Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) offers an online Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) program, which is the state’s first and only program of its kind. The flexible program allows students to complete clinical experiences near their residences without having to relocate for their degree. Graduates are prepared to work with children and adults who are experiencing communication delays and disorders under the supervision of a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist (SLP).
The SLPA program requires the completion of 61 credit hours and is designed to be completed in two years, or five semesters. OCCC graduated its first class of SLPAs in 2013 and graduates have gone on to work in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes and private practice clinics. There are 18 students in the current cohort who will graduate in spring 2020.
“My goal is to make the OCCC SLPA program the premier online SLPA program in the U.S.,†says Program Director Sarah Baker. “We want to continue to attract students from areas in rural Oklahoma with critical shortages of speech-language providers.â€
Upon completion of the program, students earn an associate in applied science degree which allows them to apply for state licensure with the Oklahoma Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists. In 2020, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is implementing an Assistant Certification Program with a certification exam. The certification process will establish nationwide standards for SLPAs.
Students must apply and be admitted to OCCC in order to apply for the SLPA program. Courses are taught by experienced faculty who are experts in the field of speech-language pathology. To learn more, visit www.occc.edu/slpa.com.