Speech-Language Pathology

Our Speech-Language Pathology Degree Programs

The Speech-Language Pathology degree provides an engaging learning environment characterized by academic education and clinical experiences. Academic coursework will provide a foundation for understanding human communication and communication disorders. Clinical experiences will focus on describing speech and language characteristics and implementing speech and language therapy.

Students who complete either the clinical or non-clinical track will have the necessary prerequisites to apply to an accredited Master's degree program. Completion of the SLP program at Columbia College does not guarantee acceptance into a Master's degree program.

Clinical observations and two semesters of clinical practicum are required to complete the clinical track. This requires some availability during normal business hours (M-F 7 am-6 pm) (the equivalent of approximately 16 working hours per week). If this is not possible, students can complete the BA in SLP through the non-clinical track.

What is Speech-Language Pathology? Hear it from the professionals or attend one of our Virtual Open House events.

Highlights

• SLP-As work under the direct supervision of a licensed, certified Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP).
• Students are provided with hands-on experiences through clinical observations and clinical practicum and learn how to screen patients with speech, language, and hearing impairments and implement treatment plans developed by licensed/certified SLPs. 
• High job placement rate—92%
• 85% acceptance rate for graduates who applied to graduate programs over the past three years. 
• Students received the 2019 SCICU Undergraduate Student/Faculty Research Award
• On-campus or online delivery of coursework

I feel very prepared for graduate school and working due to the opportunity to earn 116 hours of direct therapy with clients of various abilities.

Abigail Tempel '19

After Graduation

Licensure

Completion of the clinical track will prepare you for a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLP-A) license in South Carolina. Our clinical track includes the prerequisites necessary to apply to an accredited graduate program. You will need to obtain an advanced degree in Speech-Language Pathology to become a licensed, certified Speech-Language Pathologist. Our coursework will fully prepare you to take the next step in the process.

Learn more about:

• SLP-A licensure in South Carolina
• SLP-A licensure in other states, see the Labor and Licensure Board website for that state
• SLP-A certification through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Career Opportunities

Speech-Language Pathologist was ranked by US News and World Report (2020) as #6 in Best Healthcare Jobs and #8 in 100 Best Jobs.

Employment of speech-language pathologists is projected to grow 27 percent from 2018 to 2028 (Bureau of Labor Statistics), much faster than the average for all occupations. As the population grows older, there will be more instances of health conditions that can cause speech, language, and/or swallowing impairments, such as strokes or dementia.

Speech-Language Pathologists
Median Pay (Master’s degree): $77,510
Job Outlook 2018-2028: Projecting 27% growth 

Job Placements

Recent graduates employed by:

• All on Board Speech, LLC, Columbia, SC
• Lighthouse Therapeutics, LLC, Lugoff, SC
• Palmetto Early Beginnings, LLC, Columbia, SC
• Children’s Chatter, LLC, Chapin, SC
• Therapy Solutions, LLC, Aiken, SC
• SpeakEasy Therapy Factory Speech-Language & Swallowing Services, LLC, Blythewood, SC

Acceptance into Graduate Programs

Our 2019 graduates who applied to graduate programs have an 85% acceptance and were accepted to the following graduate programs:

• Loyola University Maryland
• Francis Marion University
• South Carolina State University
• Our Lady of the Lake University
• University of South Carolina
• Emerson University
• Nova Southeastern University
• Florida State University

The professors challenged me to perform beyond what I thought I was capable of and now I am graduating and trying to decide between two job offers.

Latarsha Russell '19

Speech-Language Pathology Areas of Study

Bachelor of Arts Degree

The Speech-Language Pathology degree course requirements are identical for undergraduate and online program students. Learn about the classes we offer and areas you can focus on when you study Speech-Language Pathology. 

• Speech-Language Pathology, Clinical Track, BA (Undergraduate & Online Program)
• Speech-Language Pathology, Non-Clinical Track, BA (Undergraduate & Online Program)
• Speech-Language Pathology, Minor (Undergraduate Program)
• Speech-Language Pathology Leveling Certificate (Undergraduate & Online Program)
  The Speech-Language Pathology Leveling Certificate is designed for individuals who have completed or are pursuing a bachelor’s degree in an area other than Communication Sciences and Disorders or Speech-Language Pathology. Completion of the certificate does not result in a degree, does not include clinical practicum, does not guarantee acceptance to a graduate program, and students who complete this program will not be eligible to apply for SLP-Assistant Licensure in South Carolina. However, most graduate programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders require these undergraduate prerequisite courses.
• Program Clinical & Academic Handbook

Social

Instagram: @ccslpprogram

Facebook: SLP Facebook Group

Students Awards, Research & Faculty

To provide a broad understanding of the nature, prevention, and treatment of communication disorders we ensure that you will receive the best training and classroom experience to prepare you for practical application in the field.

Through a variety of experiences and academic coursework, you will be prepared to serve a culturally diverse society in various employment settings.

Student Awards and Achievements

Abigail Tempel 2020, South Carolina Speech and Hearing Association Jennifer Mungo Student of the Year Award Recipient

Alexis Lawton 2019, South Carolina Speech and Hearing Association Sharonda Coleman-Singleton Scholarship Recipient

Abigail Tempel and Dr. AnnMarie C. Knight, 2019 SCICU Undergraduate Student/Faculty Research Program Award
Neuroanatomy and Neuroscience Education in Speech-Language Pathology: Opinions of Practicing Clinicians

Bethany Stokes and Dr. AnnMarie C. Knight,  2019 SCICU Undergraduate Student/Faculty Research Program Award
Improving Communication Between Hospitality Service Personnel and Persons with Aphasia: A Pilot Study 

Faculty Mentored Research

2019 ASHA Convention, Orlando, FL, Nov 20-24

• Knight, AM, Sendler, B, Lawton, A, Comeau, C, & Barrineau, M (2019).  Enhancing the undergraduate experience through experiential learning.  Seminar, ASHA Convention, Orlando, FL, Nov 2019.
• Knight, AM, Basilakos, A, Tempel, A, Guardino, K, & Barrineau, M (2019). Neuro (neuroanatomy & neuroscience) education in speech-language pathology.  Seminar,ASHA Convention, Orlando, FL, Nov 2019.

2019 Southern Regional Honors Conference, Memphis, TN, March 2019

• Tempel, A. & Knight, A.M. (2019). Neuroscience Education in Speech-Language Pathology.  What Does it Look Like? Southern Regional Honors Conference (poster). March, Memphis, TN.

2019 SCSHA Convention, Greenville, FL Feb 2-9

• Knight, A.M., Lawton, A., Comeau, C., & Sendler, B. (2019) Experiential Learning, Evidence-Based Practice, and Undergraduate Education in Speech-Language Pathology (poster). South Carolina Speech and Hearing Association. February, Greenville, NC.
• Knight, A.M., Basilakos, A., Guardino, K., & Tempel, A. (2019). Neuroscience Education in Speech-Language Pathology.  What Does it Look Like? (poster).  South Carolina Speech and Hearing Association. February, Greenville, NC. 
• Knight, A.M., Prescott, B., Russell, L., & Guardino, K. (2019).  Talkin’ Tots: A Smartphone Application for Parent Education (poster).  South Carolina Speech and Hearing Association. February, Greenville, NC.

2018 ASHA Convention, Boston, MA, Nov

• Comeau, C., Lawton, A., & Knight, A.M. (2018).  Experiential Learning in Undergraduate Speech Pathology Education: Language and Literacy in an Elementary School (poster).  American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.  November, Boston, MA.
• Sendler, B. & Knight, A.M. (2018). Experiential Learning in Undergraduate Speech Pathology Education: Cognitive Stimulation Activities for Adults with Dementia (poster).  American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.  November, Boston, MA.

Honors Program Students:

• Bailey Sendler, graduated 2019
• Abigail Tempel
• Rachel Gillette
• Rebecca Eubanks
• Rachell Hargelrode
• Mary Cate Baker

Faculty/Instructors

AnnMarie C. Knight, PhD, CCC-SLP
Assistant Professor, Program Chair
BA, University of South Florida, MA and PhD, University of Florida
Areas of expertise: adult dysphagia, acquired neurogenic disorders, scholarship of teaching and learning

Jill Eversmann, MS, CCC-SLP
Academic and Clinical Faculty
BA, James Madison University, MS, Towson University
Areas of expertise: sign language, language development, children with hearing loss, early intervention

Alexandra Basilakos Kennedy, PhD, CCC-SLP
Adjunct Academic Faculty
BA, University of South Carolina, MA, University of Georgia, PhD, University of South Carolina
Areas of expertise: Assessment and treatment of adult neurogenic communication disorders, neuroimaging, research and statistical methods 

Brittany N. Brown, MA, CCC-SLP, NBCT
Adjunct Academic Faculty
BA, Speech-Language Pathology, Columbia College
MA, Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology, South Carolina State University
Areas of expertise: Autism, Assistive Technology, Alternative Augmentative Communication 

Laurel E. Hafner, MSP
Adjunct Academic Faculty
BA and MSP, University of South Carolina
Areas of expertise: elementary education, early childhood development, early intervention

Rachel B. Raper MSP, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert AVT
Adjunct Academic Faculty
BA, Clemson University, MSP, University of South Carolina
Areas of expertise: certified in Auditory Verbal Therapy

Rolanda Staley, MA, CCC-SLP
Adjunct Clinical Faculty
BA and MA, South Carolina State University 
Areas of expertise: preschool language development

Erica Taylor, MS, CCC-SLP
Adjunct Academic Faculty
BA, Wake Forest University, MS, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Areas of expertise: dysphagia, diagnostics, laryngology, head and neck cancer/total laryngectomy, alaryngeal speech

Elizabeth Pierce, MSP, CCC/SLP
Adjunct Clinical Faculty
BA, Presbyterian College, MSP, University of South Carolina, 2007
Areas of expertise: early intervention, child language development

Leila N. Bressler, MEd., CCC-SLP
Adjunct Clinical Faculty
BSEd, University of Georgia, MA, Georgia State University
Areas of expertise: early Intervention, pediatric feeding disorders, child language development

Julie Porth Smith, MCD, CCC-SLP
Adjunct Academic/Clinical Faculty
BA, Columbia College, MCD, University of South Carolina
Areas of expertise: Autism, Assistive Technology, Alternative Augmentative Communication, Early Language Development

Ebony Means ClinScD, CCC-SLP
Adjunct Clinical Faculty
BA, General Communication Disorders, Winthrop University
MA, Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology, South Carolina State University
ClinScD, Speech-Language Pathology, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions 
Areas of expertise: phonological intervention, speech sound disorders, language development and literacy

Virtual Open Houses & SLP Day Events

Open Houses

Our SLP Program Chair, Dr. Knight, SLP Program faculty and SLP Program students will share information about the field of Speech-Language Pathology and the Columbia College SLP Program and will answer your questions. 

Dates and Times: Virtual Open Houses will be held the first Thursday of every month September through June from 4:30–5:30 pm. Fill out our registration form to register for an upcoming date that works best for you:

• November 5, 2020
• December 3, 2020
• January 7, 2021
• February 4, 2021
• March 4, 2021
• April 1, 2021
• May 6, 2021
• June 3, 2021

Registration FormJoin Via Zoom   

SLP Virtual Open House Event Schedule

4:30–4:45 pm: "What is SLP?" and an overview of the CC SLP Program Chair, Dr. Knight and Introduction of SLP Program faculty 
4:45–5:00 pm: Program overview from current CC SLP students
5:00–5:10 pm: Recent graduates who are working as SLP-As
5:10–5:15 pm: Admissions Officer—Meda Gause
5:15–5:30 pm: Q & A

For more information contact AnnMarie Knight

SLP Day Events

SLP Day is an event for high school students, community college students, and anyone looking for a career change to learn more about the field of Speech-Language Pathology and the Columbia College SLP Program.  

Dates and Times: SLP Day will be held once during the spring semester.  

Registration Link Coming Soon

• Friday, March 12, 2021, 10 am–1 pm

SLP Day Event Schedule

9:30–10:00 am: Meet and Greet with current CC SLP students and faculty
10:00–10:30 am: "What is SLP?" and an overview of the CC SLP Program Chair, Dr. Knight and Introduction of SLP Program faculty 
10:30–10:45 am: Program overview from current CC SLP students
10:45–11:00 am: Recent SLP program graduates who are working as SLP-As and/or enrolled in a master’s degree program
11:00–11:15 am: Q & A with Students and Faculty
11:15–11:30 am: Restroom Break
11:30 am–1:00 pm: Lunch in the Dining Hall (provided) and Campus Tour

For more information contact AnnMarie Knight