Let's Speech About It

a website that shares one student's experience to another

About Me

Contact me at ljs352@nau.edu

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What is Speech-Language Pathology? Speech-Language Pathology is a healthcare field in which Speech Language Pathologists (SLP), also known as “Speech Therapists,” work with individuals with speech and language differences and disorders, language, voice, swallowing, and fluency disorders. This may include assisting patients with their cognitive or social communication as well.

What differentiates it from Audiology?

• Audiology is the study of hearing function. Audiologists are specialized doctors who test, diagnose, and treat patients with hearing impairments, hearing loss, and vestibular (balance) disorders. This may include working with Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to work on one’s mechanics of speech before or after receiving service (getting fit with hearing aids, doing hearing therapy, speech reading, or counseling).
• However, SLPs can not diagnose a hearing impairment or hearing loss.
• SLPs can contribute to the identification, screening, assessment, and rehabilitation of individuals with hearing loss.

What’s the difference between a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and a Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant (SLPA)?

• Scope of Practice for SLP
  
• Asses, diagnose, prevent, and treat
  
• Provide rehabilitation for deaf or hard of hearing individuals
  
• Provide augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems
  
• Improve individuals general way of speaking
  
• Accent modification
  
• Voice modification when transitioning from one gender to the other
  
• Identify speech-learning impairments for young children up to late adolescence
  
• Participate in interventions such as practicing reading and swallowing tasks with the individual
  
• Aid and conduct clinical tasks such as leading diagnostic evaluations, screenings, and writing reports
  
• Consulate with other team members, whether they are school-literacy teams (in the school setting) or other medical staff (in the medical setting).
  
• Scope of Practice for SLPA (insert blueprint)
  
• Assist with treatment
  
• Serve as an interpreter for evaluations
  
• Do paperwork/create client files
  
• taking/maintaining daily notes
  
• Creating activities to run by SLP
  
• Carry out administration tasks
  
• Make scheduling calls to families
  
• Collect date
  

*NOTE: Two examples of activities an SLP or SLPA can do to maintain their professional competence is by staying in their scope of practice. For instance, if an SLP specializes in speech and swallowing mechanisms, they should not provide service to a patient who has hearing and language delays. Another example, is that an SLP should not require their professional staff, say their SLPA, to perform services or conduct research that exceeds the staff member's competence. In this case, sticking with the speech and swallowing SLP, this SLP should not advise an SLPA to conduct a hearing test as it is not in either ones' scope of practice

About Speech-Language Pathology

NAU’s Bachelor's Degree

01

What the major is called at NAU (and at many other institutions)

• B.S. in Communication Disorders and Sciences
  

02

Recommended credits: 15 credits

• Individuals usually take 16-18 their first two years and taper off and end with 12 credits by their last year, even with a minor
  
• Visit your course progression plan or your Academic Advisement Report in LOUIE to view what classes you should take and when
• Complete 6 units of Biology and Statistics
  
• Select 4 units of Physical Science elective
• Select 3 units of Social/Behavioral Science Elective
• CSD 191: Communication Disorders in Society
• CSD 251: Anatomy/Physiology of Speech and Swallowing
• CSD 350: Communication Development in Children
• CSD 352: Phonetics
• CSD 375: Speech Science
• CSD 376: Hearing Science
• CSD 405: Neuro Foundation of speech/language/hearing
• CSD 454: Intro to Clinical Practice of Communication Disorders
• CSD 456: Intro to Audiology
• ENG 308: Introduction to Linguistics
  
• CSD 300W: Junior Writing Requirement - Applied Ethics in Health Care:
• CSD 455C: Capstone in CSD
  

"NAU CSD Department"

*NOTE: Universities will accept people in the SLP major for masters but if you are out of the communication disorders major, you will need to take some extra classes and clinical hours to meet the prerequisites

03

SLPA Certificate - for those who are not in the CSD major but still may pursue a career in the future

• NAU’s certificate program meets the minimum speech-language pathology technical coursework requirements required for licensure in Arizona
  
• Shows completion of coursework
  
• Still have to get licensed in the desired state you work in
  
• Courses offered
  
• CSD 191: Communication Disorders in Society
  
• CSD 251: Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Swallowing
  
• CSD 350: Communication Development in Children
  
• CSD 352: Phonetics
  
• CSD 390: SLPA Professional Issues
  
• CSD 391: SLPA Clinical Skills
  
• CSD 454: Introduction to Clinical Practice in Communication Disorders
  
• CSD 460 (elective): Clinical Interaction in SLP
  

04

Timeline for applying for graduate school

• Start Applying as early as August your junior year and late as winter break
  
• Ask to be on the list for Letters of Recommendation per professor the year before and again Oct/Nov of the year you're applying
  
• their lists fill up quickly and you do not want a hold on a letter to be the reason you don’t submit your application
  
• Asking to receive the letter in October the year you’re applying is also ok
  
• Possibly consider the Accelerated track - which allows you to obtain your master's degree while in your undergrad all in 5 years
  
• Requirements:
  
• Must be currently attending Flagstaff Mountain Campus, online students are permitted to apply
  
• Must be a current NAU CSD undergraduate student
  
• Overall undergraduate G.P.A. of 3.5 overall GPA at the time of application to the program
  
• CSD G.P.A. of 3.8
  
• Completion of at least 60 undergraduate credits (around Sophomore year)
  
• At least 4 CSD prerequisite courses must be completed, or in progress, at the time of application to the program
  
• The following foundational prerequisite courses must be completed, or in progress at the time of application to the program: BIO 181 (3 units); CHM 130, 151 or PHY 111 (3 units); Science lab* (1 unit); STA 270 (3 units); PSY 101, SOC 101, or ANT 101 (3 units)
  
• A Letter of Intent submitted by December 31st of Year 2 submitted to Dr. Mary Harmon (Mary.Harmon@nau.edu) at the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
  
• 2 Letters of Recommendation from CSD academic professors must be submitted by May 1st of Year 2 to Dr. Mary Harmon (Mary.Harmon@nau.edu) at the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
  
• If approved by the CSD AP academic advisors (Dr. Mary Harmon and Dr. Sandy Stewart), the NAU application must be submitted by January 15th of Year 3
  
• * Accelerated students are required to complete an application through CSDCAS
  
• Completion of 6-8 CSD prerequisite courses (CSD 191, CSD 251, CSD 350, CSD 352, CSD 375, CSD 376, CSD 405, CSD 456) will be completed in-person on the Flagstaff Mountain Campus throughout program
  
• Contact Information
  
• Dr. Mary Harmon mary.harmon@nau.edu
  
• Associate Professor
  
• Accelerated Program Advisor
  
• Website: General overview of Communication Sciences and Disorders Program
  
• Email: speech@nau.edu
  
• Campus Office: Building 66, Room 302
  
• Phone: 928-523-2969
  
• Mailing Address:
  
• Northern Arizona University
  
• Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
  
• PO Box 15045
  
• Flagstaff, AZ 86011
  

05

Suggested electives/classes to take

• CSD 460 - Clinical Interaction In Speech-language Pathology And Audiology
  
• Requires a flexible schedule
  
• Contact Dr. Meeks (Meeks@nau.edu) at least one semester in advance
  
• Will receive the 100 clocked clinical hours needed for SLPA certificate
  
• See Q&A area for more info
  
• *CSD 390 - SLPA Clinical Skills (great for those considering to be an SLPA and just in general to better understand their scope of practice)
  
• *CSD 391 - SLPA Professional Issues
  
• DIS 201 - Introduction To Disability
  
• Any social work class
  
• Any intro education class
  

06

Suggested Minors (would suggest adding them by the end of sophomore year)

• Disability studies
  
• Psychology
  
• Sociology
  
• Social work
  

NAU’s Master's Degree

01

General Notes for applying to your Masters of Science in Clinical Speech Language Pathology

• CSD Program fees of $40 per credit taken while in our graduate program.
  
• Application Requirements
  
• Apply through CSDCAS
  
• Highly suggest only applying to certified programs only
  
• ASHA Ed find helps determine what schools you should apply to
  
• Apply to NAU (no essay questions required, just personal information)
  
• Applications due January 15th
  
• I applied 6 days before the due date and still got in
  
• Need 3-4 letters of recommendation
  
• Include volunteer work even from high school
  
• List all courses taken at community colleges
  
• Ensure to get these official transcripts sent early from the institution
  
• You can pay $75 for a professional to input all of the courses, course numbers, subject, and grade for each class and school onto CSDCAS application
  
• I did it without and did it just fine doing some each day
  

"NAU CSD Department"

*NOTE: List status as a freshman when noting the colleges you went to and took dual enrollment classes when uploading transcripts to CSDCAS

03

Full-Time Leveler Track

• For those who do not have a degree in CSD but want a masters in Speech-Language Pathology. You will obtain the prerequisites needed to take your graduate classes during this course
  
• Eligibility
  
• Have a bachelor’s degree.
  
• Have at least one 3-credit course in each of the following areas:
  
• Biological Sciences (i.e., biology, human anatomy and physiology, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, human genetics, veterinary science). Lab not required
  
• Physical Sciences (physics or chemistry). No longer allowed: Astronomy, archaeology, forestry, geology, earth and environmental science
  
• Social/Behavioral Sciences (psychology, sociology, anthropology or public health)
  
• Statistics (course with “statistics in the title”). Not allowed: Research methodology
  

04

Part-Time Summers Track

• A cost-effective way to work as an SLPA while obtaining your master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology by taking classes over the span of 3 summers and working during the school year
  
• Eligibility
  
• Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology (or its equivalent) or a Bachelor’s degree in an area other than Speech–Language Pathology
  
• An SLPA license or its equivalent in your state. You will need to provide this at the time of application
  
• A letter from your employer on letterhead that includes your job title and the hours worked per week. Employment of at least 20 hours/week as an SLPA or its equivalent is required
  
• Ability to provide a copy of a supervisor’s current ASHA membership card at the time of application
  

05

Accelerated BS to MS Track (check out Bachelor’s tab for more information)

• Currently enrolled in the BS program in CSD at NAU and want to complete your graduate degree while in undergrad? Well this is the degree for you! Get it done in 5 years!
  

06

Who Was Accepted in 2022

• Full-time: 52% of Junior/Senior applicants with at least a 3.43 GPA
  
• Part-time Summer: 89% of Junior/Senior applicants with at least a 3.33 GPA
  

07

Suggested ways on how to pay for graduate school

• Graduate Assistantships - pays for at least 50% of tuition (excluding any university and program fees) and you receive a stipend of $12-18k per year
• NAU non-academic or “at-large” graduate assistantships
  
• Academic Success Center Graduate Assistantship
  
• Campus Living Graduate Assistantships
  
• Fraternity and Sorority Life Graduate Assistantship
  
• Health Promotion SARV Graduate Assistantship
  
• Leadership and Engagement: Student Organizations Graduate Assistant
  
• Louie’s Cupboard Graduate Assistant Position
  
• Peer Jacks Graduate Assistant Job Description
  
• NAU teaching and research assistantships
  

*NOTE: For GA-ships only require a resume and cover letter for application and then an interview(s) take place…recommendation letters are recommended but they also may ask for them later in the interview process

• Tuition Waivers - scholarships that will pay for a student’s tuition
  
• Participate in the Full-time Levelers track
  
• Participate in the Summers Track Graduate Program
  
• Apply for Financial AID
  
• Apply for the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education - Allows for Western state residents to receive in-state tuition for graduate schools in Western states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, and Hawaii)Part-time Summer: 89% of Junior/Senior applicants with at least a 3.33 GPA
  
• WICHE Schools
  
• Audiology/ Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/ Pathologist
  
• University of Montana, Missoula
  
• University of Utah
  
• Washington State University Spokane
  
• Audiologist/Audiology
  
• University of Colorado Boulder
  
• University of Northern Colorado
  
• Idaho State University
  
• University of Montana, Missoula
  
• University of South Dakota
  
• Utah State University
  
• University of Utah
  
• Washington State University Spokane
  
• Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
  
• University of Montana, Missoula
• University of Hawaii at Manoa
• University of New Mexico
• University of North Dakota
• Minot State University
• University of South Dakota
• Speech-Language Pathology
  
• University of Colorado Boulder
  
• Metropolitan State University of Denver
  
• University of Northern Colorado
  
• Idaho State University
  
• University of Montana, Missoula
  
• Nevada State College
  
• University of New Mexico
  
• University of Utah
  
• Eastern Washington University
  
• University of Washington
  
• Washington State University Spokane
  

Educational Requirements

Academic Course Search

Undergrad Course Progression Plan

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

*NOTE: These are Questions and Answers I directly received from Dr. Meeks.

These questions are also in no specific order so please read through all of them and email me or Dr. Meeks with further questions if you have any.

Hope you find these helpful!

01

Are there any extra course I can take besides the one on the progression plan?

• "The only "extra" courses you would need to take before CSD 460 are CSD 390 and CSD 391. These would satisfy elective requirements."
  

02

Follow up Question: Are these courses required?

• "No. The two unique SLPA courses (CSD 390 and CSD 391) are optional for CSD majors. They are not part of the BS degree requirements. Many of our BS degree students are not on the "SLPA track" and therefore do not take these classes as part of their undergraduate program. They move straight into an MS program without becoming an SLPA. However, those students who are on the SLPA track are strongly encouraged to take these courses as electives since they address actual clinical skills (disorders and how to do therapy) that we do not address in our regular BS degree courses. Every state has different SLPA license requirements and some of our students are not required to complete the SLPA courses or participate in CSD 460 for their state license. California is a state that requires the clinical interaction as part of the BS degree for an SLPA license and therefore our California students must take CSD 390, CSD 391, and CSD 460 if they plan to apply for a California license."
  

03

Do undergraduates usually pursue the certificate during their regular coursework?

• "Yes. It is quite common for students to complete the 2 additional SLPA courses as electives during their BS degree. For many, it is an opportunity to gain elective credit in their field of choice (SLP/CSD) even if they don't plan to become an SLPA. It also opens the door for an SLPA license if they do not get accepted to graduate school or decide to work part-time as an SLPA during graduate school. Beginning fall 2020, students who are enrolled in the BS in CSD degree are not eligible to receive both the BS degree and SLPA certificate due to the fact that there are too many courses in common. However, our BS students achieve the same results by completing their full BS program plus CSD 390 and CSD 391."
  

04

Is this a separate program?

• "Yes and no. NAU offers an undergraduate certificate in SLPA for individuals who have already completed a degree in another field and are looking to transition to the role of SLPA. In Arizona, the SLPA certificate (21 credits) plus at least 40 general education credits associated with another degree will satisfy the educational requirements for an AZ license. The SLPA certificate (rather than the BS degree) is not sufficient for a license in many states. As previously mentioned, the State of California requires the full BS in CSD degree rather than a combination of our SLPA certificate plus courses in another major."
  

05

Will I be a licensed SLPA when I graduate without taking these classes?

• Not necessarily. Licensing is something that occurs after you graduate. You will need to apply for an SLPA license in your chosen state. Again, assuming you plan to return to California, you will need to complete the full BS degree, plus 390 and 391, as well as complete the CSD 460 clinical practicum to meet the requirements for that license. The State of California will not issue you a license without these classes. However, some other states will (such as Arizona) if you plan to work in one of those states.
  

06

Would waiving these pre-requisites be an option?

• "No. It is essential for students to complete all of the courses listed as prerequisites for CSD 460 before participating in a clinical practicum. As I mentioned previously, our regular BS in CSD degree does not prepare students to be SLPAs. It is very important for students to complete CSD 390, CSD 391, and CSD 454 (especially the last two listed) before they are placed in front of clients providing therapy. We want our students to have a successful clinical experience and this includes completion of the required courses before treating clients. It looks like the only courses you will still need to take after the spring are CSD 390 and CSD 391. These are offered online in the summer. Depending on your availability, I would suggest completing these two courses in the summer so you are eligible for clinical interaction (CSD 460) in the fall or summer. However, keep in mind that CSD 460 requires students to be VERY flexible and I advise taking mostly online courses while participating in CSD 460. This will increase your opportunity for a clinical placement. Students should plan on 1.5-2 full days per week for the clinical experience."
  

07

*What are the requirements to take CSD 460?

• "You will note in the recording I shared that students will need to begin working with me on plans for CSD 460 at least a full term (beginning of spring for summer, beginning of fall for spring, etc.) before they plan to participate in CSD 460 so we can go over the process for securing a clinical site. Please keep this in mind if you decide you want to participate in CSD 460 fall or spring of next year."
  

08

Can I get a BS in CSD and complete the SLPA certificate together?

• "No. While my analogy is not completely accurate, the easiest way to explain is to compare the certificate to a minor. (The certificate is more like a degree than a minor, but let's use the analogy.) A student could not earn a BS degree in psychology and minor in psychology at the same time because they would be using many of the same courses for both. That is the same case with the BS and SLPA certificate. As far as the implications for a California license, a conferred certificate is irrelevant since the license requires a BS degree and not a certificate. Our California students (as well as most of our other students seeking an SLPA license in other states) must complete the full BS in CSD degree and take 390 and 391 as electives since these courses are SLPA-specific. The 390 and 391 courses, combined with other courses in the BS degree, are also prerequisites for students who want to participate in CSD 460. This includes students who want a California license. The State of California only cares about the BS in CSD degree plus 100 hours of university practicum (CSD 460). NAU requires the additional two SLPA courses 390 and 391 before you can take 460."
  

09

What should I do if I plan to go straight into graduate school and don’t know if I want to be an SLPA yet but also want to prepare for it?

• "If your plan is to go to graduate school directly after graduation and you are not sure you will ever work as an SLPA or where you might possibly be licensed then I suggest fitting in 390 and 391 while waiting on 460. I suggest you either take 390 and 391 this coming summer or fit them in with other courses over the next year. This way you have everything done in the event you decide you want or need to participate in 460. You can then apply to graduate school and get a much better idea of your future plans and where you will be, You may discover that you will be in a state for graduate school (such as Arizona) that does not require a formal course for an SLPA license. If it turns out that you want to work as an SLPA while in graduate school, and will be in a state that requires a formal practicum, then you could always participate in CSD 460 the summer after you graduate. We would just need a few months lead time to work on a clinical site. It is a simple process to graduate and then readmit as a non-degree student just for 460. We do it all the time. The key to making something like this happen is taking 390 and 391 along the way so fitting those in somewhere before you graduate would be important."
  

10

What I also learned:

• You will need to do a CFY (clinical fellowship year) for at least 9 months under a licensed certified SLP before I am allowed to practice on my own. This may include working in different settings during my master's program.
  
• I also learned that some of the exercises I will perform to build relationships, as an SLP in any setting, are asking how my patients are doing, working on problem-solving exercises and providing strategies for situations where they can’t remember things, teaching them how to best mitigate conflict, and how to best communicate with the patient’s spouse. This is important as most family members don’t know much about the disorder their family may have.
  

11

Some advice I received in classes:

• A general consensus of advice that I received was going into any program with an open mind to learning about new settings and assignments/assessments despite maybe already having my eyes set on one type. Each SLP also advised me to be comfortable with the unknowing of my scope of practice, and understanding that it is ok because I will learn about it later. Another point the SLPs noted was that going straight into a master's program right after undergrad might not be for everyone so maybe consider working as an assistant for a year to see if that’s what I want to do. Finally, each SLP noted how rewarding the job is and how it just takes finding your niche to do so, which I am excited to endure.
  

Let's Connect

Email: ljs352@nau.edu | LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-schmitt\