Make a Difference
The School of Speech, Language, Hearing, and Occupational Sciences offers multiple certificate programs for Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ who want to make a difference in their communities.
Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant Certificate
Our Speech-Language Pathologist-Assistant (SLPA) Certificate program is designed to provide foundational knowledge in the field of Communicative Sciences and Disorders (CSD) needed to prepare you as an assistant to speech-language pathologists. Being an SLPA provides the opportunity to directly work with and help individuals with speech, language, and hearing disorders in schools, clinics, and hospitals, under the supervision of a certified speech-language pathologist.
The SLPA Certificate program is a pathway into the speech-language pathology professions. SLP-Assistants are not certified as Speech-Language Pathologists, as certified SLPs are required to complete graduate training. The SLPA Certificate, however, can be a stepping stone to working toward the goal of becoming a certified SLP in the following ways:
- SLPA courses may be applied towards the completion of an Associates degree from Missoula College.
- SLPA courses may be applied towards the completion of a Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ Communicative Sciences and Disorders (CSD) Bachelors of Arts degree.
- If you already have a Bachelor's degree, SLPA courses can be applied towards the completion of our Leveling Certificate Program, which allows you to then apply to graduate school to become a speech-language pathologist.
The SLPA Certificate program consists of 9 courses for a total of 26 credits. These 9 courses can be completed across three semesters provided Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ enroll full-time.
Please note our SLPA Certificate program is not a certification or license to practice as an SLPA. Licensing/certification requirements for SLPAs vary greatly from state-to-state and prospective Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ must check with their local licensing boards to determine if additional education or clinical training hours are needed to practice as an SLPA in their specific state. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's has useful information to determine state requirements.
Neurodivergence Inclusion and Supports Certificate
The provides scholars from a range of majors the foundational knowledge of how to include and support people that are neurodivergent throughout the lifespan. People with autism and other neeurodivergences such as ADHD, lerning disability, anxiety, and more make up a significant part of our community. Scholars will learn the evidence-based practices aligned with this population and engage in an experiential learning opportunity preparing them for their careers with practical skills and strategies.