HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Wallace State Community College has introduced a Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant Program. WSCC Program Director, Diagnostic Imaging / Assistant Dean of Health Science Dr. Jim Malone spoke briefly at an information session about the program on March 13.
Malone said the need for the program was brought to his attention by many local superintendents and all expressed the urgent need for the program in Cullman and surrounding counties. He said Wallace State is the only community college in Alabama to offer the program at this time.
Said Program Director Chante Nelson, “There is a local demand for Speech-Language Pathology in schools because those who currently work in the field are aging out.”
Speech-Language Pathology helps those who struggle with stuttering, social communication, feeding or swallowing and more. It is a healthcare profession focused on analyzing and essentially treating communication and swallowing disorders in people of all ages.
Augmentative and alternative communication is an aspect of this profession. Speech-Language Pathologists will assess and configure ways to best help someone with AAC have a “voice.” SLPs don’t hand over an iPad with apps like Grid or LAMP Words for Life. It requires observation and trial and error to ensure long-term solutions and use for the individual.
Though SLPs can assist children with speech sound production, they can also assist individuals who have suffered cognitive damage from strokes. They provide rehabilitation management to the individuals in cases where there is difficulty with speech, loss of speech and even swallowing.
Wallace State will be selecting 12 students for the summer program. There is a minimum requirement of a 2.5 GPA and a 20 or higher on the ACT. Secretary of Health Sciences, Jennifer Craig advised that an ACT score of 19 is accepted under the condition that the student will retake it to get a 20 or higher. If the student does not meet the required score they will be taken out of the class. If you’re planning to apply for the class, keep in mind you must wait 60 days before retaking your ACT.
Individuals who currently have a degree with an ACT score under 20 will still be expected to retake the ACT to meet the requirement. Craig advised it is not fair to make exceptions for one student, but not the other.
The current application period ends April 1 at 11:59 p.m. for spring/summer admissions. All materials for the application will have to be submitted before the deadline. Late applications will be considered on a “space available” basis.
“Community service in the field isn’t required since it’s a new program, but it could be within your best interest to shadow someone to be safe,” Craig told the audience.
Representatives from TheraPlay Pediatric Sensory Gym advised they love having individuals job shadow, especially ones who are interested in Speech-Language Pathology.
“Our area is very underserved, so we are thrilled about the SLPA program at Wallace. We know this new program will meet a big need in our communities and schools,” said TheraPlay Owner Janelle Britt, M.S.,CCC-SLP. “In addition to job shadowing, we also offer observation hours for students applying to the SLPA or OTA programs at Wallace.”
If you are interested in job shadowing or observation times, email TheraPlay Clinical Manager Madison Lee at madisonlee@theraplayal.com.
For more information about the Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant Program at Wallace State, email jennifer.craig@wallacestate.edu or chante.nelson@wallacestate.edu, or visit www.wallacestate.edu/programs/health-division/speech-pathologist-assistant/index.html.
