Clinical Observations
Completion of 25 clinical observation hours is one of the required steps towards becoming a professional speech-language pathologist. The American Speech Language & Hearing Association (ASHA) governs the requirements for certification. Read about the ASHA 25 hour requirement in 2014 Standards for Certification in Speech Language Pathology, Standard V-C*
The 25 hours of clinical observation with a certified speech language pathologist or audiologist should be accrued as an undergraduate CSD major or as part of the leveling program before applying to graduate school. Most students should be able to complete the 25 hour observation requirement by completing academic class assignments and/or observations at the UM DeWit RiteCare Speech Language & Hearing Clinic.
Tracking and Forms
- Observation Report Form
- Observation Record Form
- HIPAA PowerPoint and review the UM policy manual on HIPAA.
- Complete the UM CITI Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative course: Information Privacy and Security (IPS) for CSD clinicians and graduate students Q7.
- Complete the Verified Credentials Background Check.
- Incoming Graduate students please use code: YYBHJ-92447 for your background checks.
Reminder: Retain all original paperwork. You will need it when you apply to graduate school and you may need when you apply for ASHA membership and state license.
Observation Opportunities
DeWit RiteCare Speech, Language & Hearing Clinic
- CSD observation guidelines for the DeWit RiteCare Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic
- Information and the procedures for obtaining hours at the UM DeWit Clinic contact professor Closson (Jennifer.Closson@mso.umt.edu)
Master Clinician Network (MCN)
You must complete the MCN "Summary of Observation Report" for each observation conducted through the Master Clinician program. You then can request approval from either your academic professor, the Clinical Externship, or Director of Clinical Education. Once all MCN hours are completed you can request a certificate of completion from the Clinical Externship Coordinator.