SLPA
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY
ASSISTANT PROGRAM
This career
major is designed to prepare students for employment and certification
under the California licensing system as
a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant.
SLPAs are prepared for successful careers that will include
employment in rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, skilled nursing
facilities, public schools, and other community agencies.
General
education courses for the Associate of Science degree are selected to
supplement the SLPA core
classes, fulfill the American Speech Language Hearing Association’s (ASHA’s)
guidelines and conform to California Speech Language Pathology and
Audiology Board licensure requirements.
The SLPA Program provides a concentration of speech and language
classes. Related general education courses in biological, social and
behavioral sciences are required as well as supervised field experience
that will prepare students to assist and support speech and language
pathologists in clinical and educational settings.
SPEECH/LANGUAGE
PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
Speech-language pathology assistants can increase the frequency, efficiency, and availability of services. They can assist the Speech Language Pathologist by providing services to multiple settings and they can assist with habilitation and restorative programs. The use of assistants can increase access to care for diverse populations, and increase diversity in the work force by having different levels of entry into the profession. The use of well-trained speech-language pathology assistants is one way to increase the frequency of services while maintaining the quality.
Speech-language pathology assistants have a clearly delineated scope of responsibilities that is much narrower than that of a certified/licensed professional. They may perform limited clinical duties under written protocol and direct supervision of a certified or licensed SLP. Assistants may perform speech and language screenings. They may not make independent clinical decisions, conduct evaluations, make admission or discharge recommendations, counsel patients or prepare formal documentation. GC will not allow any student to perform any duties outside their scope of practice.
SPEECH/LANGUAGE
PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT PROGRAM MISSION STATEMENT
To provide a quality educational program that values the uniqueness of all human beings; the is committed to producing competent, socially responsive entry level speech language pathology assistants, serving the San Diego community by educating students to provide speech/language therapy services to a complex, culturally diverse population under the direction of a licensed or credentialed speech language pathologist. This program is also committed to the encouragement of life-long learning in an ever-changing society.
Grossmont College is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges, the Community College League of California, and the National Commission on Accrediting. Appropriate courses are fully accepted on transfer by the University of California, the California State University system, and by private four-year colleges and universities.
Grossmont College is accredited by the California Speech Language Pathology & Audiology Board (SLPAB) for certification. Students who have successfully completed all the requirements of course work and fieldwork are eligible to apply to the California SLPAB for certification. Students seeking employment outside of California should contact the state's Speech Pathology/Audiology License Board regarding specific licensure or registration requirements.
The SLPA program has recently received state approval from the Speech Language Pathology Audiology Board.
