Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant (SLPA)
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. This two-year diploma offers extensive classroom training and valuable practicum experiences with potential employers in hospitals, private clinics, schools, and community programs.
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
- IDST 100 - Introductory Communications for Helping Professionals
- ENGL 1XX or 2XX
- KNES 261 - Human Anatomy
- PSYC 2XX - (PSYC 201 recommended)
- TAPC 110 - Introduction to Health Care and Rehabilitation
*ENGL 125 is offered online at MHC. Other English courses are not offered online at MHC but are available in an online format through other post-secondary institutions. Contact Academic Advising for more information.
Winter OS or Group 2 Online
- LING 2XX - Introductory Linguistics
- SOCI 2XX
- TAPC 111 - Rehabilition Process
- TAPC 112 - Health Disorders & Conditions in Rehabilition
- TAPC 113 - Growth and Development for Rehabilition 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
- All program requirements must be completed appropriately and satisfactorily prior to commencing fieldwork.
- Students who have not successfully met their course and program requirements will not be permitted into the fieldwork courses.
- 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 course/placement outside of Medicine Hat.
- Online students may also be required to travel outside of their home area in order to complete their fieldwork requirements.
- Students may anticipate additional costs associated with these placements, e.g., travel, accommodations, etc.
- Fieldwork placements occur only in Canada, are unpaid, and are considered full-time.
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.
Individual courses transfer to other post-secondary institutions as outlined in the Alberta Transfer Guide.
*Please Note: Many institutions have competitive GPA entry requirements.
- Athabasca University: Graduates are eligible for admission into the Bachelor of Professional Arts (Human Services Major) and are eligible to transfer 60 credits into this program. Students should consult with an AU Advisor for further information.
- University of Calgary: Graduates are eligible to apply to the two-year post diploma BCR program (Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation). Students should be sure to consult Transfer Alberta when choosing option/elective courses when considering transfer to the U of C, access to higher level courses may be restricted if proper planning is not employed. Students should contact an Academic Advisor for further information.
- Thompson Rivers University: Graduates are eligible to receive advanced credit towards the Bachelor of Health Science or the Bachelor of General Studies. Students should contact an Academic Advisor at TRU for further information.
International Transfers:
- The University of Northampton (UK): Graduates of the OTA/PTA diploma are eligible to apply to the Bachelor of Science (Hons) - Occupational Therapy. Students should contact an Academic Advisor for further information.
Meet the Faculty
Credential:
Diploma
Duration:
2 years
Intake:
Fall: In-Person and Online / Winter: Online
Campus:
Medicine Hat
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