2024-2025

Culturally Responsive Practice in Speech-Language Pathology, Graduate Certificate

Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders

College of Health and Human Services

Although this certificate's didactic work is primarily provided in an online teaching environment, to prepare students for clinical engagement, an in-person clinical practicum is required for CSD 604.

There is an acute shortage of Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) who can provide the medical and educational services needed for the growing population of individuals who need those services.  Moreover, there is an even greater shortage of SLPs with the training and clinical skills needed to provide effective and appropriate services for individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Although the career of SLP is growing, it is made up of 92% white, monolingual English-speaking clinicians, whereas the population in the U.S. is rapidly becoming more diverse with more than 20% speaking languages other than English. This certificate is intended to provide academic training and hands-on clinical experiences to current graduate students and to practicing SLPs to enable them to provide high-quality educational and medical services for individuals from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

All the courses needed to complete the certificate in Culturally Responsive Practice in SLP will be offered asynchronously online so that students in other cities or states can participate. This will also allow for practicing SLPs to participate in the coursework to earn additional training or the full certificate in culturally responsive practice. Students enrolled in the NAU MS program will be able to take some of these courses (without officially enrolling in the certificate) as electives. Because so few programs offer training with diverse populations, this certificate is geared toward the enrollment of students and postgraduate students from other programs.

Students enrolled in the certificate program will be required to complete 9 units of coursework and a 3-unit practicum (12 units total). The courses will teach content related to dual language development and disorders, assessment and intervention strategies for multilingual/multicultural individuals across the lifespan, cultural perspectives on intellectual and physical disability, sexual orientation and identity, and how to use evidence-based practice and a toolkit developed with expert faculty to use in practice with diverse populations. Hands-on/applied practicum experiences will provide opportunities to apply what they have learned under the supervision of the faculty who teach the courses.

This plan is available for students as of Fall 2025

    • Graduate certificate programs require a minimum of 12 credit hours. Many graduate certificate programs require more than 12 credit hours.
    • No more than one 400-level NAU course (3 - 4 units) may be used on a graduate certificate program.
    • No more than twenty-five percent of the units required for the certificate program may be transferred from another university.
    • A 400-level course (undergraduate course) completed at another university is not eligible for transfer credit.
    • A minimum grade point average of 3.0 must be achieved to obtain a graduate certificate. No more than three units of coursework with a Grade of "C" may be used in a certificate program.
    • A graduate student may pursue a graduate certificate concurrently with a graduate degree. Each graduate degree program must decide which, if any, certificate courses can be counted toward the graduate degree.
    • Students who are admitted to a graduate certificate program will be eligible for the official posting of the graduate certificate to their transcripts when all applicable coursework has been successfully completed and approved by the academic unit and the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.

  • Please be aware that federal financial aid is not available for some certificates if the certificate is pursued and completed as a stand-alone certificate (i.e., not completed concurrently with a degree program).  See the “Details” tab for additional information.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 12
Major GPA

Purpose Statement

The field of speech-language pathology (SLP) is a healthcare profession that requires a master's degree in the state of Arizona to practice clinically. Education for SLP includes coursework and practicum experience in any or all the following settings: university clinics, schools, hospitals (e.g., acute care, rehab, VA), skilled nursing facilities, and private practice. The range of communication and swallowing disorders treated by SLPs include conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, developmental language disorder, dyslexia, traumatic brain injury, stroke, motor disorder, and stuttering among many others. They make up part of the rehabilitation team along with physical and occupational therapists. Although the career of SLP is growing, it is made up of 92% white, monolingual English-speaking clinicians. The population in the U.S. is rapidly becoming more diverse with more than 20% speaking languages other than English.  Given these demographics, SLPS must be trained to work with individuals from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds so that they can provide high-quality, evidence-based practice for all their clients/patients.

All current graduate SLP students at NAU take the same courses except for the two electives. Currently, the department only has one elective course to offer. Creating this certificate or concentration in culturally responsive practice in the SLP field would create additional opportunities for students to take electives in the department. Students would be able to complete this certificate alongside and in the same amount of time that they complete the MS degree. Students completing this certificate will develop the knowledge and skills needed to provide effective services for all their clients/patients.  They will complete three academic courses and one clinical practicum that will offer knowledge and skills in the following areas:

  1. Processes of dual language development and language characteristics frequently observed in dual language learners.
  2. Identification of communication disorders using culturally sensitive methods and how to execute such methods to reduce cultural and linguistic bias.
  3. Ethical considerations and professional issues and their impact on assessment and treatment of individuals with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
  4. Recent research findings regarding language development in diverse populations (e.g., bilingual, intellectually disabled) with communication disorders of varied etiology. 
  5. Use of interventions for individuals who are differently abled including AAC, visual strategies/supports, discrete trial training, peer-mediated interventions, modeling, etc.
  6. Advocacy for clients to ensure they have access to appropriate assessments and interventions that meet their cultural and individual needs.
  7. Effective communication strategies that consider cultural differences during clinical interactions.
  8. Comprehensive speech-language assessment and intervention for transgender and gender non-conforming clients across cultures.
  9. Ethnographic interviewing, communication, and counseling strategies within the SLP scope of practice.

Having a highly sought-after certificate program would attract more students than we currently have applying to the program and increase the interest in our program from students who speak languages other than English or are from diverse backgrounds. Displaying that we can support diverse graduate SLP students will help us to train and retain students of color and inform all students how to work with culturally and linguistically diverse populations. This may also attract more first-generation graduate students or those who already know they want to work in certain geographic locations, such as the Navajo Nation. Increasing diversity in the SLP graduate program aligns with the goals of the university and brings multiple perspectives to the program, which ultimately benefits all students. Students who graduate with knowledge of culturally and linguistically responsive practice will bring better services to the populations they will serve in a variety of different educational, clinical, and healthcare settings. Coursework will prepare SLPs to use the least biased assessment practices with people who speak more than one language and to use evidence-based practice with all the individuals they serve. This will reflect positively on the program and attract more students. The online course option will attract students of different ages and levels of experience. The certificate would also be offered to practicing clinicians who have already completed their terminal degree in SLP to have additional training in culturally responsive practice and earn recognition for this additional knowledge, which represents knowledge and skills that are highly valued by current and future employers.

Student Learning Outcomes

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and course standards, students will learn the following competencies through participation in the required and elective coursework available to earn a culturally responsive practice certificate.

  • Standard IV-B
    • The applicant must have demonstrated knowledge of basic human communication and swallowing processes, including the appropriate biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, linguistic, and cultural bases. The applicant must have demonstrated the ability to integrate information pertaining to normal and abnormal human development across the life span. 
  • Standard IV-C
    • The applicant must have demonstrated knowledge of communication and swallowing disorders and differences, including the appropriate etiologies, characteristics, anatomical/physiological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates in the following areas: articulation; fluency; receptive and expressive language (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, prelinguistic communication and paralinguistic communication) in speaking, listening, reading, writing; Cognitive aspects of communication (attention, memory, sequencing, problem-solving, executive functioning); social aspects of communication (including challenging behavior, ineffective social skills, and lack of communication opportunities). 
  • Standard IV-D
    • For each of the areas specified in Standard IV-C, the applicant must have demonstrated current knowledge of the principles and methods of prevention, assessment, and intervention for people with communication and swallowing disorders, including consideration of anatomical/physiological, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates. 
  • Standard IV-E
    • The applicant must have demonstrated knowledge of standards of ethical conduct. 
  • Standard IV-F
    • The applicant must have demonstrated knowledge of processes used in research and of the integration of research principles into evidence-based clinical practice. 
  • Standard IV-H
    • The applicant must have demonstrated knowledge of entry-level and advanced certifications, licensure, and other relevant professional credentials, as well as local, state, and national regulations and policies relevant to professional practice.

In addition to the professionally provided learning standards, the following objectives will be highlighted within the certificate curriculum and practicum.

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the processes of dual language development and language characteristics frequently observed in dual language learners.
  • Discuss and explain how to appropriately identify communication disorders using culturally sensitive methods and how to execute such methods to reduce cultural and linguistic bias.
  • Describe and apply knowledge about ethical considerations and professional issues and their impact on the assessment and treatment of individuals with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
  • Describe recent research findings regarding language development in diverse populations (e.g., bilingual, intellectually disabled) with communication disorders of varied etiology. 
  • Understand and use interventions for individuals who are differently abled including AAC, visual strategies/supports, discrete trial training, peer-mediated interventions, modeling, etc.
  • Advocate for clients to ensure they have access to appropriate assessments and interventions that meet their cultural and individual needs.
  • Engage in effective communication strategies that consider cultural differences during clinical interactions.
  • Demonstrate understanding of comprehensive speech-language assessment and intervention for transgender and gender non-conforming clients across cultures. 
  • Demonstrate an understanding of ethnographic interviews, communication, and counseling strategies within the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) scope of practice.

Graduate Admission Information

  • The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.

    Admission requirements include the following:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.

    Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

Certificate Requirements

  • Take the following 12 units:

    • CSD 604, CSD 610, CSD 611, CSD 612 (12 units)

  • This certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Federal financial aid cannot be used if the certificate is completed as a stand-alone certificate.

Additional Information

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.