Speech Language Pathology Assistant

Speech Language Pathology Assistant

The speech language pathology assistant can assist the speech language pathologist by providing services in multiple settings and can assist with rehabilitation and restorative programs. 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.

What You Will Learn

A speech language pathology assistant (SLPA) is a person who assists a licensed speech language pathologist (SLP) in a variety of areas, including:

  • conducting therapy in the areas of receptive and/or expressive language, articulation, fluency, augmentative/alternative communication (AAC), and oral motor skills
  • preparing materials for speech/language therapy
  • scheduling clients for speech/language therapy
  • maintaining files and billing insurance
  • maintaining 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.

    Corporate and Continuing Education

    Central Piedmont's Corporate and Continuing Education provides non-credit, 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 program requires the completion of 73-74 credit hours completed full time in six semesters. The curriculum includes general studies courses as well as program-specific courses. The required general education courses can be completed at any Central Piedmont campus. The required program-specific courses (SLP 111, SLP 140, SLP 150, SLP 112, SLP 120, SLP 130, PSY 265, SLP 211, SLP 215, SLP 220, SLP 212, SLP 230, and SLP 231) are taught at Caldwell Community College, but broadcast at Central Piedmont's Central Campus via live participatory classes. For detailed information on the general education courses that you can take at Central Piedmont, visit the Central Piedmont college catalog. For detailed information on the program-specific courses that you will take through Caldwell Community College, visit the Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute catalog.

    For most courses you can complete the coursework without having to travel to Caldwell Community college, 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 provided 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. There is also a clinical/fieldwork experience. 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.

    All of clinical facilities require a state and national criminal background investigation and drug screen of all students before they can be allowed into the clinical areas. All applicants are required to undergo a criminal background check and drug screen per clinical agency and healthcare system requirements. More information on how to complete these requirements will be provided upon acceptance. If you are refused access to clinical experiences because of a positive criminal background check or drug screen, you will be unable to complete the clinical component of the course. Inability to complete the clinical requirements will result in a failure to progress in the program. Under North Carolina law some people with criminal backgrounds may be eligible for an expunction to remove charges or convictions from their record. If you would like to know whether or not you are eligible, contact Central Piedmont's Single Stop at 704.330.2722, ext. 6435 or email singlestop@cpcc.edu to schedule a legal consultation. To learn more about expunctions, explore the NC Justice Center’s guide. The costs associated with criminal background checks and drug screenings are the responsibility of the student. 

    You will also expected to submit a completed medical form including documentation of immunizations to Caldwell Community College on or before September 1st of the first semester of enrollment. Following acceptance, more information regarding this requirement will be provided. You will also be required to be certified in infant, child, and adult CPR by successfully completing an American Heart Association Healthcare Provider course, an American Red Cross Professional Rescuer or Healthcare Provider course, or a National Safety Council Healthcare Provider course. A copy of the current CPR certification should be submitted to Caldwell Community College on or before September 1st of the first semester of enrollment.

    Apply to the Speech Language Pathology Assistant Program

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

    The need for placement tests are determined by Caldwell Community College upon evaluation of your official college transcripts, ACT/SAT scores, or official CPT scores from another college. Should placement tests be required, they can be taken through the Central Piedmont testing center. However, you will need to request that an official copy of your placement test results be sent to Caldwell Community College. If required, the placement test requirement will not be met until official placement test documentation is received by Caldwell Community College. Once all admissions requirements are met, you will also undergo a minimum admissions requirements (MAR) review through Caldwell Community College. This can be done virtually. To schedule the MAR review, please contact the program coordinator at Caldwell Community College.

  • Locations

    Required general education courses can be completed at any Central Piedmont campus, and the program-specific courses are taught at Caldwell Community College but broadcast at Central Piedmont's Central campus via live participatory classes on either Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday mornings (dependent upon the Caldwell Community College semester schedule). There will be a technician on hand should there be technical difficulties. For most courses you can complete the coursework without having to travel to Caldwell Community college. However, 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 will be listed on the class syllabus/schedule provided 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 are subject to change from semester to semester. Always confirm which courses are required to complete this program in the Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute catalog and confirm where general education courses are available at Central Piedmont using Schedule Builder.

  • Course Delivery Methods

    Classroom/Lab/Clinical

    General education course delivery methods will vary. The program-specific courses are taught at Caldwell Community College but broadcast at Central Piedmont's Central campus via live participatory classes on either Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday mornings (dependent upon the Caldwell Community College semester schedule). There will be a technician on hand should there be technical difficulties. For most courses you can complete the coursework without having to travel to Caldwell Community college. However, 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 will be listed on the class syllabus/schedule provided 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 are subject to change from semester to semester. Always confirm which courses are required to complete this program in the Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute catalog and confirm Central Piedmont course delivery methods using Schedule Builder.

  • 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
    • Friday, February 28 9:30 a.m., E136
    • Wednesday, March 4, 12 p.m., E345
    • Wednesday, March 18, 3 p.m., E345

    Location: Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, Caldwell Campus, E Building, Room 119, 2855 Hickory Blvd., Hudson, NC 28638

    If attending an information session at either location, 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 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.

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