Course Requirements for the SLPA Associates Degree
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS:
Child Development 107 (3 units)
Child Growth and Development
Developmental stages of children from conception through adolescence. Covers major theories of development (biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial) and their application to parenting, teaching and other interactions with children.
Child Development 108 (3 units)
Observation and Assessment for Early Learning and Development
Emphasizes the dynamic forces underlying growth and change in the young child as related to physical, language and social development. Introduces basic methods of observing and recording behavior.
Child Development 205 (3 units)
Exceptionality and Special Needs in Human Development
Study of diseases and disorders found in children resulting in exceptionality, including mental retardation, visual, speech and hearing impairments; behavior disorders, learning disabilities and physical and health impairments.
Communication Studies 151 (3 units)
Voice and Diction for Effective Communication
Basic speech and voice production. Anatomy and physiology related to respiration (breathing/loudness), phonation (sound/pitch), and articulation (diction/clarity). Practice in improving vocal skills for effective communication.
American Sign Language 110 (3 units)
American Sign Language I
This introductory course is designed to introduce students to American Sign Language (ASL) and fingerspelling as it is used within American Deaf Culture. Instruction includes preparation for visual/gestural communication followed by intensive work on comprehension skills, modeling of grammatical structures, and general information about American Deaf culture. Sign Language 110 is equivalent to two years of high school ASL.
Speech Language Pathology Assisting (SLPA) 118 (3 units)
Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology Assisting
Overview of the field of speech-language pathology, professional standards, legal and ethical issues and scope of responsibilities of the speech-language pathologist and the speech-language pathology assistant in health care and educational settings.
Speech Language Pathology Assisting (SLPA) 119 (3 units)
Speech, Language and Hearing Development
Study of normal speech, hearing and language development across the life span. Topics will include communication development in bilingual populations and differentiation of normal from disordered communication.
Speech Language Pathology Assisting (SLPA) 120 (2 units)
Clinical Management and Procedures
Organizational and functional skills required in the speech-language pathology workplace. Includes interdisciplinary and supervisory relationships, client and public interaction, safety issues, technical writing, data collection, record keeping and computer applications.
(Prerequisite: SLPA 118 with grade of 'C' or better)
Speech Language Pathology Assisting (SLPA) 150 (.5 unit)
Observation of Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Practices
Beginning clinical observation of practices and procedures required in speech-language pathology. Observation sites will be both education and medical.
(Prerequisite: SLPA 118 with grade of 'C' or better and concurrent enrollment in SLPA 160)
Speech Language Pathology Assisting (SLPA) 160 (3 units)
Introduction to Communication Disorders and Treatment
An overview of communication disorders, including classification, assessment and remediation of speech, language, swallowing and hearing disorders in children and adults. Role of the speech-language pathologist and audiologist in educational and medical settings.
Speech Language Pathology Assisting (SLPA) 170 (3 units)
Introduction to Phonetics
Study of the articulatory foundations of the description and classification of speech sounds. Introduces the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), physiological properties of the speech-producing mechanism, and methods of transcription. Emphasis will be on American English along with the comparison to the sound systems of other languages.
Speech Language Pathology Assisting (SLPA) 180 (3 units)
Screening Processes and Intervention Procedures
Screening tools, processes and intervention procedures used for clients with communication disorders.
Administration of screening tests and completion of protocols. Equipment utilized in therapeutic treatment.
(Prerequisites: SLPA 120, 150, 160 with grade of 'C' or better)
Speech Language Pathology Assisting (SLPA) 190 (2 units)
Clinical Fieldwork I
Application of supervised clinical practice procedures as required of a speech-language pathology assistant in an educational setting.
(Prerequisite: SLPA 120, 150, 160; concurrent enrollment in SLPA 180)
Application to department Coordinator required the semester prior to enrollment; Current TB Clearance; Fingerprinting and background check; Current CPR and First Aid Certification
Speech Language Pathology Assisting (SLPA) 200 (3 units)
Adult and Geriatric Communication Disorders
Speech, language, and hearing disorders experienced by the adult and geriatric populations. Assessment tools and treatment strategies used to treat acquired disorders such as adult aphasia, dysarthria, and hearing loss.(Prerequisite: SLPA 160)
Speech Language Pathology Assisting (SLPA) 250 (2 units)
Clinical Fieldwork II
Advanced application of clinical practice procedures in a clinical or medical setting by the speech-language pathology assistant under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist.
(Prerequisite: SLPA 180,190) Application to department Coordinator required the semester prior to enrollment; Current TB Clearance; Fingerprinting and background check; Current CPR and First Aid Certification
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
Anthropology 104 or English 104 (3 units)
Language and Culture
General introduction to the processes of human communication. Includes the relationship between language and culture, acquisition of first and second language, languages in contact, sociolinguistics and the effects of both language and culture on inter/intra group communication.
Biology 109/ 109L (4 units)
General Biology
Principles of biology stressing the relationship of all organisms from anatomical, physiological and ecological points of view.
OR
Biology 149 (4 units)
Anatomy and Physiology
Human anatomy and physiology stressing the interrelationships between normal structure and function.
OR
Biology 239 (4 units)
General Human Anatomy
Structure of the human body. Systems, organs, and tissues are studies from human skeletons, models, charts, slides and CD-ROM programs.
English 101 (4 units)
Freshman Composition
Expository and argumentative essays and the research paper.
Psychology 100 (3 units)
Introduction to Psychology
Addresses principles of research, perception, development, learning, motivation, emotion and abnormal behavior. Emphasizes application of psychological principles to personal adjustment.
Communication Studies 101 (3 units)
Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
Introduction to communication theory, listening, perception, language usage, non-verbal communication and conflict management.
Communication Studies 103 (3 units)
Introduction to Intercultural Communication
A general view of the sociological, psychological and historical background of world cultures. Special emphasis on the methods, skills and techniques necessary for effective intercultural, cross cultural and interracial communication. Stresses the development of analytical thinking and writing skills.
Psychology 140 (3 units)
Psychology of Adulthood and Aging
Examines psychological and related biological and social changes that occur in adulthood and old age. Designed to help students understand their own and others aging and to prepare student for occupations dealing with older people.
To complete the AS degree requirement, students need to also fulfill the requirements for American Institutions, Reading Proficiency, Math Proficiency, Lifelong Understanding & Self-Development Section F2.
