Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Policies and Procedures 

Clinical Sequence

• By the end of the first semester of graduate study, students are required to complete at least 25 hours of clinical observation with a speech-language pathologist who holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) and has completed the ASHA-required two hours of continuing education in supervision.  Continued observation of SLPs and other disciplines throughout the entire graduate program is encouraged

• Students who have completed CSD 360 and CSD 362L at the undergraduate level are required to take 9 credit hours of clinical practicum. Those who have not completed CSD 360 and CSD 362L at the undergraduate level are required to take 12 credit hours of clinical practicum, starting with a 2-credit clinical methods course (CSD 500) and a 1-credit Clinical Methods Lab (CSD 500L). The Clinical Methods Lab includes the provision of therapy to one client over one semester in the on-campus clinic under the supervision of a Nazareth University clinical educator. 

• All incoming students will be required to complete a 1-credit Initial Clinical Competency Experience (ICCE) providing therapy to two individual clients and a small group under the supervision of a Nazareth University clinical educator. Upon successful completion of ICCE, students will be required to complete at least 3 clinical placements (one in early intervention/preschool, one with school-aged children, and one with adults).
  Note: students completing the TSSLD will also be required to complete a separate student teaching experience (CSD 565). Part-time clinical placements (credit-bearing or non-credit-bearing) may also be included.

• Each clinical placement will be associated with between one and three credits. The number of credit hours linked to each clinical placement is determined by the Graduate Practicum Coordinator (GPC), based on practicum parameters and individual student program plans.  This allows students to gain credit-based clinical experience with populations across the lifespan and across disorders, inclusive of assessment and treatment. Experience with culturally diverse populations is considered an essential component of students' clinical education. Non-credit-bearing opportunities may also be added to the student’s plan to ensure experience across disorder areas and across the lifespan.

• Every student's clinical plan is determined in consultation with the GPC and the Graduate Program Director (GPD), with consideration of the student’s interests and career goals.  The practicum sequence is developmental in nature and is intentionally coordinated with academic coursework to support and promote clinical growth. Students must demonstrate adequate competencies consistent with the developmental skills expected at the graduate level to complete their clinical sequence.

• Participation in clinical practicum requires that graduate students demonstrate the knowledge and skills, and professional and ethical behaviors necessary to ensure the welfare of the clients.  Students should be familiar with and comply with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Code of Ethics.

Requirements/Policies

• Students must submit an updated resume to the GPC prior to each off-campus practicum.

• Daily travel of up to one hour to clinical practicum sites may be required. It may be necessary to consider practicum locations outside the immediate Rochester area, especially for health-related placements. Be prepared to explore locations that would be possible (areas where relatives/friends live; areas with future job prospects, etc.). 

• Work and personal obligations should not interfere with students' completion of clinical practicums. The GPC will work closely with students to try to accommodate extenuating circumstances if needed. 

• Part-time students often must take a leave of absence from daytime work sites during at least one semester. It is generally not possible to complete all practicum requirements during the summers only or on a completely part-time basis. 

• Keep in mind that certain settings may have specific course prerequisites, length of practicum, and other expectations that students must fulfill. These requirements may be over and above the typical program of study.

• Off-campus practicums do not necessarily follow the Nazareth University academic calendar; therefore, students must coordinate with the Graduate Practicum Coordinator prior to scheduling non-programmatic events (e.g., vacations). 

Expectations for all Students

• Attend the mandatory Graduate Practicum meeting each semester that you register for an off-campus practicum (excluding student teaching).

• Review the Graduate Practicum Handbook in detail and follow all the policies and procedures outlined within it.

• Use Calipso (web-based clinical management system) to:

• Record all clinical hours throughout each semester, submitting hours for approval at least weekly

• Complete mid-term and final self-evaluation for all 500L and ICCE experiences only

• Complete Supervisor Feedback Forms at the end of each semester 

• Upload compliances (HIPAA, Bloodborne Pathogens, etc.) and other clinic-related documents as instructed 

Clinical hours requirements 

• Students are required to earn a minimum of 400 total clinical hours by the end of their program. Most students will accrue more hours in order to demonstrate required competencies in evaluation and treatment across the nine clinical domains. In most cases, there are no specific minimums required for each domain (see exceptions below),  it is expected that some degree of experience is demonstrated in all areas, reflecting entry-level competence. 

• Students must earn at least 25 observation hours, which can be from both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

• 325 of the 400 clinical hours must be completed at the graduate level.

• At least 65 direct contact hours are required in speech-language screening/assessment activities (NOTE: this excludes hearing screening/assessment).

• At least 10 direct contact hours in hearing assessment (e.g. hearing screenings and/or audiological evaluations) are required.

• Students are expected to accrue hours that reflect a breadth of experiences across the nine clinical domains. Coding of hours by area and type of service is the primary responsibility of the student and should reflect time spent addressing formal goal-based needs as well as other needs that are addressed more informally.

• Students must be proactive and communicate any questions and concerns to the clinical educator and/or the Graduate Practicum Coordinator as early as possible.

Grading of Clinical Experiences

• Calipso ratings will be used to help determine a letter grade for each practicum experience and to demonstrate clinical competency.

  • NOTE: Earning a designation of “Not Met” in Calipso on any one or more of the items below (particularly the highlighted items) may result in a grade below a B in that practicum experience, regardless of the other ratings/letter grade on the evaluation.

1. Demonstrates openness and responsiveness to clinical supervision and suggestions

2. Personal appearance meets expectations for the clinical setting

3. Displays organization and preparedness for all clinical sessions

4. Practices the principles of universal precautions to prevent the spread of infectious and contagious diseases (CAA 3.8B)

5. Differentiates service delivery models based on practice sites (e.g., hospital, school, private practice) (CAA 3.1.1B - Accountability)

6. Explains healthcare landscape and how to facilitate access to services in the healthcare sector (CAA 3.1.1B - Accountability)

7. Explains educational landscape and how to facilitate access to services in the educational sector (CAA 3.1.1B - Accountability)

8. Identifies and acknowledges the impact of both implicit and explicit bias in clinical service delivery and actively explores individual biases and how they relate to clinical services (CAA 3.4B)

9. Identifies and acknowledges the impact of how their own set of cultural and linguistic variables affects clients/patients/students' care (CAA 3.4B) [?]

10. Identifies and acknowledges the impact cultural and linguistic variables of the individual served may have on delivery of effective care (CAA 3.4B) [?]

11. Identifies and acknowledges the interaction of cultural and linguistic variables between caregivers and the individual served (CAA 3.4B) [?]

12. Identifies and acknowledges the social determinants of health and environmental factors for individuals served and how these determinants relate to clinical services (CAA 3.4B) [?]

13. Identifies and acknowledges the impact of multiple languages. Explores approaches to address bilingual/multilingual individuals requiring services, including understanding the difference in cultural perspectives of being d/Deaf and acknowledge Deaf cultural identities. (CAA 3.4B)

14. Recognizes that cultural and linguistic diversity exists among various groups (including d/Deaf and hard of hearing individuals) and fosters the acquisition and use of all languages (verbal and nonverbal), in accordance with individual priorities and needs (CAA 3.4B)

15. Engages in self-assessment to improve effectiveness in the delivery of clinical services (CAA 3.1.6B)

Remediation: Remediation will be required when clinical competency has not been established. 

• • Earning below a B (including B-) as a midterm practicum grade is considered below competency. When this occurs,  a clinical performance plan may be put in place to support student success and outline expectations for the remainder of the semester.  The student will be required to sign a memorandum of understanding detailing the expectations for successfully meeting this plan.  

  • Earning below a B (including B-) as a final practicum grade is considered below competency and will require an additional clinical practicum in a similar setting with a similar clientele that addresses the area(s) that fell below competency. This counts as one major assessment remediation when tracking the total number of remediations across the program (see Academic Policies and Procedures section).