Skip to Content

Home Academics Programs and Majors Speech-Language Pathology

Speech-Language Pathology

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Associate Degree

A.S. in Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Program

This degree prepares students to assist Speech-Language Pathologists in treating disorders of communication. Such disorders may be related to articulation and phonology, child and adult language, motor speech, voice, fluency, and hearing. Topics include an introduction to the field of communication disorders, articulation and phonology for the speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA), professional issues and practices in speech-language pathology, speech/language/hearing clinical strategies, clinical considerations in service delivery to clients with communication disorders, and fieldwork experience.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
DEAF 310 American Sign Language I 4
ECE 312 Child Development (3) 3
   or PSYC 372 Child Development (3)
ECE 325 Positive Guidance Strategies with Young Children 3
ECE 404 Children with Special Needs 3
GERON 302 Psychology of Aging: Adult Development and Aging (3) 3
   or PSYC 374 Psychology of Aging: Adult Development and Aging (3)
SLPA 105 Articulation and Phonology for the SLPA 3
SLPA 110 Professional Issues and Practices in Speech-Language Pathology 3
SLPA 115 Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinical Strategies 3
SLPA 120 Clinical Considerations in Service Delivery to Clients with Communication Disorders 3
SLPA 121 Fieldwork Experience in Speech-Language Pathology 4
SLPA 300 Introduction to Communication Disorders 3
COMM 325 Intercultural Communication 3
COMM 331 Group Discussion 3
Total Units: 41

The Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Program Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus the local ARC General Education Requirement, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See ARC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • describe various communication disorders, including etiology and some remedial techniques.
  • explain the major areas of cultural diversity and the relationship between culture and communication.
  • demonstrate skills needed to assist in the management of speech-language pathology programs and services.
  • describe the therapeutic process especially in terms of how learning occurs and strategies for effective lesson delivery.
  • implement a treatment protocol as prescribed by the supervising Speech-Language Pathologist.
  • describe professional responsibilities and ethical behavior appropriate for the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant.

Career Information

Upon completion of the Associate in Science degree, a student possesses the course work and field work experience to work as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) in both private and public agencies, such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and the public schools serving preschool through adult-age clients. Successful completion of the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant program qualifies the graduate for eligibility to apply to the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board for registration as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant.

Certificates of Achievement

SLPA Core Curriculum Certificate Certificate

This certificate is designed for students with a bachelor's degree in the field of communication sciences and disorders. With the addition of this certificate, they will be prepared to assist Speech-Language Pathologists in treating disorders of communication. Such disorders may be related to articulation and phonology, child and adult language, motor speech, voice, fluency, and hearing. Topics include articulation and phonology for the speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA), professional issues and practices in speech-language pathology, clinical considerations in service delivery to clients with communication disorders, and fieldwork experience.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
SLPA 105 Articulation and Phonology for the SLPA 3
SLPA 110 Professional Issues and Practices in Speech-Language Pathology 3
SLPA 115 Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinical Strategies 3
SLPA 120 Clinical Considerations in Service Delivery to Clients with Communication Disorders 3
SLPA 121 Fieldwork Experience in Speech-Language Pathology 4
SLPA 300 Introduction to Communication Disorders 3
Total Units: 19

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • describe various communication disorders, including etiology and some remedial techniques.
  • explain the major areas of cultural diversity and the relationship between culture and communication.
  • demonstrate skills needed to assist in the management of speech-language pathology programs and services.
  • describe the therapeutic process especially in terms of how learning occurs and strategies for effective lesson delivery.
  • implement a treatment protocol as prescribed by the supervising Speech-Language Pathologist.
  • describe professional responsibilities and ethical behavior appropriate for the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant.

Career Information

Upon completion of the SLPA Core Curriculum Certificate and awarding of the Bachelor's degree in the field of Communication Sciences and Disorders, the student qualifies for for eligibility to apply to the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (SLPAHADB) for registration as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) in the State of California. The registered SLPA may work in both private and public agencies, such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and the public schools serving infants through adult-age clients addressing communication and cognitive needs.


SLPA Specialization: Adult Neurogenic Certificate

This certificate prepares students to assist Speech-Language Pathologists in treating disorders of communication occurring in the adult neurogenic population. Such disorders may be related to articulation and phonology, language, motor speech, voice, fluency, and hearing. Topics include medical language for health care providers, psychology of aging - adult development and aging, neurogenic communication disorders, neurogenic therapy techniques, and fieldwork experience.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
AH 311 Medical Language for Health-Care Providers 3
GERON 302 Psychology of Aging: Adult Development and Aging (3) 3
   or PSYC 374 Psychology of Aging: Adult Development and Aging (3)
SLPA 105 Articulation and Phonology for the SLPA 3
SLPA 110 Professional Issues and Practices in Speech-Language Pathology 3
SLPA 115 Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinical Strategies 3
SLPA 116 SLPA Therapy Techniques: Neurogenic Communication Disorders 2
SLPA 120 Clinical Considerations in Service Delivery to Clients with Communication Disorders 3
SLPA 121 Fieldwork Experience in Speech-Language Pathology 4
SLPA 126 Neurogenic Communication Disorders for the SLPA 3
SLPA 300 Introduction to Communication Disorders 3
Total Units: 30

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • describe various communication disorders affecting the adult age population, including etiology and remediation techniques.
  • demonstrate skills needed to assist in the management of adult neurogenic speech-language pathology programs and services.
  • describe the therapeutic process especially in terms of how learning occurs and strategies for effective lesson delivery for the adult population.
  • implement a treatment protocol as prescribed by the supervising Speech-Language Pathologist.
  • explain service provision differences between inpatient, outpatient, home, and clinic-based therapeutic models for the adult.
  • describe professional responsibilities and ethical behavior appropriate for the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant when working with the adult population.

Career Information

Successful completion of the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) program qualifies the student to earn an Associate in Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology. The SLPA graduate possesses the course work and field work experience to apply to the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (SLPAHADB) for registration as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) in the State of California. The registered SLPA may work in both private and public agencies, such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and the public schools serving infants through adult-age clients. This certificate will indicate specialized learning opportunities for addressing the communicative and cognitive needs of the adult with neurological impairments.


SLPA Specialization: Early Intervention Certificate

This certificate prepares students to assist Speech-Language Pathologists in treating disorders of communication for children between the ages of birth-3 years of age. Such disorders may be related to language, oral motor movements, and hearing. Topics include infant and toddler development, children with special needs, Early Intervention therapy techniques, childhood language development, and fieldwork experience.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
ECE 330 Infant and Toddler Development 3
ECE 404 Children with Special Needs 3
SLPA 105 Articulation and Phonology for the SLPA 3
SLPA 110 Professional Issues and Practices in Speech-Language Pathology 3
SLPA 115 Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinical Strategies 3
SLPA 118 SLPA Therapy Techniques: Early Intervention 1.5
SLPA 120 Clinical Considerations in Service Delivery to Clients with Communication Disorders 3
SLPA 121 Fieldwork Experience in Speech-Language Pathology 4
SLPA 127 Childhood Language Development 3
SLPA 300 Introduction to Communication Disorders 3
Total Units: 29.5

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • describe various communication disorders affecting children ages birth-3 years, including etiology and remediation techniques.
  • demonstrate skills needed to assist in the management of Early Intervention (EI) speech-language pathology programs and services.
  • describe the therapeutic process especially in terms of how learning occurs and strategies for effective lesson delivery for the EI population.
  • implement a treatment protocol as prescribed by the supervising Speech-Language Pathologist.
  • explain service provision differences between home and clinic therapeutic models for the EI population.
  • describe professional responsibilities and ethical behavior appropriate for the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant.

Career Information

Successful completion of the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) program qualifies the student to earn an Associate in Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology. The SLPA graduate possesses the course work and field work experience to apply to the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (SLPAHADB) for registration as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) in the State of California. The registered SLPA may work in both private and public agencies, such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and the public schools serving infants through adult-age clients. This certificate will indicate specialized learning opportunities for addressing the communicative needs of the Early Intervention (EI) population.


SLPA Specialization: School Age Certificate

This certificate prepares students to assist Speech-Language Pathologists in treating disorders of communication occurring in the school age population. Such disorders may be related to articulation and phonology, language, motor speech, voice, fluency, and hearing. Topics include child development, children with special needs, school age therapy techniques, childhood language development, and fieldwork experience.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
ECE 312 Child Development (3) 3
   or PSYC 372 Child Development (3)
ECE 404 Children with Special Needs 3
SLPA 105 Articulation and Phonology for the SLPA 3
SLPA 110 Professional Issues and Practices in Speech-Language Pathology 3
SLPA 115 Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinical Strategies 3
SLPA 117 SLPA Therapy Techniques: School Age 2
SLPA 120 Clinical Considerations in Service Delivery to Clients with Communication Disorders 3
SLPA 121 Fieldwork Experience in Speech-Language Pathology 4
SLPA 127 Childhood Language Development 3
SLPA 300 Introduction to Communication Disorders 3
Total Units: 30

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • describe various communication disorders affecting the school age population (3-21 years), including etiology and remediation techniques.
  • demonstrate skills needed to assist in the management of school-aged speech-language pathology programs and services.
  • describe the therapeutic process especially in terms of how learning occurs and strategies for effective lesson delivery for the school-aged population.
  • implement a treatment protocol as prescribed by the supervising Speech-Language Pathologist.
  • explain service provision differences between clinic and educational therapeutic models for the school-aged population.
  • describe professional responsibilities and ethical behavior appropriate for the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant.

Career Information

Successful completion of the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) program qualifies the student to earn an Associate in Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology. The SLPA graduate possesses the course work and field work experience to apply to the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (SLPAHADB) for registration as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) in the State of California. The registered SLPA may work in both private and public agencies, such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and the public schools serving infants through adult-age clients. This certificate will indicate specialized learning opportunities for addressing the communicative needs of the school-aged population.