SFSU CD Program Standards
The San Francisco State University Communicative Disorders Program
(SFSU CD Program) is certified by the Council of Academic Affairs (CAA)
of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Assocation (2017), the
California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC), and the National
Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Specifically,
certification by the CAA ensures that the curriculum of the SFSU CD
program is consistent with ASHA standards and that students are prepared
in all the required areas of Knowledge and Skills Acquisition (KASA) to
begin practice as a speech-language pathologist in the nine major disorder
areas, which include the following:
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Articulation
Fluency
Voice and resonance
Receptive and expressive language
Hearing, including the impact on speech and language
Swallowing
Cognitive aspects of communication
Social aspects of communication
Communication modalities
THE SFSU CD PROGRAM PREPARES ITS GRADUATE
STUDENTS TO OBTAIN:
A MASTER'S DEGREE. Graduates of the CD Program possess a Master
of Science degree in Communicative Disorders, with a specialty in speechlanguage pathology.
ASHA CERTIFICATION. In addition, graduates are eligible for the
Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in speech-language pathology by
the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) because the
SFSU CD program is certified by the Council of Academic Affairs (CAA).
Although not a legal requirement, ASHA certification is recognized by
employers throughout the nation as a symbol of professional training and
competence, particularly for speech-language pathologists.
ASHA requires that, after graduation, the individual undergo a 9-month
full-time clinical fellowship (CF) experience, in which he or she is
employed while being supervised by someone who holds ASHA
certification. Upon completion of the CF experience, coupled with state
licensure (see below), the individual can practice independently.
CALIFORNIA STATE LICENSURE. The practice of speech-language
pathology in the state of California requires a license issued by the SpeechLanguage Pathology and Audiology Board (SLPAB). Exempt settings are
public schools and federal agencies. The academic and clinical
requirements for state licensure essentially parallel those for ASHA
certification. Following graduation, the individual undergoes a Required
Professional Experience (RPE) for 9 month's full-time employment while
supervised by someone who holds CA state licensure. After the RPE is
completed, the individual can practice independently.
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY SERVICES CREDENTIAL
(SLPSC). The SLPSC is issued by the CA Commission on Teacher
Credentialing (CCTC) for individuals intending to practice speech-language
pathology in the public schools. Recent legislation allows speech-language
pathologists who possess a CA state license to work in the schools as
consultants without the SLPSC; however, many school districts hire only
individuals who hold the SLPSC.
Once the graduate has completed the requirements for the SLPSC, the
credential will be awarded following proof of receipt of the Master of
Science degree, a passing score on the Praxis II Speech-Language
Pathology Test, and completion of a 36-week, full-time, mentored clinical
experience or equivalent supervised practicum.