Online Learning Options for Speech Therapy Aides

While there is no specific career path to become a speech therapy aide, earning a bachelor's degree in communication disorders, speech and hearing sciences, communicative sciences and disorders, or a related field may prepare someone for the job. These degree options may be pursued completely online at some schools.

How to Become a Speech Therapy Aide

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) reports that training and education requirements for speech therapy aides can vary by state, and that their area of clinical care is more restricted than that of other support staff, like speech therapy assistants (www.asha.org). Speech therapy aides typically work under the supervision of licensed or certified speech-language pathologists. Speech therapy aides may also be known as communication aides.

Online Bachelor's Degree in Communication Disorders

Students who want to pursue a career as a speech therapy aide online can enroll in a 4-year bachelor's degree program in communication disorders. Common class topics include assessing and treating children with communicative disorders; speech, language and hearing development; and language science. There may also be required coursework in statistics, which can include a math prerequisite. Students who have already earned an associate's degree may be able to transfer into a bachelor's degree program, although not all credits may be accepted.

Self-Arranged Study and Exams

Communication disorders majors may have an observation requirement. For online students, this kind of study may be individually arranged with the instructor. This observation experience can take place locally near the student's home community.
When online students need to take a test, they may have to arrange for the exam in advance. Often, schools require that an exam be proctored by someone from a list of approved individuals, such as a librarian or county agent. Schools may have stringent requirements for the rules and procedures that must be followed when online students take a proctored exam off campus.

Technology Skills and Requirements

Schools that offer an online program in communication disorders typically expect that students have some familiarity with computers, sending and receiving e-mail, and using the Internet. Classes may be conducted through an online course management system like Blackboard. The ability to send, receive and access PDF course materials may be required. Some schools have other technical requirements, such as a particular kind of computer operating system.

Learning Environment

Some schools that offer online bachelor's degree programs in communication disorders limit class sizes, even though students are participating in an asynchronous learning environment. Part-time or full-time study may be possible. Some programs do not permit students to mix on-campus and online courses.

Continuing Education

Speech therapy aides who hold a bachelor's degree in communication disorders or a related field may return to school for a 3-year online or hybrid master's degree program in speech-language pathology. It typically satisfies the educational requirements for becoming a state-licensed or ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist, although there may be additional steps in the licensing or certification process. Online students sometimes have to participate in periodic on-campus clinical programs as well as local clinical training.