Speech-Language Pathology
Speech-Language Pathology (SLPA) Courses
SLPA 105 Articulation and Phonology for the SLPA
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:SLPA 300 with a grade of "C" or better
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course introduces principles and practices for management of individuals with articulation and/or phonological disorders, with consideration for cultural and linguistic variations. Screening protocols as well as therapeutic practices and materials are discussed. Additionally, this course covers the study and application of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), transcription from Standard American English to IPA, and transcription from IPA to Standard American English.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- differentiate between articulation disorders and phonological disorders.
- identify anatomical structures and physiological functions related to normal speech production.
- transcribe Standard American English into the IPA and transcribe the IPA into Standard American English.
- collect a speech sample from a child and develop a phonetic inventory.
- accurately document performance of a sample client on an articulation screener.
- model therapeutic techniques for treating articulation and phonological disorders.
- label oral motor tools and describe how to use them effectively with clients.
SLPA 110 Professional Issues and Practices in Speech-Language Pathology
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:SLPA 300 with a grade of "C" or better
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course introduces principles and practices for management of individuals with communicative disorders, with consideration for cultural and linguistic variations. It includes legal and ethical considerations for the practicing Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) as well as the practicing Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). Requirements for employment in various work settings, including interdisciplinary and supervisory relationships, observational skills, mandated reporting, Code of Ethics, and scope of practice are covered. A total of six (6) hours of clinical observation, in-person or virtual, are required.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- demonstrate functional knowledge of professional responsibilities and ethical behavior appropriate for the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA).
- describe the skills needed to assist in the management of speech-language pathology programs and services.
- evaluate the supervisory process, the clinical competencies expected, and the SLP/SLPA role in the process.
- describe a variety of recording and behavioral interpretation techniques for use in observation.
- identify the important skills in observation, including differentiating between fact, opinion, judgment, and speculation.
- list job professions that are considered mandated reporters and describe the process of reporting abuses (of the child or adult client).
- demonstrate functional knowledge of concepts and principles in the context of cultural and linguistic differences when serving the communicative needs of multilingual populations.
- analyze therapeutic processes and materials to address communication deficits from the review of live speech and language therapy sessions.
SLPA 115 Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinical Strategies
- Units:3
- Hours:36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:SLPA 105 with a grade of "C" or better
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course explores specific materials and strategies regarding speech, language, and hearing therapeutic service delivery with a focus on screening and intervention. It covers speech, language and hearing screening procedures, forms of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), development of forms of AAC, and the collection and transcription of language samples. This course is designed as an additional opportunity to gain more experience in preparation for fieldwork as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA).
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- identify various forms of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
- demonstrate high-tech, low-tech, and no-tech forms of AAC for use with children and/or adults.
- collect language samples in children and/or adults.
- transcribe language samples in children and/or adults.
- calculate and confirm Mean Length of Utterance (MLU).
- administer a speech and language screening and accurately document child/adult performance.
- administer a hearing screening and accurately document child/adult performance.
SLPA 116 SLPA Therapy Techniques: Neurogenic Communication Disorders
- Units:2
- Hours:36 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:SLPA 300 with a grade of "C" or better
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course explores specific neurologically-based disorders of communication and their causes and characteristics as acquired by adult clientele. Specific materials and strategies are emphasized for therapeutic service delivery within the realm of speech, language, and cognition. It covers anatomy, neurological etiologies, remediation techniques/material/equipment, rationales for commonly used therapeutic approaches, individual vs. group therapy, service provision sites, data collection, clinical documentation and record keeping, and the role of the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA).
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- formulate information related to the etiologies, variations, and disorders of communication for the adult client.
- critique common treatment strategies used in remediation of communication and cognitive disorders of the adult.
- demonstrate functional knowledge of setting up a therapeutic space and managing materials for the adult client.
- observe and report clinical behavior in an objective manner.
- demonstrate data collection during simulated speech, language, and/or cognitive activities.
- compile a resource list including therapeutic materials and the communication goal areas they address for the adult client.
SLPA 117 SLPA Therapy Techniques: School Age
- Units:2
- Hours:36 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:SLPA 300 with a grade of "C" or better
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course explores specific disorders of communication and therapeutic service provision with the school-aged population. Specific materials and strategies regarding service delivery are emphasized, with a focus on evidence-based practice. It covers remediation techniques and rationales for commonly used therapeutic approaches, strategies for service delivery in school and clinic environments, materials management, proxemics, data collection, safety, and communication with caregiver, colleagues and supervisor. This course also reviews service delivery models, scope of responsibilities, and the role of the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) in intervention.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- formulate information related to the etiologies, variations, and disorders of communication with people ages 3-20 years.
- critique common treatment strategies used in remediation of communication disorders with people ages 3-20 years.
- demonstrate functional knowledge of setting up a therapeutic space and managing materials with the school-aged population.
- demonstrate data collection during simulated speech and language activities.
- examine the component parts of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and the responsibilities of the SLPA.
- compile a resource list including therapeutic materials and the communication goal areas they address.
SLPA 118 SLPA Therapy Techniques: Early Intervention
- Units:1.5
- Hours:18 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:SLPA 300 with a grade of "C" or better
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course explores specific disorders of communication and therapeutic service provision with the Early Intervention (EI) population. Specific materials and strategies regarding service delivery are emphasized, with a focus on evidence-based practice. It also covers remediation techniques and rationales for commonly used therapeutic approaches, strategies for service delivery in home and clinic environments, materials management, proxemics, data collection, safety, and communication with caregiver and supervisor. This course reviews the scope of responsibilities and the role of the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) in intervention.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- formulate information related to the etiologies, variations, and disorders of communication with children aged birth-3 years.
- critique common treatment strategies used in remediation of communication disorders with children aged birth-3 years.
- demonstrate functional knowledge of setting up a therapeutic space and managing materials with the Early Intervention (EI) population.
- demonstrate data collection during simulated speech and language activities.
- compare indoor/outdoor communication styles of children.
- compile a resource list including therapeutic materials and the communication goal areas they address.
- examine the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) and the role of the SLPA.
SLPA 120 Clinical Considerations in Service Delivery to Clients with Communication Disorders
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:SLPA 110 with a grade of "C" or better
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course explores specific disorders of communication, and their causes and characteristics. Specific materials and strategies regarding service delivery are emphasized, with a focus on evidence-based practice. Similarities and differences with regard to therapeutic service provision by the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) and the Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) are introduced. This course covers remediation techniques and rationales for commonly used therapeutic approaches as well as principles of learning, strategies for service delivery with groups of clients, data collection, clinical documentation, and record keeping. It also reviews the scope of responsibilities and the role of the SLPA in intervention and behavior management strategies. A total of six (6) hours of clinical observation, in-person or virtual, are required.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- formulate information related to the etiologies, variations, and disorders of human communication.
- critique common treatment strategies used in remediation of communication disorders.
- investigate principles of evidence-based practice.
- demonstrate functional knowledge of the therapeutic process.
- observe and report clinical behavior in an objective manner, including techniques for accurate charting and graphing of client responses.
- implement a treatment protocol as prescribed by the supervising SLP.
SLPA 121 Fieldwork Experience in Speech-Language Pathology
- Units:4
- Hours:18 hours LEC; 162 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:SLPA 115 and 120 with grades of "C" or better
- Enrollment Limitation:Prior to student orientation, the following requirements must be submitted for review: (1) Proof of negative tuberculin (TB) skin test within three months prior to class. (2) If the TB skin test result is positive, proof of inactive TB chest x-ray within one year prior to class. (3) Proof of completion of CPR/First Aid certification. (4) Proof of malpractice insurance. Live Scan fingerprinting is determined through clinical placement protocol. If a student receives a deficient grade (D/F), SLPA 121 may be repeated once.
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course provides supervised fieldwork experience assisting with the clinical management of persons with communicative disorders. It covers the job-related skills needed to be a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA). It also provides opportunities to interact with clients/patients while implementing a prescribed treatment plan and assisting with screening or evaluation under the direction of a speech-language pathologist. This course includes opportunities for record keeping and managing client data, setting up/preparing for sessions, and performing various clerical duties. A portion of this course may be offered in a TBA component of 162 hours which will include supervised fieldwork experience assisting with the clinical management of persons with communicative disorders.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- manage speech and language screenings (without interpretation) following specified screening protocols developed by a supervising Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP).
- plan activities pertaining to documented treatment plans in order to provide services to clients/patients under the direction of a supervising SLP.
- manage intervention activities and assist in service delivery with clients identified by a supervising SLP.
- appraise client/patient progress toward meeting the established objectives as stated in the prescribed treatment plan and document changes made.
- detect and report client/patient progress and any other important information to the supervising SLP.
- create materials and assist with other clerical duties as directed by a supervising SLP.
- apply skills as necessary to assist the supervising SLP, such as scheduling and record keeping.
- explain Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) legislation and maintain the confidentiality of client information.
- perform all duties according to documented legal and ethical standards.
- complete the application process to become a registered speech-language pathology assistant.
SLPA 126 Neurogenic Communication Disorders for the SLPA
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:SLPA 300 with a grade of "C" or better
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course explores neurogenic cognitive-communicative disorders in adults and is designed for the speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA). It covers basic neuroanatomy, cognitive-communicative disorders acquired in adulthood, as well as therapeutic approaches and strategies for service delivery. The scope of responsibilities and the role of the SLPA are reviewed.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- label basic neuroanatomy structures and describe their function(s).
- formulate information related to etiologies, variations, and disorders of human communication as it relates to the adult client.
- critique common treatment strategies used in remediation of cognitive-communication disorders.
- investigate principles of evidence-based practice.
- demonstrate functional knowledge of the therapeutic processes addressing the adult with cognitive-communication disorders.
SLPA 127 Childhood Language Development
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course prepares the student for a complete review of how children develop language within their established language communities. It is designed to prepare people who work with children (early childhood educators, speech-language pathology assistants, etc.) with the knowledge of developmental stages of language acquisition, as well as receptive and expressive language milestones. Topics include the hearing mechanism, comprehension of language, gestures, social pragmatics, semantic development, morphology and syntax, language impairment, as well as cultural variables impacting communication.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- describe developmental patterns in early language learning which lay the foundation for the communicative process.
- identify the aspects of culture which impact the development of language.
- label anatomical structures involved in the hearing mechanism and speech mechanism.
- describe the differences between phonology, morphology, syntax and pragmatics.
- examine and describe prelinguistic communication behaviors.
- identify markers of a potential language impairment.
- compare a transcribed language sample with Brown's Stages of Morphological Development.
- correlate sound play and phonological development to expressive language.
SLPA 299 Experimental Offering in Speech-Language Pathology
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Prerequisite:None.
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This is the experimental courses description.
SLPA 300 Introduction to Communication Disorders
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This course is an introduction to the field of communication disorders, including an overview and history of the profession of speech-language pathology. It includes an overview of various speech and language disorders, as well as guidelines for determining the development of typical and atypical speech and language. Students are required to observe a minimum of three hours of videotaped clinical sessions from the Master Clinician Network.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- differentiate between typical and atypical speech and language development.
- identify major categories of communication disorders and their possible etiological factors.
- label diagrams of anatomical structures necessary for the production of speech.
- identify communication disorders in individuals of various ages with consideration of cultural and linguistic differences.
- identify various options for employment within the field, as well as professional organizations which support the field.
- analyze therapeutic processes and materials to address communication deficits from the review of multimedia sources.