AAC Graduate Certificate

Graduate Certificates are approved and awarded by the SF State Division of Graduate Studies. This AAC Graduate Certificate is designed to prepare highly qualified professionals to provide culturally-responsive Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) services for individuals with communication needs (CCN) in school and community settings. Candidates acquire specialized competence in the areas of (a) AAC assessment, (b) AAC intervention, (c) AAC collaboration and  teamwork, (d) literacy development through AAC and (e) continued professional development in AAC to support the language and literacy skills with children, youth and adults. Current graduate and post-baccalaureate students in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Special Education and related fields are encouraged to apply. Practicing professionals at the post-baccalaureate level may also apply to complete the AAC Graduate Certificate. This is an in-person program only.

Plan of Study and Requirements

The AAC Graduate Certificate program includes a sequence of two graduate AAC courses and integrated clinical, fieldwork and internship experiences for candidates to develop professional competencies in culturally responsive AAC practices.

AAC Certificate Curriculum

The AAC Certificate course and fieldwork sequence begins in the spring and includes a total of 12 credits.

Sample Curriculum for SLHS graduate students (Individual Plans upon Advisement)

SLHS Students Spring Semester

Spring Semester Course #

Course Title

Units

SPED 743

Issues in Augmentative and Alternative Communication

3

SLHS 880

Advanced Communication Therapy

2

SLHS 713

Seminar in Therapy

1
SLHS Students Fall Semester

Fall Semester Course #

Course Title

Units

SPED 746

Teaching Students with Physical and Other Health Impairments

3

SLHS 882

School Internship with AAC Focus

3 of 6

Total Units

12

Curriculum for SPED graduate students and all other candidates

SPED Students Spring Semester

Spring Semester Course #

Course Title

Units

SPED 743

Issues in Augmentative and Alternative Communication

3

SLHS 699, SPED 730 or equivalent

Independent Study or Student Teaching in AAC

3
SPED Students Fall Semester

Fall Semester Course #

Course Title

Units

SPED 746

Teaching Students with Physical and Other Health Impairments

3

SLHS 881, SPED 730 or equivalent

Fieldwork or Student Teaching with AAC Focus

3

Total Units

12

See SF State Bulletin for course descriptions (Go to the SF State Bulletin)

Applying for Admission

Currently Enrolled Graduate or Post-Baccalaureate Students

SF State students currently enrolled in graduate programs in SLHS, Special Education or a related field at SF State may apply in the first semester of graduate enrollment or thereafter. Please contact Dr. Nancy Robinson (nancyr@sfsu.edu) or Dr. Gloria Soto (gsoto@sfsu.edu) for an appointment to enroll.

Post-Baccalaureate Applicants

New applicants are required to meet requirements for graduate study at SF State that include the following:

  1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, or shall have completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by the appropriate campus authority;
  2. Be in good academic standing at the last college or university attended;
  3. Have a 3.0 GPA in their earned undergraduate degree or in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units completed, or have earned a post-baccalaureate degree; and
  4. Meet additional departmental requirements.

See the SF State Division of Graduate Studies for more information.

Apply to the University online via Cal State Apply.

Submit the Graduate Certificate Admission Application to the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, slhs@sfsu.edu  at any point in the fall semester.

Completing the AAC Certificate Program

  • Meet with the AAC Certificate coordinator at least once per semester to review certificate requirements, Nancy Robinson at nancyr@sfsu.edu or Gloria Soto at gsoto@sfsu.edu.
  • During the last semester prior to graduation, pay the fee for the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate online.
  • Complete and submit a Certificate Approved Program (CAP) form through DocuSign to the AAC Certificate Coordinator (Dr. Robinson or Dr. Soto).
  • Approved CAP forms will be reviewed and approved by the AAC Certificate Coordinator, Department Chairperson, and the Division of Graduate Studies.
  • Students who have successfully met all requirements will be awarded their SF State Graduate Certificate in AAC.

For more information regarding the AAC Graduate Certificate, contact Nancy Robinson, nancyr@sfsu.edu, or Gloria Soto, gsoto@sfsu.edu.