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.

This program is designed to meet education requirements for licensure or certification in the State of Arizona. Granting licensure and certification is the sole responsibility of the state board or approval agency. This program is only offered and available to students located in the State of Arizona. The Maricopa County Community College District and colleges define student location within Administrative Regulation 2.2.3(7).

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 ��ż��ٲ� 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:

Abide by state and national scope of practice.
Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior in accordance with state and national standards.
Administer informal screenings and therapy probes to gather data to support a treatment plan.
Draw conclusions from multiple sources of information to inform the implementation of a treatment plan.
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.
Identify appropriate technology solutions to meet client needs.
Document progress toward goals in an established treatment plan.
Communicate in a culturally responsive manner, demonstrating empathetic and active listening skills.
Communicate complex information clearly with a purpose appropriate to the context and audience in written and oral forms.
Produce documentation of services in compliance with regulation and reimbursement requirements.
Demonstrate the ability to learn from and adapt to changing contexts.
Select relevant continued professional and personal growth opportunities within the field.
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 wages* for this degree. 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. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Speech-Language Pathology Assistants

$41,030 Show expanded career information for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources.

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 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

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
			Critical course Gateway course		3
or	or	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in or or ) or (B or better in ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in or or ) or (B or better in ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ).		FYC or FYC	3
or or or	or or or	No requisites or Prerequisites: C or better in (, or , or , or , or 1 yr of high school biology) and (, or , or higher, or eligibility for ). or higher or one year of high school chemistry suggested but not required. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or higher level mathematics course, or eligibility for or higher as indicated by appropriate placement. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in or or or or eligibility for as indicated by appropriate placement or one year high school Trigonometry with a grade of C or better or permission of Department or Division.		SQ or SG or SQ or SQ	4
			Critical course	SB	3
				SB	3
or	or				1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
			Critical course		3
			Critical course		3
		Prerequisites: Admission into the Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) Program.	Critical course		3
or	or	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in . or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in .		FYC or FYC	3
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [( or ) and ( or or or or or )] or a grade of B or better in or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor.		L	3
				MA	3–6

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
		Prerequisites: Admission into the Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) Program.		3
		Prerequisites: Admission into the Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) Program.		3
		Prerequisites: Admission into the Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) Program.		3
			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	Credits
		Prerequisites: Admission into the Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) Program.		3
		Prerequisites: Admission into the Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) Program.		3
		Prerequisites: Admission into the Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) Program.		3
or	or	Prerequisites: Admission into the Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) Program. or Prerequisites: Admission into the Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) Program.	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
Requisites	Area	Credits
	C, G, SB	3
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or permission of Instructor.	HU, SB	3
	C, G	3
Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in or .	C	3
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ( and eligibility for or higher as indicated by appropriate district mathematics placement) or permission of Instructor.	CS	3
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or permission of Instructor.	SB	3
	SB	3
	HU	3

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 for additional details regarding the requirements of this award .

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.

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