ChemeketaCommunity CollegeSLPA Program

The Chemeketa Community College Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Program (SLPA) is an Online 45 credit program that prepares individuals to work as SLPAs in a school or clinic based setting. The entire program is ONLINE.

Projected Timeline:
The cohort associated with this application pool would start coursework Winter 2010 term. The projected completion date for the 45 credits in Speech-Language Pathology Assistant program credits is Fall 2011. Students will register for the courses outlined in the attached chart per term. Students will continue with their cohort throughout the entire program. Students are expected to follow the coursework outline of 6 credits ( 2 courses) per term through the entire program.
Applicants would be required to submit a complete SLPA program application packet. This packet is available on the SLPA program website.
Application deadline to be considered for this cohort is November 1, 2009.

Projected Costs:
The certificate program consists of 45 credits- 15 classes at 3 credits each. Currently, tuition is $70 per credit.
A 3 credit course is $284 ($210 tuition, $24 universal fee, $50 online fee)
Tuition cost to complete the 45 credit certificate program: $4260.
Book costs are estimated at $950 for the 45 credit program.

Total tuition and book cost: $5210

Certificate of Completion in SLPAStudents may earn a Certificate of Completion by successfully completing these 45 required credit hours with a grade of C or better in all courses. Applicants working toward a Certificate of Completion would have already completed a minimum of 45 general education credits (30 semester credits), or have earned a prior degree in another discipline.Program Coursework:ED 229: Learning and Development ED 130: Comprehensive Classroom ManagementED 169: Overview of Students with Special NeedsED 258: Multicultural EducationSLP180: Survey of Speech and LanguageDisordersSLP181: Phonetics for LanguageSLP182: Intervention Strategies for SLP AssistantsSLP183: Introduction to Language DevelopmentSLP184: Language TherapySLP185: Anatomy of Speech, Language and HearingSLP186: Speech Intervention in Children, Adolescents and AdultsSLP187: Clinical Documentation and Materials ManagementSLP188: Communication Disorders in Low Incidence PopulationsSLP189: SLPA Practicum ISLP190: SLP Practicum II

Associate of Applied Science DegreeStudents may earn a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Speech Language Pathology Assisting by successfully completing 90 credit hours (45 credits for the Certificate, and 45 general education requirements) with a grade of C or better in all courses.

Estimated costs for students who complete the requirements for an AAS degree: Tuition: $6300, Universal Fees: $720, Online fees: $1050, Books, $1,900.Total Estimated Tuition and Book Costs: $9970

In addition to the 45 credit SLPA program, students earning an AAS degree in Speech Language Pathology Assisting must complete the following general education requirements:

Writing- WR 121 or higher,3 credits
Math- Math 70 or higher, 4 credits
Computer Literacy -CA 100 or CS 101 or higher,3 credits
Speech - SP 100 or higher,3 credits
Physical Education or Health - 3 credits
Humanities/Fine Arts - 9 credits
Social Science - 12 credits
Science - 8 credits

Requirements for Certification with the Oregon Board of Examiners for Speech Language Pathology and Audiology.

In the State of Oregon, a person performing or acting in the capacity of an SLPA, must be licensed through the Oregon Board of Examiners for Speech Pathology and Audiology.

In order for an applicant to be eligible to apply for Certification as an SLPA with the Oregon Board of Examiners for Speech Pathology and Audiology, the applicant must submit the following:
1. Transcripts showing 45 credits in speech-pathology technical coursework.
2. Transcripts showing 45 credits in general education credits.
3. Proof of 100 clinical interaction hours collected via practicum.
4. Competency Skills Checklist completed during practicum.

I have had some experience with districts and students who were unclear about the general education credit requirement for certification. I would recommend that you screen your applicants to determine if they have already completed the general education requirement

(Through previous college credit or an earned degree). Doing this may help you to better plan for the student’s estimated completion date and eligibility for certification.

What to Expect from the SLPA Coursework
The SLPA program is an academic program by design. The coursework is rigorous, but not impossible by any means. However, in the past, students have thought of the program along the lines of “in-service training” versus a college level academic program. This is not the case. It is important for students to realize that the coursework will require students to read college level textbooks, complete assignments, interact online with the class in discussion, and complete exams and projects measuring technical skill and knowledge mastery.
The program has been designed especially for students who typically have a full time job and outside responsibilities such as a family. The 6 credit load per term seems to be a good balance with these considerations for most students. However, students must of course make time to study and complete coursework requirements. The SLPA program is based on teaching technical skills in speech-language pathology and speech and language therapy. The program requires students to do observational, hands on learning via projects and portfolios for the most part. There are not many typical exams in the program coursework. The students are asked to demonstrate application of the skills and knowledge learned in a course through a project or demonstration.
Online Courses:
There is not a “set time” for students to be online. Each course has its own website. A typical online class in the SLPA program runs on a 7 day cycle, usually midweek day to midweek day always including a weekend for work completion. There are opportunities for online chats, those are pre-scheduled and usually take place in the evenings as most students work or have daytime responsibilities. For example, a course might start the weekly lecture on a Tuesday, with lecture, reading assignment, and class assignment posted on that day. The due date for completion of those items is the following Monday or Tuesday so the student has a weekend as well as weekdays to complete the requirements. Students are also expected to participate in online discussions or postings during that week, but there are not set times for that to occur, and the website for the class is available 24/7.

Program Website:

AshleyNorthamM.S.CCC-SLP
Speech-LanguagePathologist
ChemeketaCommunity College
Coordinator, SLPA Program
ashley.
503.589.7815 office
503.589.7897 fax

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