Academic Catalog

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (A.S.)

Department website: https://www.cerritos.edu/slpa/

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE

A licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) is a skilled technical worker who performs speech and language therapy and clinical tasks under the direction of a Speech-Language Pathologist. Successful completion of the degree requirements leads to eligibility for state licensure as a SLPA from the California Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers’ Board. Licensed SLPAs have the opportunity to apply for work settings such as: in-home health; public, non-public, and charter schools; and, medical settings such as rehabilitation centers and private clinics.

Technical Standards/Essential Functions

Technical Standards/Essential Functions have been prepared to assist you in understanding the technical standards of the Speech Language Pathology Assistant program in order to affiliate in the clinical agencies and ultimately practice the profession. The technical standards as stated herewith are not conditions of admission to a program of study. Rather, they reflect performance abilities that are necessary for a student to successfully complete the requirements of the specified Health Occupations program.

The complete scope of practice for this occupation can be found in the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant handbook on the program’s website at https://www.cerritos.edu/slpa. This information will be helpful to assist you in deciding on your career path. The delivery of safe, effective speech and language intervention requires that students be able to perform functions related to the technical standards outlined here. The inability of a student to perform these functions may result in the student being unable to meet course objectives and to progress in the Speech Language Pathology Assistant program. Additionally, if a student is unable to perform these required competencies, the student may pose a risk of harm to the client(s) for whom care is provided.

All applicants meeting the appropriate academic requirements shall be considered equally for admission to Cerritos College or any academic program regardless of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, beliefs, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or physical or mental disability.

Program Mission

The mission of the Cerritos College Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Program is to prepare future Speech-Language Pathology Assistants to meet the needs of diverse populations in a variety of therapeutic environments. The Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Program was developed to align with the educational philosophy, mission, and values of Cerritos College. Specific goals, competencies, and student learning outcomes can be found in the program handbook on the website at: https://www.cerritos.edu/slpa.

Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispenser’s Board of California:

2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 2100
Sacramento, California, 95815
Telephone: (916)263-2666
Website: https://www.speechandhearing.ca.gov/

Length and Kind of Program

Once admitted, the program is two semesters in length. Speech-Language Pathology Assistant classes and any required general education units are scheduled on the college campus. Clinical experiences are completed in both semesters and students will need to have availability during regular business hours to complete required clinical training opportunities. Fieldwork experience may take place on-campus or at selected schools and clinics in the Los Angeles and Orange county areas. 

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Program Requirements

  1. Admission Requirements
    1. Academic Prerequisites
      1. All prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to submitting an application. Transcripts documenting completed coursework should be submitted with the application packet.
      2. Students must have completed coursework that satisfies the Reading, Writing, and Math proficiencies for the Associate of Science degree-Plan A prior to submitting their application.
      3. Students must have completed the following courses or equivalent with a grade of “C” or higher (minimum 2.0 GPA) prior to submitting their application
        1. General Education-Natural Science Requirement: A&P 120 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology or A&P 150 Introduction to Human Anatomy
        2. General Education-Humanities Requirement: ASL 110 American Sign Language I
        3. CD 110 Child Development
        4. CDSE 150 Introduction to Children with Special Needs or CDSE 152 Curriculum and Strategies for Children with Special Needs
        5. CD 139 Observation, Assessment, and Positive Guidance of Childhood Behavior
        6. SLP 100 Introduction to Speech and Language Pathology
        7. SLP 101 Introduction to Communication Disorders
        8. SLP 105 Speech and Language Development
      4.  Course acceptance and equivalency is based on a transcript review by a Health Occupations counselor.  Speech-language pathology (SLP) prerequisite courses may not be taken more than 8 years prior to application. American Sign Language, anatomy, child development, and general education coursework may be older than 8 years. 
      5. Prior to submission of their application, students must have obtained:
        • A minimum of a 2.0 cumulative GPA for all college coursework,
        • A minimum of a grade of “C” or higher (minimum 2.0 GPA) in each prerequisite course, and
        • A minimum overall 2.5 GPA for all prerequisite courses
      6. Graduates with foreign or Bachelor's degrees in Speech-Language Pathology, Communication Sciences, or Communication Disorders will not be given priority. Recency of SLP coursework still applies. All foreign bachelor degrees must be verified by a Cerritos College approved agency at the student’s expense.
    2. Download the application from the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant webpage at www.cerritos.edu/slpa. Follow the instructions on the application for submission of the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (A.S) 

      Notes: Official transcripts sent to the Admissions and Records office will not be forwarded to the Health Occupations office for inclusion in the application file. The application and all supporting documents must be emailed to the email address provided on the SLPA application by the deadline indicated on the application and on the SLPA website. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be considered. 
  2. Selection Procedures
    1. All required documents, including the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Program application, and all official college transcripts must be submitted in the format outlined in the application to the email address identified on the application by the deadline.
    2. Applications will be reviewed for:
      1. Completion of prerequisite coursework
      2. Minimum of 2.0 cumulative GPA for all college coursework, minimum of a grade of “C” or higher (minimum 2.0 GPA)  in each prerequisite course, and a minimum overall 2.5 GPA for all prerequisite courses
      3. Submission of required documents (i.e., transcripts, completed application forms)
    3. Application packets will be reviewed after the application deadline. Notification of acceptance or non-acceptance will be sent by U.S. mail no later than by the end of the spring semester.
  3. Prior to Enrollment
    1. Upon acceptance and before enrollment, students must complete the following at their own expense:
      1. CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) for Healthcare Providers —you must present a valid CPR card offered through the American Heart Association orAmerican Red Cross prior to the beginning of the program. Card must be valid for the duration of the program
      2. Health Clearance—students must show evidence of immunizations, physical exams, and tuberculosis (TB) testing prior to enrollment in the program. Health and immunization forms will be issued to those applicants who are accepted into the program. Health forms must be reviewed and completed by the student’s physician, which include technical standards/ essential functions for Speech-Language Pathology Assisting (available on the program website)
      3. Criminal Background check—clinical placements are a requirement of the curriculum and will require clearance of a criminal background check. Students admitted to the program will be given instructions for completing the background check. Students who do not clear agency requirements are not eligible for clinical placement, and will consequently, be ineligible to continue in the program. If there is any concern regarding clearance of a background check, please contact the Health Occupations Division for more information. Students may have to complete multiple background and fingerprinting checks for placement clearance.
      4. Completion of Bloodborne Pathogens and Health Insurance, Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training
      5. Current resume
      6. Student intake form
      7. Completed signature page from SLPA handbook

Additional requirements or modifications to this list may occur. Students will also be required to submit official copies of transcripts to Admissions and Records for any courses they are redundant.

Expenses

Enrollment fees, CPR training, physical exam/immunizations, background checks, books, and supplies will cost approximately $3500. Students are responsible for their own living accommodations, transportation to and from selected clinical sites, background clearance, drug screening, CPR, health clearance, and any other costs required for clinical placement clearance procedures. See the Cerritos College catalog for enrollment and out-of-state resident fees.

Attendance

Students are expected to comply with the attendance requirements of the College and the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Program for all coursework, including clinical placements: “Students who are in excess of 10% of the total class hours are subject to drop.” Certain academic and career technical education areas may have stricter attendance requirements. Listed below are two types of absences which permit the making up of work missed, provided that the work is of such a nature that it can be made up.

  1. Authorized Absence: for an approved educational field trip or school activity
  2. Excused Absence: for illness, injury or quarantine

Scholarship, Promotion

Successful completion of all levels of course work is necessary for completion of and graduation from the program of study. Students are required to maintain a grade of “C” or higher in all Speech-Language Pathology Assistant classes in order to progress in the program. Upon successful completion of all degree requirements, students are eligible to receive an Associate in Science degree. This program uses a modified grading scale for all classes, in which 76% is considered a “C”.  It is recommended that students who are transferring to other colleges to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology (or related field) should meet with a Health Occupations counselor to ensure they have completed the necessary coursework for transfer, which may require additional classes beyond what is required for the Associate in Science-Plan A. Once the degree has been conferred, students may apply to the California Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers’ Board for licensure. The application and its requirements can be found at www.speechandhearing.ca.gov. It is the responsibility of the student to submit all application materials to the Board, including the verification of fieldwork hours, which must be signed by the student and the SLPA Department Chair. Completion of the program does not guarantee licensure or employment.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students adapt therapy materials and language based on the client's background and current level of functioning.
  • Students describe normal and disordered communication, etiologies, and their implications for physical and psychological development.
  • Students develop accurate and legible client/patient records in accordance with SLP guidelines.
  • Students distinguish between those skills that are within and that are beyond the Scope of Practice for a SLPA as identified by the California State Licensing Board and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
  • Students employ professional terminology correctly.
  • Students explain the privacy and confidentiality laws in regards to speech-language assessment and intervention.
  • Students gather data regularly during intervention to monitor the effectiveness of an intervention.
  • Students implement the training protocol and treatment plans as directed by the supervising SLP.
  • Students self-evaluate own performance realistically.

Program Requirements

Code Number Course Title Units
I. Prerequisite Courses
A. The following courses (or their equivalents) must be completed prior to application for the program with a grade of “C” or higher:
A&P 120Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology4.0
or A&P 150 Introduction to Human Anatomy
ASL 110American Sign Language I4.0
CD 110Child Development3.0
CD 139Observation, Assessment, and Positive Guidance of Childhood Behavior3.0
CDSE 150Introduction to Children with Special Needs3.0
or CDSE 152 Curriculum and Strategies for Children with Special Needs
SLP 100Introduction to Speech and Language Pathology1.0
SLP 101Introduction to Communication Disorders3.0
SLP 105Speech and Language Development3.0
SLP 208Introduction to Phonetics3.0
Subtotal27
B. Successful completion of coursework that satisfies the Reading, Writing, and Math proficiencies for the Associate of Science degree-Plan A prior to submitting their application.
II. Required Courses
First Semester
SLP 225Childhood Disorders and Treatment5.0
SLP 230Introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication3.0
Second Semester
SLP 235Adult Disorders and Treatment5.0
SLP 250Fieldwork Experience4.0
Total Units44

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Students must complete a minimum of 60-semester units to include (1) the prerequisite coursework (2), the required SLPA Program courses (3), the Associate in Science degree general education requirements and proficiencies (including the American History or American Government, Health and Wellness, and Communication and Analytical Thinking proficiencies), and (4), all classes with a grade of “C” or better in all courses required by the major.