SLPA & SLP Mentor Programs

SLPA Student Supervision Program Overview

The SLPA Student Supervision Program provides a $500 stipend per semester to eligible Colorado school-based SLPs who supervise SLPA students placed through approved Colorado university programs. The program recognizes the time and effort SLPs dedicate to supervising future professionals and strengthening our educator workforce.

If you are interested in becoming a supervisor, please reach out to the university program coordinators for more information:

SLPA Certificate Program Contacts

• University of Northern Colorado - Email Fawn Gold 
• Colorado University at Boulder - Email Jen Marson-Parker
• Metropolitan State University - Email Sarah Beckman

Key Details

• Supervisors must be paired with a student through a Colorado university SLPA preparation program.
• Registration links and full details are emailed once placements are finalized (mid-November for spring; early May for fall).
• Supervisors must complete all CDE requirements before supervision begins to qualify for payment.

• Participation in the stipend program is optional. You are still welcome to supervise a student even if you choose not to complete the required CDE paperwork and steps; however, you won’t be eligible to receive the stipend if you do not complete the necessary paperwork before starting your supervision. 

Eligibility Requirements

Supervisors must:

• Hold and submit a copy of a current CDE license and ASHA certification.
• Complete the CDE SLPA Supervision in Schools course and submit a copy of the certificate.
• Attend a mandatory paperwork session and submit all required forms:
  • Statement of Work (SOW)
  • HR survey
  • W9
• CDE must receive verification from the university confirming completion of the practicum and supervision requirements.

Compensation

• $500 per student per semester (limit: one student per supervisor).
  • Co-supervisors receive $250 each. Co-supervision must be formally approved by the university program and mutually agreed upon by both supervisors. 
  • Cannot be combined with any other stipend program 
• Funds are limited, and registration alone does not ensure acceptance.
• CDE will review all registrations and determine eligibility based on participation across universities and districts.
• Priority will be given to supervisors in rural districts or in districts that employ SLPAs, if funding runs low.

Important Reminders

• All paperwork must be submitted each semester; CDE does not archive documents.
• If we do not have the information dated before the supervision began, CDE cannot pay for the work performed, as this would be a statutory violation (CRS 24-30-202, Fiscal Rules 2-2 and 3-1, and CDE Policy AP-04). A statutory violation occurs when a vendor begins work before the execution of a contract - a Statement of Work (SOW). We cannot retroactively create a contract to pay anyone. 

Important Dates (dates are approximate)

Spring

• Mid-November: Supervisors chosen by university programs 
• Mid-November: CDE Stipend Program Registration opens
• Early December: Program Registration closes
• Mid-December: Dates TBD 
  • Mandatory Virtual Paperwork Completion Sessions (must attend one of two sessions) 
  • All paperwork is due to CDE
• January to April 2025: Spring Semester
• May: Student completion data due at the end of the practicum
• June 1: Invoices will be processed

Fall 

• Late April: Supervisors chosen by university programs 
• Late April: Program Registration opens
• Early May: Program Registration closes
• Mid-May: Dates TBD 
  • Mandatory Virtual Paperwork Completion Sessions (must attend one of two sessions) 
  • All paperwork is due to CDE
• August to December: Fall Semester
• December: Student completion data due at the end of the practicum
• February 1: Invoices will be processed

Supervision Support

• CDE SLPA Supervision in Schools (required)  
• ASHA Supervision Courses
• ASHA Supervision Requirements

Intern Support 

• CDE Educator Funding Opportunities 
• CDE Educator Recruitment and Retention 
• Rural SSP Stipend (UNCO website)
• University of Northern Colorado SLPA to SLP MA Program

The SLP Graduate Student Supervision Program provides financial compensation to eligible speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who supervise graduate student interns from Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU). The program recognizes the time and effort SLPs dedicate to supervising future professionals and strengthening our educator workforce.

If you are interested in becoming a supervisor with MSU, please reach out to the university program coordinator for more information: Email Ilana Oliff  

This is a pilot program between the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU). Currently, we do not have partnerships or agreements with any other universities.

Eligibility Requirements:

1. Be assigned as a graduate student supervisor through Metro State University (MSU)
2. Attend a mandatory paperwork and supervision support course offered by the CDE Speech-Language Specialist and MSU faculty or complete the CDE SLPA Supervision in Schools course
3. Possess a current ASHA license and meet the supervision requirements set by ASHA 
4. Possess a current CDE Special Services Provider license

Compensation

• $500 per student per semester (limit: one student per supervisor).
  • Co-supervisors receive $250 each. Co-supervision must be formally approved by the university program and mutually agreed upon by both supervisors. 
• Funds are limited, and registration alone does not ensure acceptance.
• CDE will review all registrations and determine eligibility based on participation across districts.

SLP Graduate Student Supervision Stipend:

Fall

(dates are approximate; you will be notified of specific dates once you are accepted into the program)

• Early May: Supervisors chosen by MSU
• Early May: Stipend Registration opens
• Mid-May: Stipend Registration closes
• Mid-May: Mandatory Virtual Paperwork Completion Session
• Mid-May: All paperwork due to CDE
• August - December: Fall Semester 
• Mid-December: Student completion data due
• February 1: Invoices will be processed

Spring:

• Only offered in the fall

I was assigned as a supervisor, but did not complete the required stipend paperwork before beginning my duties. Could you please make an exception and allow me to submit the paperwork late so that I can receive the stipend?

Unfortunately, if we do not have the required paperwork dated before the supervision began, CDE cannot pay for the work performed, as this would be a statutory violation (CRS 24-30-202, Fiscal Rules 2-2 and 3-1, and CDE Policy AP-04). A statutory violation occurs when a vendor begins work before the execution of a contract - a Statement of Work (SOW). We cannot retroactively create a contract to pay anyone.

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I already completed the SLPA Supervision On-Demand Course, but I cannot find my certificate. Can you send my certificate?

Unfortunately, CDE does not keep an archive of certificates. You will need to find the certificate or re-enroll in the supervision course in order to meet the supervision program requirements

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How long do I have to complete the SLPA Supervision On-Demand Course?

You must complete the On-Demand course before supervising a student. You may take the course anytime; it just needs to be dated before the supervision begins.

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I am mentoring an SLP graduate student intern. Do I need to take the SLPA Supervision On-Demand Course?

Yes. Despite the name, this course offers valuable information for all supervisors. 

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I am supervising an SLP graduate student intern. Do I need to take the SLPA Supervision On-Demand Course to be eligible for the stipend?

Yes. Despite the name, this course offers valuable information for all supervisors. 

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I want to supervise a student; however, I do not want to complete the CDE SLPA supervision course and/or complete the required paperwork. 

Participation in the stipend program is optional. You are still welcome to supervise a student even if you choose not to complete the required CDE paperwork and steps; however, you won’t be eligible to receive the stipend if you do not complete the required paperwork before starting your supervision. 

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I work for a school district. Am I a state employee?

Upon registration for the supervision stipend program, you will receive a variety of forms to complete. One of these forms is an HR form, which asks if you are a current or previous state employee. If you have never worked for the Colorado Department of Education or any Colorado state department, you are NOT a current or previous state employee. Employees of a public school or university are NOT state employees. Please mark “no” on this question.

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Where do I go to learn more about clinical education and supervision of students? 

You can find more information about clinical education and supervision of SLPA undergraduate students and SLP graduate students here: ASHA Clinical Education and Supervision and here Supervision Requirements for Clinical Educators and Clinical Fellowship Mentors.

For more information about services for students who have speech or language impairments in Colorado, please contact:

Hannah Mackie
Email Hannah Mackie
Phone: (720) 697- 4545