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Home Catalog Programs of Study List of Programs Speech-Language Pathology

Speech-Language Pathology

Overview

The Speech Language Pathology degree program 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.

Degrees and Certificates Offered

  • A.S. in Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Program
  • SLPA Core Curriculum Certificate Certificate
  • SLPA Specialization: Adult Neurogenic Certificate
  • SLPA Specialization: Early Intervention Certificate
  • SLPA Specialization: School Age Certificate

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: August 1, 2026

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 305 Introduction to Geropsychology and the Aging Brain (3) 3
   or PSYC 375 Introduction to Geropsychology and the Aging Brain (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, and either (a) the Local General Education Pattern or (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC), plus sufficient electives for a total of at least 60 units. 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: August 1, 2026

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: August 1, 2026

Certificate Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
AH 311 Medical Language for Health-Care Providers 3
GERON 305 Introduction to Geropsychology and the Aging Brain (3) 3
   or PSYC 375 Introduction to Geropsychology and the Aging Brain (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 of Achievement will indicate specialized learning opportunities for addressing the communicative and cognitive needs of the adult with neurological impairments, thus improving the marketability of the SLPA upon earning the Associate in Science in Speech-Language Pathology.

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: August 1, 2026

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: August 1, 2026

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.

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:August 1, 2026

This Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) 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.

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:August 1, 2026

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, scope of practice, and laws/regulations are covered. Students are required to observe a minimum of six (6) hours of recorded clinical sessions from the Master Clinician Network.

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:August 1, 2026

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).

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:August 1, 2026

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).

SLPA 117 SLPA Therapy Techniques: School Age

  • Units:2
  • Hours:36 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:SLPA 105 and 300 with grades of "C" or better
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

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.

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:August 1, 2026

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.

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:August 1, 2026

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. Students are required to observe a minimum of six (6) hours of recorded clinical sessions from the Master Clinician Network.

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:August 1, 2026

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.

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:August 1, 2026

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.

SLPA 127 Childhood Language Development

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

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.

SLPA 299 Experimental Offering in Speech-Language Pathology

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.

SLPA 300 Introduction to Communication Disorders

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

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 recorded clinical sessions from the Master Clinician Network.

Catalog