Speech-Language Pathology Assistants
DEAR SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT (SLPA) APPLICANTS~
Update November 30, 2020:
The SLP Assistant program is currently operating remotely due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation. Campus courses will continue to be held online for the Spring 2021 semester, although some clinical placements may be conducted on-site as permitted by the college, regional, and state authorities.
Due to the fluctuating mandates and requirements of the COVID-19 situation, the program will be delaying the next application deadline from April 1, 2021 to October 1, 2021. Accepted applicants will be notified in November 2021 and given two weeks to accept the offer of admission. Students who accept the offer of admission would begin the Spring 2022 cohort, with a projected completion in Spring 2023. The tentative sequence of classes is as follows:
Spring 2022: SLP 108 & SLP 125
Fall 2022: SLP 235 & SLP 241
Spring 2023: SLP 230 & SLP 246
Application forms will be available in April 2021; students will be able to submit applications during specific dates as outlined on the application forms. The current courses are required prior to admission (with a minimum 2.5 GPA for these courses): A&P 120, ASL 110, CD 110, CD 139, CDSE 150, SLP 101, SLP 105, and reading, writing, & math proficiencies. Please see SLPA degree requirements for more information on course requirements. Applicants with Bachelor degrees in Speech-Language Pathology or Communication Disorders may submit the equivalent of BOTH Neuroanatomy AND Anatomy & Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism in lieu of A&P 120.
Students who began the program under the 'open enrollment' curriculum prior to Fall 2019 are eligible to continue the program if they have maintained continuous enrollment in the college, successfully completed the prerequisite coursework, AND indicate their interest in continuing the program through submitting an application to the program. Students should be advised that prerequisites have changed for advanced coursework and admittance to the Associate in Science degree program is now required; current prerequisites are listed in the 2020-2021 college catalog. Any questions about this should be addressed directly to the SLPA department chair, Susan McDonald, at smcdonald@cerritos.edu.
The following is a list of courses that will be offered in the Spring 2021 semester:
SLP 101 (ONLINE): Introduction to Communication Disorders (3 units)
SLP 105 (ONLINE): Speech and Language Development (3 units)
Associate's degree coursework (admittance to program required):
SLP 235 (prerequisite: SLP 125): Adult Disorders and Treatment (5 units-lecture & lab) REMOTE
SLP 241 (prerequisites: SLP 108 & SLP 125): Clinical Experience I (2.5 units-lecture & TBA/lab hours) REMOTE
Please contact SLPA Department Chair Susan McDonald with any questions at smcdonald@cerritos.edu. We appreciate your understanding and patience during this evolving situation.
Students who have questions about attending live class meetings should see the Canvas course or contact their instructor for more specific information.
A Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) is a skilled technical worker who performs speech and language therapy, and related clinical tasks, under the direction of a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). Successful completion of the degree requirements leads to eligibility for state licensure as a SLPA from the California Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers’ Board. Licensed SLPAs have the opportunity to apply for work in settings such as: in-home health; public, non-public, and charter schools; and, medical settings such as rehabilitation centers and private clinics. The SLPA program provides the following options for students who are embarking on a career in communicative disorders:
- Speech-Language Pathology Aide Certificate (19 units)
- Associate of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (60 units which includes 42.5 units of degree-specific coursework)
- Introductory coursework (SLP 101 and SLP 105) for students transferring to a Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology
The Cerritos College Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) Program is an accredited program by the California Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers (SLPAHAD) Licensing Board.
For more information, questions and/or concerns, please contact by E-mail or by phone:
Susan McDonald, M.S., CCC-SLP
Department Chair and Faculty, SLPA Program
Stay Connected