Speech-language pathologists in K-12 schools can advance their careers and update skills by enrolling in the nation’s first post-master’s certificate program designed specifically for school-based speech-language pathologists. You will gain graduate-level coursework hours that some school districts recognize when awarding pay increases beyond merit or experience.

By enhancing your skills, you will improve the quality of speech therapy services you can provide to your students. Coursework can also be counted toward professional development hours.

The 8-week courses are taught by certified speech-language pathologists who have significant experience in content areas highly sought for professional development by school-based speech-language pathologists. Selected coursework, a minimum of 10 hours, will be registered through the ASHA and can be counted toward the required professional development for speech-language pathologists. Students are permitted to enroll in one course without committing to the full certificate program, if desired.

To be eligible, you must have a master’s degree in speech-language pathology or in communication disorders from a program accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). You will learn contemporary, evidence-based practices you can use immediately, and you will increase your knowledge in specialty areas in the field of communication sciences and disorders.

The program is offered by the Communication Disorders program in the College of Education and Health Professions. You will gain a deep knowledge of communication disorders that can be used to facilitate critical thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration.

You Will Learn How To:

• Apply research to clinical practice
• Use resources and references to facilitate continuity of care within school and home settings
• Apply theory and practice related to assessment and treatment of literacy, fluency, augmentative and alternative communication, pediatric feeding and swallowing, and behavior management
• Interpret research and assessment results to make data-based decisions
• Identify effective augmentative and alternative communication options and interventions
• Describe and implement behavior management strategies

Courses

• CDIS 6103 - Literacy for Learning in Educational Settings
• CDIS 6203 - Advanced Assessment Intervention for Fluency Disorders
• CDIS 6303 - Effective Augmentative and Alternative Communication Services in Schools
• CDIS 6403 - Advanced Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Assessment Intervention
• CDIS 6503 - Behavior Management in Education Settings

Courses Count Toward a Specialist Degree

The post-master's certificate in advanced school-based speech-language pathology counts as a concentration in the Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in Curriculum and Instruction degree program.

Students must apply to both the post-master's certificate and Ed.S. programs.

Distinguish yourself academically and professionally by earning this post-master's degree. Build your overall curriculum and instruction skills with at least 15 hours of foundational courses, and develop specialty skills by completing at least 15 hours of concentration coursework.

Designed for Arkansas educators and beyond, this practitioner-focused program will equip you with the overall skills and knowledge needed to be an instructional leader in various educational settings. It also enables you to gain specific knowledge within your chosen concentration.

The Ed.S. program meets financial aid guidelines, allowing students to seek assistance. Consult an academic adviser prior to enrollment about requirements. For questions about applying to the program, email online@uark.edu.