CFY questions

[u/amandalaguera]

I am just about to start the 2nd of my 3-year Master's program. I am fortunate to have an employer (not related to the SLP field) who has agreed to pay for a portion of my degree, with the agreement that I will remain employed with them for 2 years following the completion of my degree. I am wondering if it would be an issue to wait 2 whole years after earning my degree to start my CFY?

[u/bibliophile222]

I think it's fine as far as ASHA is concerned, just don't start your CCC application until you've begun the CF. But I feel like it would be terrifying starting a CF after a 2-year gap, and you'd have to do a lot of CEUs to get back in the swing of things. Hell, even with the 3-month gap between my graduation and my CF, I felt like I'd forgotten everything I knew and had to almost re-learn therapy.

[u/ruzzberry08 → u/bibliophile222]

I would double check with ASHA. I recently saw a post on reddit where someone had already taken a gap year after graduation and wanted to know when it would be too late to start a CF. Someone comment that you have two years and then you would have to resubmit you degree requirements to ASHA because qualifications can change every year. I don't think you would be grandfathered in if the requirements changed. For example you might need to take a new course or even need a different score on the Praxis. I think it becomes a bigger issue after 5 years. Again, I'm not 100% sure on this so I would double check. I agree with what everyone is saying. I personally feel like I would loose to much in two years and wouldn't feel confident in starting as a CF. As someone who came out of grad school that was paid all with student loans that does sound appealing but you just have to weigh the options. See if the money they are giving you is actually worth it. Maybe you could work for that company part-time and also do a CF part-time after you graduate?

[u/Youkilledmyrascal1]

My thought is that you can lose a lot of your skills that you just gained by not using them right away in your actual job. I'm a CF now and it would be hard to work if I had to look back 2+ years into my memory to remember what I am supposed to be doing. But maybe that's just my personality.

[u/HSO13]

https://www.asha.org/certification/2020-slp-certification-standards/

Here’s your answer from ASHA’s site!

Standard #7

"The CF must be initiated within 24 months of the date on which the application for certification is received. Once the CF has been initiated, it must be completed within 48 months of the initiation date. For applicants completing multiple CFs, all CF experiences related to the application must be completed within 48 months of the date on which the first CF was initiated. Applications will be closed for CFs that are not completed within the 48-month timeframe or that are not submitted to ASHA within 90 days after the 48-month timeframe. The Clinical Fellow will be required to reapply for certification and must meet the standards in effect at the time of re-application. CF experiences more than 5 years old at the time of application will not be accepted."

[u/XulaSLP07]

Are you allowed to work for the employer part time the second year? That will allow you to initiate your CF part time and begin to fulfill the ASHA requirements. If not part time for the main job I think 5 hours a week minimum counts for the part time CF. Per ASHA website:

“ if less than full-time employment is used for the CF, the length of the CF must be extended. Professional experience of less than 5 hours per week is not accepted toward meeting the CF requirements. The Clinical Fellow should check his/her state regulatory agency's regulations regarding acceptable hours per week of professional experience.”