Communication Sciences and Disorders Certificate

The CSD Prerequisite Certificate Program will prepare students with majors outside of communication sciences and disorders application to graduate programs in CSD or prepare students within the CSD major to pursue their license as a speech-language pathology assistant (SLP-A). The program is open to students in any major.

Students pursuing a career as a speech-language pathologist need to complete a master's program in communication sciences and disorders (CSD). One means of completing prerequisite coursework necessary for acceptance into a graduate program in CSD is majoring in CSD as an undergraduate student. Currently, for those individuals who selected a major other than CSD and decide they would like to switch to CSD will have to add a significant amount of coursework to complete the major. This will render many of the courses from the initial major to become elective credits. The Communication Sciences and Disorders Certificate Program will allow those students to take all prerequisite courses in the CSD necessary for applying to a graduate program without having to switch majors. This will reduce time necessary to complete major requirements while still meeting the prerequisite coursework for graduate school.

This certificate will also provide an option for students interested in becoming a Speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs). Those who want to become ASHA-certified and hold the C-SLPA credential must meet the requirements set forth in the Standards for SLPA Certification, which include meeting the following degree and education requirements.

College degree (associate's or bachelor's) from an accredited institution

Students choosing to use the certification to pursue a C-SLPA license will take the 6 credit internship. These students need to complete clinical field work (also called "clinical practicum" or "on-the-job" hours).

A minimum of 100 hours, to include

• 80 hours of direct patient/client/student services under the supervision of an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist (SLP)**
• 20 hours of indirect patient/client/student services under the supervision of an ASHA-certified SLP**
• Observation, simulation, and graduate practicum hours cannot be used toward this requirement.

Hours may be completed via an academic practicum or on the job with a current/former CCC-SLP and may be no more than 5 years old at the time of application. Any "on-the-job" hours must be completed in accordance with state regulations.

Your supervisor will verify your hours via the online application when submitted; no paperwork is required to be submitted to ASHA.

** Any hours completed January 1, 2020, or after must have been supervised by an ASHA-certified SLP (See Standard III). Certificate advisor coordinates and assigns the internship. It is up to the advisor's discretion and availability of sites as to if the internship will be held in the fall or spring semester.

It has been identified that many Special Education and Early Childhood Education majors (including transfer students) become interested in speech-language pathology when introduced to the field in their major courses. Often these students have accrued a significant number of credits in another major, which will become electives if the students switch to CSD. If a students want to remain in a major other than CSD, they lack the speech and hearing classes to start a master’s program and require pre-requisites. This certificate will encourage the students to take the classes at ESU while still making progress towards completion of a bachelor's degree in a more timely manner.

This certificate is available to any major. However this will mostly interest students in related educational or health related fields. Students who already have a degree and want to pursue a master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders would pursue this certificate to gain prerequisites for a master’s program.

With the increased number of CSD programs in the region, a certificate of this nature will provide opportunities to increase undergraduate options across disciplines and potentially increase applicants and ultimately participants in the ESU CSD graduate program.