Clinical Educator Guide for
St. Bonaventure University

Clinical Educator Guide for[br] St. Bonaventure University

Online M.S. Speech-Language Pathology

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WELCOME AND THANK YOU FOR PARTNERING WITH OUR PROGRAM

Welcome, and thank you for partnering with us in the clinical education of our speech-language pathology graduate students. We are deeply grateful for your willingness to serve as a clinical educator for St. Bonaventure University’s Online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (M.S. SLP) program.

The success of our students depends on access to exceptional speech-language pathologists like you—dedicated professionals who generously share their time, expertise, and guidance to help shape the next generation of clinicians. Your support and mentorship are critical to their development and readiness for entry-level clinical practice.

Our external clinical educators collaborate closely with our program faculty to ensure meaningful learning experiences for students and positive, collegial partnerships for all involved.

  • This online guide is designed to support you in your role. Inside, you’ll find:
  • Foundational information about supervising graduate students at SBU
  • Links to the Student Clinical Manual and the Clinical Educator Manual
  • Answers to frequently asked questions

If you have any questions not addressed here, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Director of Clinical Education or your student’s assigned faculty instructor. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

OUR FRANCISCAN FOUNDATION

At St. Bonaventure University, our Franciscan tradition is at the heart of everything we do—including how we educate and accompany our students on their journey to becoming speech-language pathologists.

Inspired by the values of compassion, service, humility, and community, our approach to clinical education is grounded in relationship and mutual respect. We believe that forming skilled clinicians goes beyond technical training—it requires nurturing the whole person. As clinical educators, you are vital partners in this process.

In the spirit of accompaniment, we walk alongside our students—not just as instructors, but as mentors who support their growth, celebrate their progress, and challenge them to become thoughtful, ethical, and empathetic professionals.

Your role as a clinical educator reflects our shared commitment to:

  • Respect for the dignity of every person, including those we serve and those we teach
  • Learning in relationship, where knowledge is shaped through dialogue, feedback, and trust
  • Service to others, through meaningful, compassionate, and evidence-based clinical care

By welcoming our students into your clinical settings, you help them integrate classroom learning with real-world practice in a way that reflects the Franciscan values of humility, integrity, and care for all creation.

We are honored to have you as part of this mission, and we thank you for your partnership in forming the next generation of clinicians who will serve with both skill and heart.

CLINICAL EDUCATOR ROLE

The MS-SLP Program at SBU has chosen to adopt the term clinical educator in lieu of clinical supervisor given the nature of the role. A clinical educator provides supervision, training, education, mentorship, and much more in the student/educator relationship. 

 A clinical educator in the online MS-SLP program at SBU is an experienced speech language pathologist who meets and maintains the 2020 Standards (V-E) for supervision which includes:

  1. Holds ASHA Certification (CCC-SLP)
  2. Has completed a minimum of nine-months (9 mo) of full-time professional practice post certification
  3. Has earned at least two hours (2 hrs) of professional development in the area of supervision and/or clinical instruction post certification.

(Source: 2020 Certification Standard V-E)

ASHA CLINICAL EDUCATOR VERIFICATION

Clinical educators can check their eligibility to supervise students by visiting ASHA’s Certification verification page. Please visit https://www.asha.org/certification/cert-verify/ for more information. We recommend checking your status yearly.

In addition to meeting the Certification Standard V-E, clinical educators must also be licensed in the states in which they practice. Clinical educators must maintain the ASHA CCC and state license throughout the time they have clinical students. 

INTRODUCTION AND ACCESS TO CALIPSO

We utilize CALIPSO (Clinical Assessment of Learning Inventory of Performance Streamlined Office Operations), a web-based application specifically designed to manage clinic documentation and resources. As a clinical educator, you'll use CALIPSO to:

This streamlined platform ensures efficient management of clinical education requirements and fosters effective collaboration throughout the supervisory process.

Access to CALIPSO: LINK HERE

CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

St. Bonaventure University is proud to be an ASHA-approved Continuing Education (CE) provider. As part of our commitment to supporting the professional growth and development of our clinical educators, we offer complimentary continuing education opportunities throughout the academic year.

Each academic year, we host two Clinical Educator Workshops designed to enhance supervisory skills, explore current topics in clinical education, and provide a space for shared learning and collaboration. These workshops are free of charge and offered virtually to accommodate your schedule and location.

We are also open to partnering with you to support the continuing education needs of your organization. Whether you're interested in tailored CE opportunities or collaborative training initiatives, we’re happy to explore how we can serve and support your team.

Have an idea for a CE topic?

We welcome suggestions for future workshop topics and would love to hear what would be most helpful or meaningful to you.

Need a CE certificate from a previous session?

Please feel free to reach out to the CE Administrator, and we’ll be happy to assist.

We are grateful for the role you play in preparing the next generation of speech-language pathologists, and we’re honored to walk alongside you in your own professional journey.

ONLINE M.S. SLP CURRICULUM

SLP 620, SLP 621, SLP 622, SLP 623, SLP 624, SLP 720, SLP 721, SLP 722, SLP 723, SLP 724 - Clinical Practicum (1 credit each)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

How do I log into CALIPSO?

You will receive an email with login credentials from CALIPSO once your student is assigned. If you haven’t received login information or are having trouble accessing the system, please contact the Director of Clinical Education for support.

What are my responsibilities as a clinical educator?

Clinical educators are expected to provide direct supervision, complete midterm and final evaluations in CALIPSO, and verify student clinical clock hours. More detailed expectations can be found in the Clinical Educator Manual.

How many hours should the student be present at the site?

Student schedules will vary depending on the placement type and semester. Each student will collaborate with you to establish a schedule that meets ASHA requirements and program expectations. If you have any questions, reach out to the student’s faculty instructor.

What if I have concerns about my student’s performance?

We encourage open communication. If any concerns arise regarding a student’s performance, professionalism, or progress, please contact the Director of Clinical Education or the student’s faculty instructor as soon as possible. We are here to support both you and the student.

Will I receive CEUs for supervising a student?

Supervising a student does not automatically qualify for CEUs; however, we offer free continuing education opportunities for clinical educators, including workshops that are eligible for ASHA CEUs.

Can I request verification of my service as a clinical educator?

Yes! We are happy to provide a letter or documentation verifying your role as a clinical educator. Please email the Director of Clinical Education with your request.

Can I suggest topics for future continuing education workshops?

Absolutely! We welcome your input. Please email your ideas to the Director of Clinical Education—we want our offerings to be meaningful and relevant to your work.

How do I contact the university if I have questions or need support?

You can reach out directly to the Director of Clinical Education or the student’s assigned faculty instructor. We’re always happy to help!

Have a question that’s not listed here?
We’re always updating this guide to better support you. If you have a question you'd like to see included in future FAQs, please reach out, we’d love to hear from you.

Additional Resources

Here are a few resources that may support your role as a clinical educator and enhance your experience working with students from St. Bonaventure University:

We may add additional resources as new tools or policies become available.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Director of Clinical Education: Shatonda Jones

Graduate Program Director: Pam Hart

SBU’s ASHA CE Administrator: Shatonda Jones

DSHP Administrative Assistant: Jean Benson

Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA):

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
2200 Research Boulevard, #310
Rockville, MD 20850

800-498-2071

These journalism programs are grounded firmly in the real world and have a close eye on continued evolution for both the programs and the students in them. Talented alumni at the top of their fields contributed to an equally talented and dedicated faculty to ensure the right mix of academia and real-world applications.

Chris LaPlaca
Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications
ESPN