated in 2011 to help meet the need in Arizona for quality services for children and adults in a variety of supervised settings. This certification program follows ASHA guidelines and State of Arizona requirements. We provide training in professional ethics, scope of practice, and clinical methods and intervention. We also provide opportunities to obtain a portion of the minimum required 100 hours in clinical fieldwork as prescribed by ASHA and the state.

Our Coursework includes the following:

  • SLHS 480: Professional Issues, Ethics and Documentation, 1 unit on-line course reviewing issues and ethics as well as appropriate documentation techniques.
  • SLHS 479: Clinical Methods, a 3 unit course on implementation of clinical methods and intervention approaches for communication disorders (assisting the SLP)
  • Clinical fieldwork, a 6 unit hands-on experience that provides a supervised fieldwork experience assisting with clinical management of persons with communication disorders. Opportunities include interaction with clients while implementing a prescribed treatment plan, and assisting with screenings and evaluations under the direction of a speech-language pathologist. This experience also allows for opportunities for documentation, managing client behavior, setting up/preparing for sessions as needed, and performing clerical duties as needed. Hours obtained will be between 40-100 in the child and adult speech-language clinics at the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences.

Applicants to the program require an overall GPA of 2.8 or higher. Applicants must also enroll in and complete the Speech Sound Disorder course in order to receive their certificate and necessary signed paperwork. This course does not have to be completed prior to the summer courses.

Those interested in applying must supply the following:

  1. SLPA application form
  2. a copy of official transcript
  3. a letter of intent
  4. two letters of recommendation
  5. 25 hours of observation

Please turn in all completed application packets to Stephanie Veatch in Room 214 (our Front Desk) at SLHS. All applications are due April 1st. We will consider late applications with special circumstances.