Students are expected to provide proof of a Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan prior to the start of the program or clinical start. The insurance plan must cover you throughout the length of your clinical experience, which in most cases, consists of the entire length of the program. If you are in need of Health Insurance, please note the following important dates and visit cod.studentbenefitplans.com.

Important Dates

• Open Enrollment: Typically opens November through mid-January
  If you will need health insurance ANYTIME within the next year, you must apply during the current open enrollment period.

If you miss open enrollment, but have a qualifying life event, you can still apply during a Special Enrollment Period.

While we cannot guarantee your official acceptance into the program, you need to be aware that there is short timeframe of when you are able to purchase a Health Insurance plan. The purpose of this step is to make you aware and that the time to research and purchase is NOW. Purchasing health insurance outside of this timeframe will take months and may prohibit your admittance into the Program. NOTE: Obtaining Health Insurance is NOT an application requirement but it is a requirement to be in the program.

Whether you are preparing for a career in speech language pathology, planning to transfer to a four-year college or university or updating your skills, COD offers:

• Dedicated instructors with years of practical industry experience, certification, and licensing.
• Instruction in top-notch facilities.
• Flexible course schedules with day and evening classes, online learning and accelerated hybrid classes.
• Affordable programs that get you on the fast track to success without breaking the bank.
• Hands-on experience with a variety of different clinical sites throughout the Chicago suburbs.

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant, A.A.S.

The Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) program prepares students for employment as support personnel under the supervision of a certified Speech Language Pathologist in schools and clinics. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to apply for the Illinois State License licensure through Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations (IDFPR). This degree program requires a minimum of 64 hours in program requirements, electives and general education in the courses listed below.

Incoming health science students have certain requirements that must be met throughout the program. Refer to the resources below for more information.

• Clinical Requirements Packet - Learn more about health requirements you may need to complete prior to registration or after program admission.
• Social Security Number (SSN) Requirements - While the College may not require an SSN for admission to all healthcare programs, students should be aware that the absence of an SSN may limit or prevent their ability to participate in certain clinical experiences, obtain required licensure or certification or secure employment upon graduation. Many healthcare employers, clinical education sites, licensing agencies and credentialing organizations require a valid SSN for employment, criminal background checks, payroll processing and/or professional licensure or certification. Students are strongly encouraged to verify SSN requirements with the applicable licensing board, certifying agency and prospective employers before enrolling in a healthcare program.

Speech Language Pathology Assistant program graduates will:

• Provide quality services as outlined by the supervising SLP in a documented treatment plan
• Complete speech and language screenings without interpretation
• Assist SLP during diagnostic testing if requested by the supervising SLP
• Document progress toward goals in established therapy plan and assist with informal documentation
• Perform clerical duties, assist with departmental operations, and perform equipment maintenance checks as requested by the supervising SLP
• Provide support in research projects, in-servicing, and public relations programs, and collect data for quality improvement
• Exhibit compliance with scope of service
• Exhibit compliance with regulations and reimbursement requirements
• Exhibit professional behavior, ethical conduct, and interpersonal skills when interacting with clients/patients and families, supervisors, and staff
• Assume responsibility for continued professional and personal growth
• Apply for licensure through the Illinois Department of Professional Regulations
• Contribute positively to the speech language pathology profession and community

College of DuPage partners with several four-year institutions to help students seamlessly complete a bachelor’s degree in speech. Students can connect with Transfer Services for personalized guidance on transfer opportunities.

For more information about Transfer Pathways, visit the College of DuPage Catalog. The pathway outlines a typical two-year course plan for completing an AA or AS degree before transferring to a four-year program. Course requirements vary by institution, so consult your faculty or academic advisor for specific guidance.

Articulation Agreements

College of DuPage maintains transfer agreements with many colleges and universities to ensure a smooth transition toward a bachelor’s degree. These agreements often include a defined course sequence. Students should regularly meet with a faculty member or Advising Services to stay on track.

• Northern Illinois University, AAS Speech-language Pathology Assistant to BS in Communicative Disorders

Transfer Guides

Beyond articulation agreements and guaranteed admission programs, College of DuPage courses transfer to many other institutions. Transfer Guides help students select COD courses that meet prerequisites for specific majors and include details such as contact information, major requirements, general education requirements, and transfer policies.

In Illinois, the Scope of Service of SLPA is organized by function. Refer to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to view the Illinois Speech Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act.

Therapy

• SLPAs may follow a documented treatment plan outlined by an SLP.
• SLPAs may not write, develop, or modify a treatment plan in any way.

Evaluation and Screening

• SLPAs may complete speech and language screenings without interpretation and assist SLP during diagnostic testing.
• SLPAs may not interpret screening results or perform diagnostic testing.

Swallowing

• SLPAs may not complete feeding or swallowing screening, perform diagnostic services related to feeding and swallowing, utilize a check list or tabulate results of a feeding or swallowing evaluation or  demonstrate swallowing strategies or precautions patient, family, or staff.

Documentation

• SLPAs may document progress toward goals in established therapy plan and assist with informal documentation.
• SLPAs may not write, develop, or modify the therapy plan in any way or sign any formal document.

Determination of Need for Services

• SLPAs may not select clients for service, discharge clients from service or make referrals for additional service.

Counseling and Conferencing

• SLPAs may not counsel the client or family, consult with client, family, or others regarding status or service, disclose information (verbal or written) to anyone not designated by SLP or participate in any conferencing activity without the presence of an SLP.

Clerical/Miscellaneous

• SLPAs may perform clerical duties, assist with departmental operations, perform equipment maintenance checks provide support in research projects, inservice, and PR programs or collect data for quality improvement.

Ethics

• SLPAs must exhibit compliance with scope of service and exhibit compliance with regulations and reimbursement requirements.
• SLPAs may not represent himself/herself as an SLP.

Workplace Behaviors

• SLPAs must relate to clients/patients in a supportive manner, follow supervisor’s instructions, maintain confidentiality and other appropriate behaviors,  communicate in oral and written forms and follow health and safety precautions.

Students do not need to complete all general education requirements before starting SLPA program courses. However, making significant progress toward completing these requirements before entering the program is strongly recommended and will be considered during the admissions review process.

Students are expected to be ready to graduate when they finish the SLPA program. Therefore, all general education requirements and elective courses must be completed before the final semester of the program.

Students who have not successfully completed all required general education and elective coursework before their final semester may be unable to participate in clinical practicum placements and could be dismissed from the program.

A Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) is an individual who has earned a master's or doctoral degree in the field of Communication Sciences and Disorders. He or she has completed a nine-month fellowship, referred to as the Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY), received his or her Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCCs) from the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA), and has been licensed by the state(s) in which he or she practices. The SLP provides diagnostic services, develops plans of intervention, and provides direct therapy or consultative services for individuals with communicative, cognitive or swallowing deficits. Entry-level salaries for ASHA-certified SLPs are approximately $45,000 for those on a academic contract year (9 to 10 months) and $52,000 for those on a calendar year contract (11 to 12 months).

Guidelines for the use of support personnel in Speech Language Pathology were formally instituted by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) in 1969. However, support personnel functioned under a multiple of different titles and varied widely in terms of training. The formalization of the SLPA profession in terms of education, training and scope of service is a recent addition to the speech language pathology landscape, with national and Illinois state guidelines being finalized in 2000 and 2002 respectively.

SLPAs can work in a multitude of settings and provide services for a wide variety of individuals. However, it is important to note that the vast majority of SLPA graduates from COD are employed working with children, specifically in the early intervention system. In 2005, credentialing through the early intervention system (which provides services for children age birth to three years) became available for licensed associate-level SLPAs. Since that time, the early intervention system has become a significant employment resource for our graduates. Graduates have also found employment in educational and pediatric clinical settings. Job opportunities in hospital settings or caring for adult patients are limited at this time, secondary to reimbursement issues.

Refer to SLPA application packet for admission criteria.

As stated in the SLPA application packet, a student should apply to the program while he/she is completing his/her prerequisite SLPA courses. All application materials are due by the application deadline date.