Nazareth Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Handbook

Clinical Policies

and Procedures

Clinical practicums are an integral part of a student’s overall experience in the speech-language pathology program. Students must maintain satisfactory performance in both clinical and academic coursework to remain in good standing with the University.

Students in the Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology program are expected to follow the policies and procedures outlined in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the Graduate Catalog and in the College of Interprofessional Health and Human Services policies to ensure academic progress and integrity. In some cases, standards for grading, academic/clinical warning, and dismissal may be more stringent than those outlined in the University catalog in order to meet program expectations and accreditation requirements established by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).

Clinical Sequence

Students must complete at least 25 hours of guided clinical observation with an ASHA-certified SLP (CCC-SLP) by the end of their first clinical semester. Continued observation of SLPs and other disciplines throughout the program is encouraged.
Students who completed SLH 360 and SLH 362L as undergraduates complete 9 practicum credits. Students without these courses complete 12 credits, including SLH 500 and SLH 500L, which involves supervised therapy in the on-campus clinic.
All incoming students complete a 1-credit Speech-Language Initial Clinical Experience (SLICE), providing therapy to individual clients and small groups under the supervision of a Nazareth University clinical educator.
After SLICE, students complete at least 3 clinical placements: early intervention/preschool, school-aged, and adult settings.
Clinical placements range from 1–4 credits and are assigned by the Graduate Practicum Coordinator (GPC) based on each student’s program plan and clinical needs.
Clinical experiences are designed to provide assessment and treatment experience across the lifespan, disorders, and diverse populations. Additional non-credit experiences may be required.
Clinical plans are developed with the GPC and Graduate Program Director (GPD) to support students’ interests, career goals, and developmental clinical growth alongside academic coursework.
Students must demonstrate appropriate clinical competencies, professionalism, and ethical behavior throughout practicum experiences and follow the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Code of Ethics.

Clinical Hours (400)

Minimum 400 total clinical hours required for graduation.
At least 25 observation hours required (undergraduate and/or graduate level).
At least 325 clinical hours must be completed at the graduate level.
Minimum 65 direct contact hours in speech-language screening/assessment (excluding hearing assessment).
Minimum 10 direct contact hours in hearing assessment (e.g., hearing screenings, audiological evaluations).
Clinical hours should reflect experience across all domains of practice.
- Fluency, Speech Production, Language, Cognition, Voice, Resonance, Feeding and Swallowing, Auditory Habilitation/Rehabilitation
Students are responsible for accurately coding and tracking their clinical hours.
Students should communicate questions or concerns to their clinical educator or the Graduate Practicum Coordinator as early as possible.

The hours indicated above are minimum expectations. Placements will not be reduced or removed from a student's plan when these areas are fulfilled.

Grading

Calipso ratings are used to determine practicum grades and clinical competency.

A “Not Met” rating on one or more competency items may result in a grade below a B and require remediation.
A midterm practicum grade below B (including B-) is considered below competency and may result in a clinical performance plan and signed expectations agreement.
A final practicum grade below B (including B-) is considered below competency and requires an additional practicum experience to address areas of need.
An additional practicum required for remediation counts as one major assessment remediation toward program limits.

Earning Guided Observation Hours (25)

Clinic Observation Hour Guidelines

Students must complete at least 25 hours of guided clinical observation with an ASHA-certified SLP (CCC-SLP) by the end of their first clinical semester. Continued observation of SLPs and other disciplines throughout the program is encouraged.

Observations can be earned in a variety of ways: (1) Simucase, (2) Nazareth University Speech-Language Clinic, (3) Community Sites

Requirements:

Students observe ASHA-certified SLPs who have completed a specialized supervision education training. You can verify if the individual you wish to observe is credentialed by visiting ASHA's verification website.
Observations must be guided, meaning there are debriefs, reflections, and/or journals analyzing what was observed. Students observing in the community or on campus need to complete a guided reflection log for each observation.
- If you use a simulation platform like Simucase (recommended) or Master Clinician, guided observations are embedded in the platform and additional documentation is not needed.
For in-person observations, collect the observation information and signature from the supervising SLP on the department's signature log.

Please visit this observation guidelines document for full descriptions.

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