by Updated on | $ Medium: Typically $3,000-$15,000 |
The speech-language pathology assistants, also known as speech therapy assistants, help both children and adults with communication disorders in improving their overall communication skills.
They work in schools and clinics, rehabilitation agencies and private practices under the direction and supervision of a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist.
Their training usually requires a two-year associate degree program; however, some SLPA programs are designed for students who have already have got a bachelor’s degree.
Typical Costs
The fees for a two-year associate degree program, including the tuition and fees, books and other supplies usually reaches $3,000-$15,000, based on the location, the state of residence and the type of classes online or on campus.
The total costs, which includes accommodation and transportation, vary based on local rates and the individual student’s circumstances.
Pasadena City College, for example, requires $3,500 for tuition, supplies, and fees for its two-year associate degree and certificate program.
At the same time, the College of DuPage, a community college in Glen Ellyn, IL, has a cost of tuition, fees, and supplies estimated at $7,094, without the living expenses and transportation, for its associate degree in applied science.
Alexandria Technical & Community College in Minnesota, on the other side, calculate costs of $10,469 for tuition, fees, books, and parking; while Mitchell Technical Institute in Mitchell, SD, asks for $14,177 for tuition, fees, books and supplies for their online two-year SLPA program.
The students with a bachelor’s degree applying for an SLPA certificate program at a four-year university pay $7,000-$20,000 or more, based on the scope of the program, its length and number of units required, as well as the student’s state of residency.
At the same time, the University of Vermont provides an online, 21-unit SLPA certificate program with estimated tuition and fees of $7,730 for Vermont residents and $18,194 for out-of-state students.
The University of Houston, on the other hand, has a 32-unit, on-campus SLPA certificate program with 25 observation hours and 95 hours of clinical training under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist; where the fees and tuition are estimated at $9,318 for Texas residents and $19,848 for out-of-state students.
What Is Included
- In general, SPLA programs combine classroom instruction and supervised practice in a clinical setting.
- The role of the speech therapy assistants is to help their supervising speech-language pathologist’s caseload by implementing treatment plans; maintaining equipment; documenting clients’ progress; helping with screenings or assessments; and performing other support services.
- The duties are different depending on state requirements for SLPAs.
Additional Costs
The state rules for governing speech-language pathology assistants vary; and the licensing fees could be between $50-$150, based on the state.
In Nebraska, for example, the fee is $60.
Discounts
Scholarships and financial aid are available, and the student should fill in an annual Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to check if this student qualifies for federal or state aid.
Shopping For Becoming A Speech Therapy Assistant
- According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, there are approx. 27 SLPA associate degree programs in the United States.
- The use of SLPAs is not allowed in all states.
- The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association lists all SLPA requirements for each state.
- A speech-language pathology assistant is a relatively new designation and, even if the job outlook is not fully predictable, the graduates of the school’s program have found jobs in the Chicago area.
- The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association discusses the need for SLPAs.