Minimum of 61 credit hours
Oklahoma City Community College offers the first and only speech-language pathology
assistant (SLPA) program. If you are interested in working with clients or students
who are experiencing communication delays and disorders, then this field of study
is for you. Speech-language pathology assistants work in public schools and healthcare
settings. Speech-language pathology assistants are prepared to work with licensed
speech-language pathologists. Because there is a shortage of speech-language pathologists
in Oklahoma, and the numbers of children and adults needing communication services
are continuing to rise, the need for SLPAs is also increasing. OCCC SLPA graduates
are qualified to apply for a license from the Oklahoma Board of Examiners for Speech-Language
Pathology and Audiology (OBESPA) and a teaching credential for practice from the Oklahoma
State Department of Education (OSDE). To apply for the SLPA program you must complete
a two-part process. First, you must apply to the college to be an OCCC student. Secondly,
you must apply to the SLPA program. Applications may be found online and are available February
of each year. The deadline to submit your application is the first Friday in June.
Applicants who are accepted begin program studies in August. Special application requirements
and procedures must be followed. Students who are accepted into the program are selected
based on a preferential point system.
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Type | Min GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | ||||
| SLPA 1013 | Foundations of Speech-Language | 3 | Major | C |
| SLPA 1033 | Professional Issues for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants | 3 | Major | C |
| SCL 1001 | Success in College and Life | 1 | Life Skills | |
| Term 2 | ||||
| SLPA 1063 | Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism | 3 | Major | C |
| ENGL 1113 | English Composition I | 3 | Gen Ed | |
| Term 3 | ||||
| SLPA 1023 | Phonetics | 3 | Major | C |
| SLPA 1053 | Language Disorders in the Exceptional Child | 3 | Major | C |
| Term 4 | ||||
| SLPA 1043 | Introduction to Speech Sound Disorders | 3 | Major | C |
| ENGL 1213 | English Composition II | 3 | Gen Ed | |
| HIST 1483 | U.S. History to 1877 | OR | Gen Ed | |
| HIST 1493 | U.S. History 1877 to Present | 3 | Gen Ed | |
| Term 5 | ||||
| SLPA 1073 | School Issues for the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant | 3 | Major | C |
| SLPA 1083 | Instructional Procedures in Communication Disorders | 3 | Major | C |
| Term 6 | ||||
| SLPA 2043 | Adult Neurogenic Communication Disorders and Treatment | 3 | Major | C |
| SLPA 2033 | Clinical Experience I | 3* | Major | C |
| PSY 1113 | General Psychology | 3 | Gen Ed | |
| Term 7 | ||||
| SLPA 2023 | Autism | 3 | Major | C |
| SLPA 2033 | Clinical Experience I | * | Major | C |
| MATH 1503 | Contemporary Mathematics | OR | Gen Ed | |
| MATH 2013 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 | Gen Ed | |
| Term 8 | ||||
| SLPA 2053 | Augmentative Communication | 3 | Major | C |
| SLPA 2063 | Clinical Experience II | 3* | Major | C |
| Term 9 | ||||
| SLPA 2013 | Medical Issues for the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant | 3 | Major | C |
| SLPA 2063 | Clinical Experience II | * | Major | C |
| POLSC 1113 | American Federal Government | 3 | Gen Ed | |
*16-week course offered during two 8-week terms
Major Courses: (42 Credit Hours) (C) SLPA 1013; (C) SLPA 1023; (C) SLPA 1033; (C)
SLPA 1043; (C) SLPA 1053; (C) SLPA 1063; (C) SLPA 1073; (C) SLPA 1083; (C) SLPA 2013;
(C) SLPA 2023; (C) SLPA 2033; (C) SLPA 2043; (C) SLPA 2053; (C) SLPA 2063 All major courses require a minimum of a “C” grade.
General Education Courses: (18 Credit Hours) English: ENGL 1113; ENGL 1213; History:
HIST 1483 or HIST 1493; Mathematics: MATH 1503 OR MATH 2013; Political Science: POLSC
1113; Social Sciences: PSY 1113
Life Skills Courses: (1 credit hour) Life Skills: SCL 1001
Support Courses: NONE
Notes: This Technical and Occupational program is designed to prepare students to
enter the job force following completion. See Technical and Occupational Programs
in the general information section of the catalog.
All Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) courses are offered online only. An
on-campus two (2) day orientation prior to the first semester of the program is required.
Students are obligated to meet a minimum of 25 observation hours and 100 direct clinical
hours that will require clinical site participation. Other on-campus hands-on clinical
activities will be offered periodically throughout the program sequence.Â
For the application procedure please see our web page:Â http://www.occc.edu/health/slpa.html ++Special Admissions Procedures: All Health Professions students are required to submit
a nationwide background and pre-placement drug testing prior to clinical/fieldwork.
More information will be distributed upon acceptance into your respected program.
These courses have a clinical component that requires purchase of medical liability
insurance, a clinical uniform (if applicable) and a physical (with completed health
packet).Â
The student will write well-developed compositions which demonstrate the principles of unity, coherence, and organization and which contain specific details and vivid language. The students will locate library material and incorporate researched materials into compositions.
Prerequisites: ENGL 0203, adequate placement score, or by meeting determined placement measures
Credits: 3
In this advanced writing course, students will create essays that explore and evaluate a variety of issues and perspectives suggested by fiction, poetry, drama, essays, and other types of cultural texts. Students will refine and augment the writing techniques they learned in ENGL 1113 or ENGL 1103 to develop well- reasoned, well-structured arguments in a clear, fluid, and engaging prose style.
Prerequisites: ENGL 1103 or ENGL 1113 taken within the last year, with strong encouragement for immediate continuation.
Credits: 3
After analyzing events in American history from 1400 to 1877 in such areas as revolution, geographic and social mobility, political reform, government precedents and war, students will be able to identify patterns of present day mobility, describe governmental operations in their society and help resolve conflict in society based on the student’s search for change, precedents, and conflict in the American past. A general education requirement.
Prerequisites: ENGL 0203, adequate placement score, or by meeting determined placement measures
Credits: 3
After analyzing events in American history from 1877 to the present in such areas as geographic and social mobility, political reform, government precedents and war, students will be able to identify patterns of present day mobility, describe governmental operations in their society and help resolve conflict in society based on the student’s search for change, precedents, and conflict in the American past. A general education requirement.
Prerequisites: ENGL 0203, adequate placement score, or by meeting determined placement measures
Credits: 3
A study of the mathematics needed for critical evaluation of quantitative information and arguments (including logic, critical appraisal of graphs and tables); use of simple mathematical models, and an introduction to elementary statistics.
Prerequisites: MATH 0313 or adequate math placement. Pre or Co-requisite ENGL 0203
Credits: 3
The student will solve problems applying the concepts of random sampling, elementary probability, testing hypotheses, descriptive measures, chi-square, regression and correlation, and analysis of variance.
Prerequisites: MATH 0313 or adequate math placement; ENGL 0203, adequate placement score, or by meeting determined placement measures
Credits: 3
A study of the principles, structure, processes and functions of the United States federal government.
Prerequisites: ENGL 0203, adequate placement score, or by meeting determined placement measures
Credits: 3
A survey of the major areas of study in psychology such as motivation, learning, physiology, personality, social psychology, abnormal behavior, perception, memory, cognition/thought, and treatment.
Prerequisites: ENGL 0203, adequate placement score, or by meeting determined placement measures
Credits: 3
Through study, online discussion and participation, the student will examine the evolution and acquisition of language from a social/interactional perspective. The course will focus on the acquisition of speech and language by children and adults, including the development of phonological, semantic, syntactic, and pragmatic aspects of linguistic competence. Students in this class will also explore changes that can occur during the life-span, as well as diversities of accent and dialect.
Prerequisites: Satisfied through completion of the health profession application process
Credits: 3
Through study, online discussion and participation, the student will explore phonetics, the scientific study of speech. Students will be introduced to the International Phonetic Alphabet and develop skills in the recognition, production and transcription of the sounds of the world’s languages. The course will train students to produce detailed phonetic transcriptions of American English. The student will also explore aspects of phonology. Finally, regional varieties of English and delays/disorders of the speech mechanism will be explored. This course satisfies the computer proficiency requirement.
Prerequisites: SLPA 1063
Credits: 3
Through study, online discussion and participation, the student will understand and demonstrate the application of concepts of professional ethics and issues, review regulations and requirements for professional practice for speech-language pathology assistants, and discuss cultural considerations for studying and treating communication sciences and disorders.
Prerequisites: Satisfied through completion of the health profession application process
Credits: 3
Through study, online discussion and participation, the student will understand and demonstrate concepts related to disorders of the articulatory and phonological aspects of communication. The course will provide foundational information in phonetics, phonology, and language development, and allow the student opportunities to gain understanding and knowledge of the principles used in the treatment of articulation disorders.
Prerequisites: SLPA 1013, SLPA 1023
Credits: 3
Through study, online discussion and participation, the student will develop an understanding of the remediation of language disorders in children and adults who demonstrate exceptionalities. The course will provide emphasis on aspects of normal language development and communication, language disorders, and language intervention. Populations that will be explored in this class include, but are not limited to toddlers and preschoolers, children with learning disabilities, adolescents with language impairment, children with Down syndrome, children with auditory impairments, and children with Autism. Along with language development this course will examine language differences and language disorders in persons from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Prerequisites: SLPA 1013, SLPA 1033
Credits: 3
Through study, online discussion and participation, the student will consider specific theory and mechanisms directly related to the speech and hearing mechanism. Students in this class will explore concepts related to the study of the anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanisms including; terminology, structure and function of the skeletal frameworks for respiration, phonation, articulation, swallowing, and hearing. Finally, students will be introduced to concepts of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology which are related and interdependent to speech and language processing and production.
Prerequisites: SLPA 1013
Credits: 3
Through study, online discussion and participation, the student will demonstrate an understanding of issues and concepts specific to SLPAs in the public school. Topics of interest for this class include specific target populations, record keeping, billing, Individual Educational Programs (IEP), time management and scheduling, and roles and responsibilities.
Prerequisites: SLPA 1043, SLPA 1053
Credits: 3
Through study, online discussion and participation, the student will understand and demonstrate hands-on core skills related to clinical and teaching skills development in the practice of speech-language pathology. When you have completed this course you should be able to apply fundamental therapeutic procedures to speech-language pathology treatment sessions.
Prerequisites: SLPA 1043, SLPA 1053
Credits: 3
Through study, online discussion and participation, the student will demonstrate an understanding of issues and concepts specific to SLPAs in medical settings. Students will understand and demonstrate conceptual knowledge of dysphagia as well as implications and strategies of dysphagia management. Additional topics of interest for this class include medical terminology, specific target populations, record keeping, charting, billing, time management, scheduling, roles and responsibilities, outcome measures, ethics specific to healthcare settings, and end of life feeding issues.
Prerequisites: SLPA 2043
Credits: 3
Through study, online discussion and participation, the student will become familiar with current theories and scientific evidence on the nature and etiology of autism. Best practices in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) will be examined. Additionally, students will become familiar with inclusive practices, family concerns, multicultural issues, and community resources as they impact the lives of children and adults with ASD.
Prerequisites: SLPA 1083
Credits: 3
Through clinical site participation, the student will engage in supervised clinical training in the provision of speech and language services for children and adults. Clinical content for this course will include guided practice in the management and treatment of speech and language delays and disorders across the lifespan. Students will be supervised by licensed SLPs approved or trained by OCCC. Placements for Clinical Experience I will be made near the student’s residence.
Prerequisites: SLPA 1073, SLPA 1083
Credits: 3
Through study, online discussion and participation, the student will examine adult neurogenic communication disorders and treatment for use by speech-language pathology assistants in medical settings. Students will identify and define terminology and concepts of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology which are related and interdependent to speech and language processing and production. This course also examines aphasia, apraxia of speech, and the dysarthrias typically seen in adults. Cognitive disorders, as seen in traumatic brain injuries (TBI), as well as adult dysphagia issues will be discussed.
Prerequisites: SLPA 1013, SLPA 1033, SLPA 1063
Credits: 3
Through study, online discussion and participation, the student will demonstrate understanding and knowledge of concepts, strategies, techniques, and issues surrounding augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). AAC strategies for use with children and adults will be a focus of this class. Hands-on experience with various methods of AAC strategies and devices will provide students with a foundation for therapies utilizing AAC principles for children and adult populations.
Prerequisites: SLPA 2023
Credits: 3
Through clinical site participation, the student will engage in supervised clinical training in the provision of speech and language services for children and adults. Clinical content for this course will include guided practice in the management and treatment of speech and language delays and disorders across the lifespan. Students will be supervised by licensed SLPs approved or trained by OCCC. Placements for Clinical Experience II will be made near the student’s residence.
Prerequisites: SLPA 2033
Credits: 3
Students will learn best practices for academic, career, and personal success. Students will discover their individual strengths, interests, and values to create a personalized plan; select and utilize resources that are applicable to their growth and success; and engage as active and responsible members of the academic community. This course should be taken during a student’s first semester of college work at Oklahoma City Community College and is a required course in degree plans to satisfy the Life Skills requirement.
Prerequisites: ENGL 0106 or adequate reading/writing assessment scores
Credits: 1
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7777 South May Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK
73159-4444
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