Clinical supervision in speech-language pathology and audiology in the United States: Development of a professional specialty

ABSTRACT

In this article, the authors describe the development of clinical supervision in audiology and speech-language pathology in the United States from its recognition as a distinct area of practice to its current status. The authors describe roles and responsibilities of supervisors as well as approaches to supervision. They include information about key policy statements, practice guidelines, credentials, requirements, and ethical and legal considerations related to clinical supervision. The article also includes recent developments in training, technology, and advocacy, as well as future directions and challenges in supervision.

KEYWORDS:

• Clinical supervisor
• clinical educator
• United States
• speech-language pathology
• audiology

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Carol C. Dudding

Carol C. Dudding, PhD, CCC-SLP, is Associate Professor in the master’s degree program in Speech-Language Pathology at James Madison University. She served on the board of the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and has developed courses in clinical education. Carol was a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)’s Ad Hoc Committee on Supervisory Training and Special Interest Group for Administration and Supervision. Her research includes use of e-supervision, telepractice, and simulations for clinical education.

Vicki McCready

Vicki McCready, MA, CCC-SLP, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Fellow Professor Emerita at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, has published and presented extensively in the areas of supervision and clinical education, served in leadership roles in both state and national supervisory organizations, and received teaching excellence and supervisory awards. Most recently she served as the Chair of the 2016 Ad Hoc Committee on Supervision Training of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Loretta M. Nunez

Loretta M. Nunez, MA, AuD, CCC-A/SLP, FNAP, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Fellow, is Director of Academic Affairs and Research Education for ASHA. She directs activities that support academic, clinical, and research education. Loretta leads or has led ASHA strategic initiatives on interprofessional education, collaborative practice, clinical personnel supply and demand, emerging areas of clinical practice, expanding academic program capacity, supervision training, and a national higher education data collection and reporting system for the discipline.

Samantha J. Procaccini

Samantha J. Procaccini, CScD, CCC-SLP, is an Assistant Professor and the Clinical Director in the Department of Communication Disorders at California University of Pennsylvania. She was a member of ASHA’s Ad Hoc Committee on Supervision Training and currently serves on the Council for Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders’ (CAPCSD) Critical Thinking Task Force. Her research includes investigating the effects of supervision models on students’ critical thinking.