FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, Nov. 2, 2009

CONTACT: Mary Stadick Smith, (605) 773-7228, mary.stadicksmith@state.sd.us

 

 

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Board of Education approved a proposal today allowing Mitchell Technical Institute to offer a Speech Language Pathology Assistant Program in the fall of 2010.

 

It will be the only program of its kind in the state.

 

“We’ve had support from across the state for this program,” said Vicki Wiese, vice president at Mitchell Technical Institute.

 

The program, which will be offered as a two-year associate of applied science degree, will fill a critical need in health care and educational services offered to students in the K-12 system, according to Mark Wilson, director of the state Department of Education’s Office of Curriculum, Career and Technical Education.

 

The speech language pathology occupation was identified as a priority area during a July 2008 study conducted by the South Dakota Healthcare Workforce Center.

 

 

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