Speech Language Pathology Assistant

This joint program with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute will train you to help provide speech rehabilitation and restorative services.

What You Will Learn

The speech language pathology assistant (SLPA) can assist the speech language pathologist by providing services in multiple settings. Speech language pathology assistants can increase the frequency, efficiency, and availability of services for people who experience communication disorders, can help increase access to care for diverse populations, and increase diversity in the workforce by having different levels of entry into the profession. As a speech language pathology assistant, you will help a licensed speech language pathologist (SLP) in a variety of areas, such as:

  • conduct therapy in the areas of receptive and/or expressive language, articulation, fluency, augmentative/alternative communication (AAC), and oral motor skills
  • prepare materials for speech/language therapy
  • schedule clients for speech/language therapy
  • maintain files and billing insurance
  • maintain equipment

Speech language pathology assistants have a clearly delineated scope of responsibilities, which is much narrower than that of a certified professional. They may provide therapy under a written protocol and direct supervision of a licensed speech language pathologist. Assistants may perform hearing and speech-language screenings. They may not make independent clinical decisions, conduct evaluations, make admission or discharge recommendations, counsel patients, or prepare formal documentation. The Central Piedmont Speech Language Pathology Assistant program is offered in collaboration with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. The program includes classroom instruction, clinical experience (fieldwork), and hands-on laboratory experience.

Graduates from the program may be eligible for registration with the NC Board and will be supervised by a licensed speech language pathologist when employed in various work settings, including schools, home health, and private practices. There is currently no accrediting body for speech language pathology assistant programs at the associate degree level; speech language pathology assistants in the state are regulated by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists.

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Why Choose Central Piedmont

During the fieldwork experience, you will have the opportunity to utilize your knowledge and refine skills while working under the supervision of a licensed speech language pathologist. At the end of the final semester of the program, you will take the North Carolina Registration exam for Speech Language Pathology Assistants. This exam is offered through Castle Worldwide with the results shared and reported to the North Carolina Speech Hearing-Language Association (NCSHLA).

Real World Education

At Central Piedmont, your education goes beyond what you learn in class. We offer numerous opportunities for you to enhance your learning — and to make friends, network, and pursue your passions — through clubs and organizations, sports, events and activities, leadership opportunities, job experience, volunteer experiences, visual and performing arts, and even international experiences.

The Details

  • Program Options

    Earn a speech language pathology assistant Associate in Applied Science that is awarded by Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. If you would like information on opportunities to transfer associate degree credit to a four-year institution, please visit the Central Piedmont Transfer Resource Center.

    Visiting Students

    If you wish to transfer speech language pathologist assistant course credit back to your home institution, explore how to enroll at Central Piedmont as a visiting student.

    Continuing Education

    Central Piedmont's continuing education provides non-degree courses and programs, including job skills, industry-focused career training, certificates, certifications, professional licensure, and personal enrichment. Day, evening, weekend, and online opportunities are available.

    College and Career Readiness

    If you are looking for programs to gain the knowledge or skills necessary to finish a high school degree or to get a job, visit Central Piedmont's College and Career Readiness.

    College Credit for High School Students

    Visit Career and College Promise to learn about opportunities for high school students to earn college credit at Central Piedmont.

  • Speech Language Pathologist Assistant Program Requirements

    You will need to enroll at both Central Piedmont and Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute to complete this program.

    The speech language pathologist assistant associate degree requires that you complete 73-74 credit hours (general education and program-specific courses) completed full-time in six semesters. You can complete the general education courses at any Central Piedmont campus and will do the required program-specific courses at Caldwell. (The Caldwell courses are broadcast at Central Piedmont's Central Campus via live participatory classes.) For detailed information on the required courses, visit:

    There is also a clinical/fieldwork experience requirement. You will work with Caldwell Community College faculty and staff to arrange a clinical experience in the Charlotte-metro area. Textbooks for the SLP courses must be purchased either through Caldwell Community College's bookstore or through online vendors; textbooks for program-specific courses will not be available at the Central Piedmont bookstore.

    You will also be expected to submit a completed medical form, including documentation of immunizations, to Caldwell. You will get more information about this requirement if you are accepted into the program.

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  • Locations and Course Delivery Methods

    You can complete the required general education courses (listed on the program pre-admission guide) at any Central Piedmont campus (based on course availability). The program-specific courses are taught at Caldwell Community College but broadcast at Central Piedmont's Central campus via live participatory classes.

    You can complete most coursework without having to travel to Caldwell, but there will be some required hands-on activities/labs (typically 1–3 per semester) for which you will need to travel to Caldwell Community College. The dates of travel to Caldwell Community College will be listed on the class syllabus/schedule you get at the beginning of each semester to allow you time to plan accordingly. If you cannot attend on the scheduled date, you are asked to contact the instructor as soon as possible to discuss other options.

    Course offerings and availability can change each semester.

  • Speech Language Pathologist Assistant Careers

    According to the most recent data from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), a nationwide membership survey in 2009 found that 42% of speech language pathologists employed in schools reported having speech language pathologist support personnel and that 32% of members in healthcare settings reported having at least one speech language pathologist support personnel employed.

    Graduates from the program may be eligible for registration with the NC Board and will be supervised by a licensed speech language pathologist when employed in various work settings, including schools, home health, and private practices. Only speech language pathologists (master's level) licensed by the Board of Examiners may register a speech language pathology assistant. Students who do not pass the registration exam may not work in the state of North Carolina as a speech language pathology assistant. Speech language pathology assistants must have the minimum of an associate degree in speech language pathology assisting or equivalent training as approved by the board of examiners. There is no reciprocity between states for speech language pathology assistants at this time. Visit Central Piedmont’s Career Coach for detailed speech language pathologist assistant career opportunities, salary information, and job openings.

  • Costs and Aid

    Central Piedmont provides real-world, affordable, hands-on education and career training. Learn how much it costs to attend Central Piedmont. You should contact the financial aid department at Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute, not the Central Piedmont financial aid office, to fill out forms to determine your financial aid eligibility. For this program, financial aid will be awarded from Caldwell Community College only. If awarded, this financial aid may also be applied to the general education coursework you take at Central Piedmont.

  • Attend an Information Session

    Sessions will be held virtually on the following dates (see list below). To get the link to access a session, contact Jessica Raby, Program Director, at jraby@cccti.edu or Paige West-Smith, clinical coordinator/instructor at pwest-smith@cccti.edu.

    Please print out the following forms and bring to the information session to complete:

    If unable to attend any of the information sessions listed, there are one-on-one phone sessions available. Please contact Jessica Raby, program director, at jraby@cccti.edu or Paige West-Smith, clinical coordinator/instructor at pwest-smith@cccti.edu for more information.

    Fall 2022 Information Sessions

    • August 24: 9 a.m.
    • September 7: 2 p.m.
    • September 28: 9 a.m.
    • October 19: 2 p.m.
    • November 2: 9 a.m.

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How to Apply

You'll need to apply to both Caldwell Community College and Central Piedmont.

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