GingerD

Hi there. I'm curious if any current or former SLPA could give me some insight. If one wanted to work as an SLPA, but does not have an undergrad degree in CSD, would one need to pursue a certificate program? A second bachelors? Or could one just complete the required course work as non-degree-seeking? I am currently working on pre-reqs for grad programs through Longwood University, but I'm curious if I do not get accepted into a Master's program, would I be able to work as an SLPA without an actual program certificate but with the required coursework completed? Also, how do I go about researching state requirements for working as an SLPA? I am mostly focused on working in Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, or Virginia, but really I am open to anywhere. I do not know if all of these states recognize or allow SLPA work. Any input you can share with me would be so helpful and appreciated. Thank you!

Thank you. That makes me feel a lot better about the LoRs. Hopefully I will have the same outcome.

Thank you. I just enrolled in Longwood U’s online SLP courses since I can pay in state rate for those as a Virginia resident. I’m glad to hear you are loving your classes. I’m eager to get started.

Thank you! You give me hope!

Thank you for the feedback. For now, the only classes I can take are online. The military may relocated my family in a few months, and then I will see what my options are. I would much prefer campus based courses. I’m just trying to make my application as appealing as possible because I worry the time gap is going to work to my disadvantage.

Just an FYI: Western KY's program site does mention that you CANNOT do your internships/externships in CA because CA does not participate in the SARA program between states. If you plan to stay in CA throughout your grad program, you may run into issues with other out of state schools as well.

I am in your exact situation right now. I graduated with my BA in 2002. I am in the process of enrolling in Longwood University’s SLP Online program to complete pre-reqs since my BA is in a different field. (The tuition is $275/credit for Virginia residents and $350/credit for out of state). There are several programs like this online (San Diego State University, University of Hawaii, Easterb New Mexico University, etc). I chose Longwood because I’m a VA resident and wanted the in state tuition rate. My biggest worry is getting those letters of academic referrals. I feel like it may be a challenge to get strong references from professors of online classes, but I have no other choice but to try. I am a bit worried my application won’t be as strong as recent undergrads, but I am determined to do this. I wish you the best of luck.

Thank you so much for this feedback. Do you feel like the RBT experience strengthened your grad school application (other than providing the clinical LoR)? Regardless, I am sure the experience will be beneficial in your future work as an SLP.

I would be interested in hearing more about working as a behavioral therapist. What kind of settings do you work in as an RBT? Anything you can share would be helpful. Thanks.

Thank you

Thank you for the feedback. I was just curious if there was something about Radford's program that didn't appeal to you. I'm from Dickenson County (on KY border), but my husband is active duty military, so we currently live out of state. I just enrolled in Longwood's SLP Online pre-reqs this week and hope to begin courses in the fall. Once I get through those courses, my husband should be close to retirement, so I'm looking at all the grad programs offered in VA minus those in the DC area. I wish you the best of luck at UVA. I have heard great things about their program.

Thank you for sharing your story with me and for the encouragement. I will look into Pacific University. I wish you the best in your graduate studies.

Thank you for the response. I did read that GRE scores must be recent (it has been 15 years since I took the GRE!), so I want to start studying for the exam asap. In the meantime, I'm trying to register for online leveling courses for the fall. I'm hopeful that I can make strong enough connections with professors via online learning courses to get strong LORs. I am contemplating taking the chemistry and statistics on campus at a community college so that I could at least have one or two LORs from someone who has met me face to face, assuming those instructors would be willing, as I know ASHA does require those courses, and I'm lacking those. My undergraduate GPA was high, (3.95), and I'm hoping I can manage to achieve a high GPA in the leveling courses to strengthen my application. I hope that I can achieve a high enough GPA in my leveling courses and a high GRE score to compensate for weaker LORs.

I'm curious why you didn't choose to apply to Radford if you were considering other schools in Virginia. Would you care to share? I'm considering Radford, JMU, UVA, Longwood, and possibly ODU but prefer to stay out of Norfolk if I can help it. I still need to do my leveling courses, so I won't be applying for another year or so.

Would you mind to share the costs of the courses through ENMU? I'm having a hard time finding that on their website.