Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

This graduate certificate is designed to prepare highly qualified professionals to provide Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) services for children, youth and adults with complex communication needs (CCN) in school and community settings within the context of an interdisciplinary team. Through participation in coursework that includes concurrent field experiences, candidates will acquire working knowledge of best practice in assessment and intervention to support communication through application of AAC systems for children, youth and adults to access learning, socialization and vocational opportunities in society.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Program Website

Admission to the AAC Certificate

Current graduate students enrolled in master's degrees at SF State in Communicative Disorders, Special Education and related fields need to make an appointment with Dr. Laura Epstein or Dr. Gloria Soto to add the certificate.

Applicants not enrolled at SF State must meet the following requirements:

  • Bachelor’s Degree: must be posted by the time student enters program
  • GPA: 3.0 overall in baccalaureate coursework
  • Written English Proficiency Requirement (WEP).  (This may be waived for applicants with a master’s degree).

The application process includes the following steps:

  • Apply through CSU Mentor.
  • Submit a Department application according to published deadlines for Special Education and Communicative Disorders Programs (Select Graduate Certificate in AAC).

Students who enter the certificate program and later gain admission to the M.S. Degree program in Communicative Disorders or M.A. Degree program in Special Education will be able to count SPED 743 and SPED 746 (6 units) toward the master's degree if taken within the timelines specified by the university graduate studies policies.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Graduate Certificate Curriculum

Coursework for classified graduate students in Communicative Disorders
Course #  Course Title  Units
  Semester I: All Classes taken concurrently  
 SPED 743  Issues in Augmentative and Alternative Communication 3
 CD 880  Advanced Communication Therapy 2
 CD 713  Seminar in Therapy 1
     
  Semester II: All classes taken concurrently  
SPED 746 Teaching Students with Physical and Health Impairments 3
CD 881 or CD 715 Internships in Communicative Disorders 3
  Total Units 12

 

Coursework for SPED classified graduate students and all other candidates
Course #  Course Title  Units
  Semester I: All classes taken concurrently  
 SPED 743  Issues in Augmentative and Alternative Communication 3
 SPED 601 Observation and Participation in SPED 3
     
  Semester II: All classes taken concurrently  
SPED 746 Teaching Students with Physical and Health Impairments 3
CD 881 Internships in Communicative Disorders 3
  Total Units 12