Clinical Fellowship Year (CF)

For students in the MedSLP Program, the Clinical Fellowship takes place during the third and final year of the program, requiring four quarters to complete in accordance with ASHA standards. The goal of including the CF in the graduate program, is to enhance the students’ transition from the academic environment to a professional setting. To prepare for the clinical fellowship year, designated faculty collaborate with and assist students in identifying and applying for open positions, and finding a CF mentor.

During the CF, students also participate in a Clinical Forum with faculty and peers. The Clinical Forum provides structured learning opportunities across a variety of topics related to the practice of medical speech-language pathology. Through the Clinical Forum activities and discussions, students will also benefit from consultation and mentoring by faculty throughout the entire year of professional training and development. The combination of the CF experience and the Clinical Forum participation provides an enriched, unique final year.

ASHA Clinical Fellowship Requirements

The CF is one component of ASHA's requirements for earning the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) maintains that academic and practicum experiences alone are not sufficient preparation for an individual to function as an independent, competent professional providing high quality care in speech-language pathology. Therefore, all applicants for the Certificates of Clinical Competence (CCC) are required to successfully complete a clinical fellowship (CF) in addition to the required academic and practicum experiences and the national examination in speech-language pathology.

The CF is an important transitional phase between supervised graduate-level practica and the independent delivery of services. Students are eligible to work as a clinical fellow once all Master’s program didactic and clinical requirements are completed.

Clinical fellows work as employees under the supervision of an ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologist and mentor. Per ASHA, during the CF year individuals will focus on:

• development of a total commitment to quality speech, language, and hearing services
  
• integration and application of theoretical knowledge gained in academic training
  
• evaluation of individual strengths and limitations
  
• refinement of clinical skills
  

Designated faculty will assist students in identifying possible CF sites. Note: Each state has its own licensure rules regarding requirements for persons completing a clinical fellowship in speech-language pathology; this means that some preferred sites may not be available. Before beginning a clinical fellowship, designated faculty and graduate students will determine the state licensing agency requirements for persons completing a clinical fellowship in speech-language pathology. Some states use a different designation for the clinical fellowship (e.g., Required Professional Employment, Supervised Professional Experience, etc.).

Most states require clinical fellows to register with the state licensing agency, obtain a provisional or temporary license/permit, and/or file a clinical fellowship plan. The addresses and phone numbers of the state regulatory agencies are on ASHA's Web site. Completing the clinical fellowship without also meeting the state requirements may jeopardize one’s ability to practice as an SLP.