Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant
As a Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant, you will find a rewarding career supporting Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) in their assessment and treatment of people with communication difficulties and disorders.
A communication disorder may be evident in a person’s ability to pronounce sounds, to understand what is spoken, to use vocabulary and grammar skills, to speak without stuttering, and to use their voice. You may provide treatment based on the SLP’s goals, make and develop materials and activities, document and report results, carry out screenings, maintain equipment, and assist with clerical duties. Working one-on-one and in groups, you will have the opportunity to help people of all ages to improve their ability to communicate and interact with others and make a positive difference in their daily lives.
Offered on-site in Medicine Hat or online, the first nine courses are common to two different diplomas:
- Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physical Therapist Assistant, and
- Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant.
This unique approach provides you with an excellent core upon which to build more specific skills depending on your interests and pursue additional diploma completion or degree transfer opportunities.
Did you know?
Medicine Hat College's Therapist Assistant program was the first program in Western Canada to offer formal educational preparation for Occupational Therapist Assistants, Physical Therapist Assistants, and Speech-Language Pathologist Assistants and is a considered to be a leader and innovator in the field.
Our faculty members continually partner with various provincial/national educators and professional groups in an effort to clarify and standardize the role of support personnel in rehabilitation service delivery. This kind of dedication, combined with a great curriculum and fieldwork opportunities, provides you with the background needed for a promising future.
High School
High school diploma with:
• ELA 30-1 (min. 60%)
• Biology 30 (min. 60%)
• Two 30-level subjects, one of which must be a 30-level
science, Math 30-1 or Math 30-2 (min. 60%)
Mature Student
- ELA 30-1 (min. 60%)
- Biology 30 (min. 60%)
Transfer Student Route
- ELA 30-1 or a post-secondary level equivalent (min. 60%,
or C) - Biology 30, a post-secondary level equivalent or a
university level lab science course postsecondary level
equivalent or a university level lab science course (min.
60%, or C)
Once successful in gaining admission and having received the program orientation package, students must:
- Complete a standardized health form, program of immunization.
- Provide a current Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Check. (Students are obligated to inform the Program Coordinator immediately of any change in the status of their criminal record.) A positive Police Information Check (PIC) may prevent fieldwork placements and, as a result, completion of the program.
- Provide current Intervention Record Check (Alberta Residents only).
During the program, students must:
- Provide proof of current CPR/AED Certification from one of the following:
- Heart & Stroke Foundation (BLS - Basic Life Support),
- Canadian Red Cross (HCP - Health Care Providers),
- St. John Ambulance (CPR for Health Care Providers)
- Obtain an N-95 Mask Fit Test
First Year
Fall OS or Group 1 Online
- ENGL 1XX or 2XX*
- IDST 100 - Introductory Communications for Helping Professionals
- KNES 261 - Human Anatomy
- PSYC 2XX - (PSYC 201 recommended)
- TAPC 110* - Introduction to Health Care and Rehabilitation
*These courses are fieldwork courses.
Winter OS or Group 2 Online
- LING 2XX - Introductory Linguistics
- Junior SOCI
- TAPC 111 - Rehabilitation Process
- TAPC 112 - Health Disorders & Conditions in Rehabilitation
- TAPC 113 - Growth and Development for Rehabilitation Service Providers
Spring OS or Group 3 Online
- SLPA 212 -Basics for the Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant
Second Year
Fall OS or Group 4 Online
- AUDA 212 - Introduction to Audiology
- SLPA 160 - Introduction to American Sign Language
- SLPA 215 - SLPA Therapeutic Processes I
- SLPA 216 - SLPA Therapeutic Processes II
- TAPC 210 - Professional Integration for the Therapist Assistant
Winter OS or Group 5 Online
- SLPA 206* - SLPA Therapeutic Processes III
- SLPA 207* - SLPA Therapeutic Processes IV
- TAPC 218 - Career Preparation for the Therapist Assistant
Graduates of this program will find employment opportunities with:
- Health Regions/Hospitals
- Schools
- Day cares and preschools
- Rehabilitation centres
- Private practices of Speech-Language Pathologists
Fieldwork Requirements
- Fieldwork arrangements are made by Medicine Hat College with consideration of student preferences; however, students may be required to complete fieldwork at sites other than those requested by students. Once arrangements are confirmed, they are usually not modified.
- Students should expect to complete at least one fieldwork placement out of Medicine Hat (fieldwork courses are: SLPA 206, SLPA 207, TAPC 110.
- You may anticipate additional costs associated with these placements, e.g., travel, accommodations, etc.
- At this time, fieldwork placements occur only in Canada.
Continuation Specific to Fieldwork
- Immunization required by the program must be up to date prior to commencing job shadowing and fieldwork placement(s).
- You must successfully complete lab components of SLPA 212, SLPA 215 and SLPA 216 prior to entering fieldwork.
- All fieldwork experience must meet attendance requirements as specified.
- Participation in all activities related to fieldwork is mandatory.
- Should you receive an unsatisfactory evaluation on a fieldwork placement, you will be required to discuss this situation with the Medicine Hat College faculty. This evaluation may result in your having to repeat the placement. If you receive an unsatisfactory evaluation on more than one placement, you will be required to withdraw from the program.
- You may be required to obtain a recent police information check and/or similar checks, at your expense, prior to entry into some fieldwork sites. You may wish to discuss this further with the Coordinators.
- Should your performance and/or health be questionable in relation to the delivery of safe client care and/or the maintenance of the professional standards of the program, you may be asked to leave your fieldwork site and may not receive a credit in the fieldwork course.
Additional Information
Prior Learning
If you have been employed in the field prior to entering this program, you may be eligible for prior learning assessment. Please contact the Coordinator for further information.
Online Learning (OL)
- If you are enrolled in the online delivery, you are expected to participate in experiential learning opportunities that are group or individually based. You should be prepared to travel to Medicine Hat College for a lab workshop in AUDA 212.
- You must normally complete all courses in each group prior to beginning courses in subsequent groups. Programs completed otherwise will require submission of Prerequisite Waiver forms.
- Tuition and other fees are charged on a course by course basis; textbooks and supplies are additional.
Meet the Faculty
Credential:
Diploma
Duration:
2 years
Intake:
Fall: In-Person and Online / Winter: Online
Campus:
Medicine Hat
Apply Today Apply for MHC programs
Talk to an Advisor Book an appointment here
Program Planning Guides Build your schedule
Tuition Fees Find out program costs
Immunization Info For health and community services programs
