The certificate program is designed to address the critical shortage of qualified speech-language service providers across the U.S. Virgin Islands and beyond by equipping students with the foundational knowledge, technical skills, and supervised field experiences necessary to support speech-language pathologists in clinical, school, and community environments. Through coursework aligned with national standards established by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), students gain competencies in communication disorders, ethics, clinical documentation, cultural competence, and professional collaboration. Graduates will be eligible to pursue ASHA Assistant Certification and enter the workforce as Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs). This two-year program is offered online.
| Course Prefix & Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SLP 100 | Seminar in Speech-Language Pathology | 1 |
| SLP 110 | Anatomy & Physiology of Speech & Hearing Mechanism | 3 |
| SLP 120 | Introduction to Communication Disorders | 3 |
| SLP 130 | Introduction to Phonetics for Speech-Language Pathology | 3 |
| SLP 140 | Speech and Language Development | 3 |
| SLP 150 | Speech and Hearing Science | 3 |
| SLP 160 | Speech Sound Disorders | 3 |
| SLP 170 | Language Disorders | 3 |
| HIS 342 | History of the Virgin Islands | 3 |
| SLP 180 | ASHA Assistant Certification Exam Preparation | 1 |
| SLP 190 | Clinical Practicum I | 1 |
|
SLP 195 |
Clinical Practicum I I | 1 |
|
Total Credit Hours |
28 |
Students residing in the United States and completing the SLPA Certificate program are eligible to apply for national certification through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). ASHA certification ensures that SLPAs meet rigorous national standards for education, fieldwork, and professional competence. Certification also provides enhanced career mobility and recognition across clinical, educational, and telepractice settings.
Learn more at: https://www.ashaassistants.org/pathways-speech-language-pathology-assistant/
