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One in six Americans has a communication disorder. These disorders affect infants, children, adults and the elderly. A communication disorder may affect a person’s ability to pronounce sounds intelligibly, to understand what is being said, to process and remember spoken information, to use appropriate vocabulary and grammar, to speak fluently without stuttering, or to use his or her voice appropriately. Accidents, illnesses, birth defects and substance abuse can all contribute to communication disorders. These disorders isolate people from their friends, family and the community and limit job and educational opportunities. Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (SLPA) help these individuals to recover their ability to speak, understand and interact with others.

Graduates of the SLPA program will serve as support personnel to perform tasks prescribed, directed and supervised by certified speech-language pathologists. 

When you enroll in the SPLA program at Mitchell Technical Institute, you spend two years (four semesters) in the program.  Classes encompass a variety of areas like speech development, phonetics, voice and diction, communication disorders, child development, alternative communication, clinical management and much more.

The program culminates in a clinical fieldwork experience allowing you to work in an education environment under the direction of a speech-language pathologist.

At the conclusion of the program, you will earn an Associate of Applied Science degree and you will be prepared to:

• Assist the speech-language pathologist with speech-language and hearing screenings
• Assist with informal documentation as directed by the speech-language pathologist
• Follow documented treatment plans or protocols developed by the supervising speech-language pathologist
• Document client performance (e.g., tallying data for the speech-language pathologist to use; preparing charts, records, and graphs) and report this information to the supervising speech-language pathologist
• Assist the speech-language pathologist during assessment of clients
• Assist with clerical duties such as preparing materials and scheduling activities as directed by the speech-language pathologist
• Perform checks and maintenance of equipment
• Assist with departmental operations (scheduling, record keeping, safety/ maintenance of supplies and equipment)
• Exhibit compliance with regulations, reimbursement requirements, and speech-language pathologist assistants' responsibilities*

The MTI SLPA program meets the requirements allowing a graduate to apply for SLPA Licensure from the South Dakota Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology.

* Taken from “Job Responsibilities for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants” outlined by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Task Force on Support Personnel.

Are you seeking a state credential as an SLPA?

If you hold a CSD Bachelor’s degree and you need a professional option, check out MTI’s online service. MTI’s award-winning program is affordable and is designed specifically for those who need clinical fieldwork hours required to practice as an SLPA. Just two classes and a supervised fieldwork* experience in your local area may allow you to obtain your state’s SLPA credential.**

Want to learn more? Download the brochure here. Email MTI department head/instructor Deb Flynn or call (605) 995-7184.

*Must complete a minimum 25 hours of observation of speech-language pathology services prior to enrolling in Clinical Fieldwork.




**It is a student’s responsibility to verify that MTI’s courses meet his or her state’s requirements for SLPA credential.

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant program also available online!