Speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) work with supervising licensed and ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to help children with communication disorders.

Chico State’s Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Licensure Pathway is an intensive 10-unit, postbaccalaureate licensure pathway that provides students with the clinical training and supervised fieldwork experience they need to apply for speech-language pathology assistant licensure.

The program consists of two courses: a three-unit online course (CMSD 500) in fall that addresses the scope of practice and ethical standards for SLPAs followed by a seven-unit, spring field experience (CMDS 501) in the student's own community/region. The field experience allows SLPA students to work with community speech-language pathologists in a variety of settings to complete the required, supervised direct patient contact hours for California State SLPA licensure.

Program Overview:

• The synchronous online course will take place in fall.
• 275-hour field experience takes place during the spring term.

Eligibility

As specified by the California state licensing board, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology or communication disorders, with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Program Dates

Our next program will begin in fall 2027. If you'd like to be notified about future information session and application dates, please let us know using the form to the right.

Coursework

CMSD 500: Roles & Responsibilities of the Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant      

Description: This online course covers the roles and responsibilities of the speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA). Students who complete this course will learn about the scope of practice of the SLPA, ethical considerations, liability issues, educational and training requirements for the SLPA, supervision of the SLPA, state and federal laws and regulations, and reimbursement.

Dates: August–December, 2027
Live online meetings will be held weekly.

CMSD 501: Field Experience – Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant

Description: Students will complete a 275-hour field experience, with a minimum of 100 direct client contact hours necessary to effectively work as a licensed speech-language pathologist assistant (SLPA). The field experience will expose students to clinical documentation, staffing responsibilities (i.e., attending IEP meetings, team conferences, and staff meetings), lesson planning, therapy preparation, and therapy delivery under the supervision of a licensed SLP supervisor.

Successful completion of this course (and CMSD 500) will allow the student to apply for a California SLPA license.

Eligibility: Students who have successfully completed CMSD 500 and are ready to participate in the field experience necessary to attain a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) license in the state of California.

Dates: January–May, 2028
Acceptance into the program required for registration.