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UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS

DEPARTMENT OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

 

PRAXIS            CFY           STATE LICENSE           TEACHER LICENSE

 

 

CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE

 

Graduates from the speech-language pathology program earn a Master of Science Degree and meet academic and clinical standards for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Speech-Language Pathology granted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Speech Pathology License issued by the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Speech Pathology and Audiology.  Graduates also meet the requirements for Teacher Licensure in Speech-Language Pathology from the Arkansas State Department of Education.

 

ASHA CERTIFICATION IN SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

Students who begin their programs of study under the 1993 Standards for the Certificate of Clinical Competence and apply for certification by December 31, 2005 must meet the 1993 requirements summarized below:

 

            Academic Coursework (75 Semester Credit Hours)

I.  27 semester credit hours in Basic Science Coursework (generally at the undergraduate level)

           

            * The following minimum semester hours must be obtained under this area:

           

            A.  6 semester credit hours in Biological/Physical Sciences & Mathematics

(courses in biology, human anatomy, physical science, physics, algebra, general math)

 

            B.  6 semester credit hours in Behavioral/Social Sciences

(courses dealing with human behavior, social interaction, multicultural populations, psychology, sociology, anthropology, gerontology)

 

            C.  15 semester credit hour in Basic Human Communication Processes as follows:

1.  AT LEAST 3 hours in anatomy/physiology of speech and hearing mechanisms

 

2.  AT LEAST 3 hours in physical/perceptual bases including acoustics, phonetics, speech/hearing science

 

3.  AT LEAST 3 hours in linguistics/psycholinguistics including language and speech development/acquisition and verbal behavior

 

            II. 36 semester credit hours in Professional Coursework

           

            *30 hours of the 36 hours must be from GRADUATE COURSES

 

            A.  30 hours in Speech-Language Pathology

(21 hours MUST be at graduate level - Semester credit hours for practicum courses do not count toward the 30 hours.)

1.  AT LEAST 6 hours in SPEECH DISORDERS (voice, articulation, fluency)

                 

                        2.  AT LEAST 6 hours in LANGUAGE DISORDERS (child or adult)

                 

                        3.  UP TO 6 hours of GRADUATE Clinical Practicum courses may be counted toward the minimum 36 hours of                             

                            Professional Coursework  BUT CANNOT BE USED TO SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS IN #1 & #2 ABOVE

       

            B.  6 semester credit hours in Audiology (3 hours at graduate level is desirable)

                        1.  AT LEAST 3 hours in Hearing Disorders and Evaluation

                 

                        2.  AT LEAST 3 hours in Aural Rehabilitation

 

The section of the ASHA certification application for documenting academic coursework is reviewed during the initial advising meeting.  This form is completed by the faculty advisor and the student to ensure that the student meets ASHA CCC requirements.  This form is maintained in the student advising file and is updated each semester. 

 

            Supervised Clinical Observation and Clinical Practicum (375 clock hours)

            * Supervision must be provided by an individual who holds the CCC in the appropriate area

               of practice

 

            * 25 hours in observations of evaluations and therapy in speech and hearing

 

            *350 hours in clinical practicum

                                   AT LEAST 250 hours in SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY at GRADUATE LEVEL

 

                                   AT LEAST 20 hours in AUDIOLOGY

 

                                   50 clock hours in each of three types of clinical settings

 

            A. SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

 

                        AT LEAST 20 clock hours must be completed in each of the following areas:

                                   Evaluation of speech disorders in children

                                   Evaluation of speech disorders in adults

                                   Evaluation of language disorders in children

                                   Evaluation of language disorders in adults

                                   Treatment of speech disorders in children

                                   Treatment of speech disorders in adults

                                   Treatment of language disorders in children

                                   Treatment of language disorders in adults

           

            B. AUDIOLOGY

 

                       AT LEAST 20 clock hours in evaluation/screening and habilitation/rehabilitation            

            

During general clinic meetings, clinical requirements are reviewed.  Information on documentation of clinical hours can be found in the Clinic Handbook. 

           

Students who apply for certification beginning January 2006 must meet the 2005 ASHA standards. 

Overview of Standards

Although previous certification standards emphasized process measures of academic and clinical knowledge, the 2005 standards combine process and outcome measures of academic and clinical knowledge and skills. Process standards specify the experiences, such as course work or practicum hours; outcome standards require demonstration of specific knowledge and skills. The 2005 standards utilize a combination of formative and summative assessments for the purpose of improving and measuring student learning.

Salient features of the standards for entry- level practice include the following requirements:

A. A minimum of 75 semester credit hours culminating in a master’s, doctoral, or other recognized post-baccalaureate degree. The graduate education in speech-language pathology must be initiated and completed in a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

B. Skills in oral and written communication and demonstrated knowledge of ethical standards, research principles, and current professional and regulatory issues.

C. Practicum experiences that encompass the breadth of the current scope of practice with both adults and children (with no specific clock-hour requirements for given disorders or settings) resulting in a minimum of 400 clock hours of supervised practicum, of which at least 375 hours must be in direct client/patient contact and 25 in clinical observation.

D. A 36-week speech- language pathology clinical fellowship that establishes a collaboration between the clinical fellow and a mentor.

E. A maintenance of certification requirement (Standard VII) that goes into effect on January 1, 2005.

(American Speech-Language Hearing Association (2004) Background Information and Standards and Implementation for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Language Pathology)

Additional information on new standards can be accessed on the ASHA website asha.org or from your advisor.

 

            

NATIONAL EXAMINATION IN SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

 To obtain the Certificate of Clinical Competence applicants must pass the Praxis II Examination in Speech-Language Pathology developed by Educational Testing Services (ETS).  This exam is one of the specialty subject assessment tests within the Praxis series.  The current passing score is 600.  This examination must be passed within 2 years of the date the coursework and practicum documentation submitted by the applicant have been approved by ASHA.               

 

The Praxis subject assessment test in Speech-Language Pathology is comprised of 150 multiple choice questions.  The questions are related to the full scope of practice of the profession.  Some test items require the recall of specific facts.  They require the recall of knowledge from basic communication processes, speech-language or hearing disorders, assessment and treatment as well as knowledge about research, ethics and administrative issues.  Other test items assess the ability to analyze situations, synthesize material, and apply knowledge.

 

Students should register to take this examination when they are at or near the completion of their graduate program including both academic coursework and clinical practicum.   The examination is given six times each year from October to June at various locations.  When registering for the examination students should have a copy of the score sent to the following agencies: 1) American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (R5031), 2) Arkansas Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (R8773), and 3) University of Central Arkansas Department of Speech-Language Pathology (R0005). 

 

Students should prepare for the examination.  Preparation might include: 1) using Tests at a Glance which is available from ETS, 2) reviewing test material found in the Guide to the Praxis Examinations prepared by ETS, 3) purchasing a review book on the Praxis,  4) reviewing notes from classes, and 5) taking practice tests.

 

  For more information and registration procedures contact Educational Testing Service, Rosedale Road,  Princeton, NJ 08541-6051, 609-771-7395, or www.ets.org

 

            

CLINICAL FELLOWSHIP:  REQUIREMENTS & PROCEDURES

            Purpose of the Clinical Fellowship Year:

                       Development of a total commitment to quality speech, language, and hearing services;

                       Integration and application of theoretical knowledge gained in academic training;

                       Evaluation of individual strengths and limitations;

                       Refinement of clinical skills; and

                       Development of clinical skills consistent with the current scope of practice in the profession.

            

Clinical Fellows:

The clinical fellow is defined as an individual who is obtaining the supervised professional clinical experience require to obtain the CCC.  Academic and clinical requirements must be completed before the clinical fellowship is initiated.  Clinical fellows may specify CF/SLP after their names.

 

State Licensure/Regulatory Requirements:

Before beginning a CFY, the individual should determine what the state licensing agency requires. 

 

Length of Clinical Fellowship:

The CFY is defined as no less that 36 weeks of full-time professional employment.  A minimum of 30 hours of work per week constitutes full-time employment. Time spent in supervision of students, academic teaching, and research, as well as administrative activity that does not deal directly with patient management cannot be counted.  At least 80% of the clinical fellowship work week must be in direct client contact related to the management process.

                                    25-29 hours per week = 48 weeks for CFY

                                    20-24 hours per week = 60 weeks for CFY

                                    15-19 hours per week = 72 weeks for CFY

Professional employment of less that 15 hours per week may not be used to fulfill any part of the clinical fellowship requirement.

 

Clinical Fellowship Supervisor:

Clinical fellows are encouraged to seek supervisors with some prior supervisory experience.  The clinical fellow and the supervisor should execute a written agreement including duration of supervision and details concerning supervision.  If  the clinical fellow is supervised by multiple individuals, it is the responsibility of one CFY supervisor to collate the evaluations of all supervisors and to verify that the policies have been met.

 

It is the responsibility of the clinical fellow to verify the certification status of the clinical fellowship supervisor before initiating the experience and to verify the supervisors continuing certification throughout the duration of the clinical fellowship experience.  If the clinical fellowship supervisors certification lapses, the clinical fellow may be required to extend his/her clinical fellowship.

 

Mandatory Supervision Requirements:

Clinical fellowship supervision must include the personal and direct involvement of the supervisor.  The clinical fellowship is divided into three equal segments, each segment representing one third of the total experience.  For example, a 36-week CFY is divided into three 12-week segments. 

 

      The CFY supervisor must complete no less than 36 supervisory activities spaced uniformly throughout the clinical fellowship:

                       At least 18 on-site observations. (one hour = one on-site observation);

                       At least 6 on-site observations during each third of the experience ( up to six hours may be accrued in one day); and

                       18 other monitoring activities, at least 6 per segment.   Some examples include:  evaluating the clinical fellow’s clinical records, monitoring the clinical fellow’s participation in case conferences, and conferring with the clinical fellow concerning clinical treatment strategies.

           

Evaluation of Clinical Fellows:

The supervisor must conduct at least three formal evaluations using the Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory.  Supervisors must provide performance feedback to the clinical fellow throughout the clinical fellowship.  A specific time should be set aside for feedback sessions at the end of each segment.  The clinical fellow should prepare for the feedback sessions by reviewing the skills on the CFSI-SLP Rating Form.

 

Clinical Fellowship Report:

Upon completion of the clinical fellowship, a conference must be held to provide the clinical fellow the opportunity to discuss the evaluation with the supervisor.  No later than 4 weeks after the clinical fellowship is completed, the clinical fellow and the clinical fellowship supervisor must sign, date, and submit to the National Office for review by the CCB, a Clinical Fellowship Report and the CFSI-SLP rating form reflecting the three formal evaluations A separate CF Report must be submitted for each change of site, supervisor, or work schedule that may have occurred during the CFY.

            

During the students’ final semester, access to the ASHA Membership and Certification Handbook is provided to each student.  Procedures for applying for membership and certification are reviewed by the graduate advisor prior to graduation.                    .

                       

 

LICENSURE FOR SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY IN ARKANSAS

Applicants for licensure must hold a master’s or doctoral degree in communicative disorders (speech-language pathology), meet the academic and clinical requirements for certification set by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, pass the National Examination in Speech-Language Pathology( minimum score 600),  and complete no less than 36 weeks of supervised, full-time, paid professional experience or its part-time equivalent. 

 

Within the first 30 days of employment, graduates must apply for provisional licensure by submitting the following items to the Licensure Board (Arkansas Board of Examiners in Speech Pathology & Audiology):

  • Completed, signed and notorized application form

  •  Application Fee ($100)

  • Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) Plan signed by a speech-language pathologist who holds a valid license in Speech-Language Pathology

Soon after these three items have been filed, the items listed below must be sent:

  •     Undergraduate transcript

  •     Graduate transcript

  •     Clinical hours summary

  •      Passing, original report from ETS for Praxis examination (600 or above)

*Any applicant for provisional licensure who has submitted the completed application form, the application fee, and the plan for completion of the paid professional experience signed by a supervisor who holds a valid Arkansas license in Speech-Language Pathology may legally practice until action is taken on the application at the next scheduled Board meeting.  The licensure board meets every other month: September, November, January, etc.

           

Within 30 days of completion of the CFY, licensees must notify the Licensure Board in writing.  Status will change from PROVISIONAL to full LICENSURE.  A provisional license is renewable annually, but will expire and shall not be renewed after 36 months from the initiation of the paid professional experiences. 

 

Refer to the Rules and Regulations or the Acts 121 of 1993, 826 of 1995 promulgated by the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at the ABESPA web site.  

 

For additional assistance contact:

            Betty Bass, Office Manager

            Arkansas Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

            101 East Capitol, Suite 211

            Little Rock, AR 72201

            (501) 682-9180

 

During students' last semester, rules and regulations for licensure are reviewed and application materials are distributed.

 

ARKANSAS TEACHER LICENSURE

An individual shall receive a license as a Speech-Language Pathologist from the Arkansas Department of Education when the individual has graduated with a Master’s Degree from an accredited speech-language pathology program and has passed the Praxis specialty examination with a minimum score of 600.

 

The Office of Professional Licensure at the Arkansas Department of Education is responsible for issuing teaching and administrative licenses for Arkansas public schools.  Individuals who have completed education programs at an accredited Arkansas college or university, and are seeking initial licensure should submit the following documents in a complete packet:

  • Complete application signed by the certifying officer at UCA

  • Official transcripts (undergraduate and graduate);

  • Education Testing Services Praxis scores (a provisional license is available to applicants who have met all teacher education requirements other than the scores); and

  • Criminal background check

 Arkansas state law requires state and national background checks be completed for all persons seeking initial teacher licensure.  The Arkansas State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conduct the background checks. Fingerprint cards must be completed at any law enforcement agency.  The following items must be submitted to the Arkansas State Police:

                                               a notorized record check form;

                                               the fingerprint card;

                                               a check for $20.00 made payable to the Arkansas State Police; and

                                               a check for $24.00 made payable to the Arkansas State Police for the national check.

 

            The background check should be completed during the student’s last semester.

 

During the last semester, students will receive instructions on the completion of the teaching certificate application form.  The completed form and official undergraduate transcripts can be sent to Ken Vaughn, UCA certifying officer.  He will verify the application, attach a UCA transcript and submit to the Department of Education.