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The University recently added the Post-baccalaureate Program in Health Sciences - Speech-Language Pathology Track, designed to prepare students to excel academically and professionally by providing a rigorous, holistic and comprehensive experience that will establish a foundation necessary for their success in the field of Speech-Language Pathology. 

Students who complete the Speech-Language Pathology Track are eligible to pursue two career options:

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA)
What is an SLPA?
Speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) are support personnel who, following academic coursework, fieldwork, and on-the-job training, perform tasks prescribed, directed, and supervised by ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association). Job tasks may include:
  • Providing therapy services
  • Preparing for a session
  • Sharing information with patients, their families, or staff
  • Performing administrative tasks
  • Engaging in prevention activities
For more information about the SLPA scope of practice and supervision requirements, visit  ASHA’s SLPA page.

What education and training is required to become an SLPA?
There are three pathways to become an ASHA certified SLPA;  requirements can also vary by state. In general, a bachelor’s degree and specific content courses are often required. In addition, ASHA requires the following:
  • Completion of ASHA’s Online Assistant Education Modules or academic equivalent
  • Completion of prerequisite courses in ethics, universal safety precautions, and patient confidentiality
  • Completion of the clinical field work requirement (minimum of 100 hours)
  • A passing score on the SLPA national exam

How can the Post-baccalaureate Program Speech-Language Pathology Track help me become an SLPA?
The Speech-Language Pathology Track provides students with all of the necessary content-specific coursework required to become an SLPA. Completion of SLPA Practicum 1 and 2 fulfills the academic equivalent of the ASHA Assistant Modules, the prerequisite courses, the clinical field work requirement, and prepares students to take the SLPA national exam.

Students with a bachelor’s degree who would like to pursue a career as an SLPA are encouraged to apply!
Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)
What is an SLP?
Speech-language pathologists are health care professionals who identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems as well as swallowing disorders (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association). They provide services to clients with disorders in the following areas:
  • Speech disorders, including articulation problems, fluency (e.g., stuttering) disorders, and voice problems
  • Language disorders, including receptive/expressive language, spoken and written language, and social/pragmatic language
  • Swallowing disorders, including pediatric and adult feeding disorders
  • Cognitive disorders, including dementia
For more information about the SLP scope of practice and career options, visit ASHA’s SLP Careers page.

What education and training is required to become an SLP?
Becoming an ASHA certified SLP requires a master’s degree from a program that has been accredited by ASHA’s Council for Academic Accreditation (CAA). This typically requires two years of full-time study, including academic coursework and clinical practicum experiences (minimum of 400 hours). In addition, ASHA requires the following:
  •  A passing score on the national Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology
  • Completion of a Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellowship

How can the Post-baccalaureate Program Speech-Language Pathology Track help me become an SLP?
The Speech-Language Pathology Track provides all of the content-specific coursework that CAA accredited graduate programs require for admission. Required observation hours (25) are also integrated into the program. In addition, completion of SLPA Practicum 1 gives students an opportunity to gain optional clinical experience and clock hours at the undergraduate level.

Students with a bachelor’s degree who are in need of SLP prerequisites in order to pursue graduate studies are encouraged to apply! 

What sets our program apart?

  • Observation hours in a variety of settings. Observation hours are scheduled according to your course content and professional interests.
  • On-campus clinical experience. All students can earn clinical clock hours at the Speech-Language Institute. In addition, off-campus experiences are available for those seeking SLPA certification.
  • Individualized attention. Classes are small and held primarily face-to-face. You will also be assigned an SLP mentor to help you reach your academic and professional goals.
  • Interprofessional experiences. The SLP track includes interdisciplinary courses with students from the Health Sciences track and opportunities to observe at Salus' clinics.
  • SLP graduate program acceptance. Students accepted into the Post-Baccalaureate Program SLP Track with an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher from their undergraduate institution will be automatically accepted into the SLP graduate program upon completion of the PBP SLP Track certificate, given the following conditions are met:
    • Maintain an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher in the PBP coursework
    • Earn a grade of "A-" or higher in Intro to Patient Care 1 & 2

Have additional questions? Contact the SLP Track Coordinator:
Kimberly A. Cafarella, MS, CCC-SLP
kcafarella@salus.edu