As the number of people who require Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is growing and as technology is evolving, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) must be up to date on current practices surrounding AAC. Communicating with one’s family, friends, and peers is a basic need for a human person. However, not everyone is able to verbally communicate with others. People with complex communication needs are typically unable to communicate with others via oral communication and therefore rely on AAC to communicate with those around them. Since almost 4 million people within the United States have complex communication needs, it is crucial that all SLPs have taken an AAC course and obtained clinical competencies within this discipline to be knowledgeable on how to provide intervention services to clients who use AAC. This research study analyzed Missouri’s nine speech-language pathology graduate programs to determine if they offer courses in AAC and if they are required or elective classes. All nine schools, which include Saint Louis University, University of Central Missouri, Truman State University, Rockhurst University, University of Missouri, Maryville University, Fontbonne University, Missouri State University, and Southeast Missouri State University, both offer and require students to take an AAC course. While Missouri’s graduate programs for speech-language pathology offer and require their students to take a course on AAC, 18-38% of programs across the country fail to offer this type of class to students. It should be required that all graduate programs, like Missouri’s, train students on how to serve clients who utilize AAC.

Erin Losin would like to thank her faculty sponsor Saneta Thurmon for their support of this project.