Session Formats

The following session formats are offered for ASHA Continuing Education Credits or Professional Development Hours at the ASHA Convention.

Short Courses (2 hours; ticketed)

  • In-person only
  • Advanced level
  • Presenters invited by the Convention Program Committee
  • Audiology and speech-language pathology science/research or clinical topics

Short courses (formerly master classes) provide a more intensive, advanced learning opportunity for seasoned professionals or those whose work has a specialized focus. They are ticketed (additional fee) two-hour oral seminars that will be presented only in person onsite at the ASHA Convention. Class sizes are limited to a smaller audience. Presentations are advanced-level and emphasize clinical applications and/or science backed by appropriate levels of evidence. Presenters, who are specially invited by the Convention Program Committee, demonstrate recognized expertise in their area and have experience presenting continuing professional education programs. Short courses count for 2 hours of Professional Development Hours (PDHs). 

Oral Seminars (1 hour)

  • In-person only
  • Introductory, intermediate, or advanced level
  • Audiology and speech-language pathology science/research or clinical topics

Oral seminars are standard concurrent 1-hour sessions intended to provide in-depth, continuing education for audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech-language-hearing scientists. Emphasis is on clinical applications and research advances, backed by appropriate levels of evidence. Content is tailored to fit the time period. Oral seminars are presented live, in-person at the ASHA Convention only. Some presenters may be invited by the Convention Program Committee to present on a particular topic to enhance the education program. Oral seminars count for 1 hour of PDHs.

Poster Presentation (15 minutes)

  • On-demand/virtual-only or on-demand/virtual PLUS in-person Q&A session
  • Introductory, intermediate, or advanced level
  • Audiology and speech-language pathology science/research or clinical topics 

Poster presentations combine a short oral presentation with a visual display to facilitate the rapid communication of scientific ideas. During the presentation, viewers visually guide themselves at their own pace through the basics of the study displayed on the iPoster, while the presentation focuses on explanation, clarification, and discussion of key elements of the work.

On-demand/Virtual-only Posters

Virtual posters will consist of a digital poster and 15-minute audio recording uploaded to the iPosters platform. They do not have a corresponding scheduled interactive Q&A session. On-demand/virtual poster presentations count for 15 minutes of PDHs.

In-person Poster Q&A Sessions

In addition to an on-demand/virtual poster and 15-minute audio recording uploaded to the iPosters platform, in-person poster presenters will be scheduled for a 90-minute session at the ASHA Convention to answer questions while their poster is displayed on a monitor. The in-person Q&A session provides an opportunity for viewers to engage in discussion with the presenters and/or fellow viewers. Both in-person presenters and in-person attendees may earn an additional 15 minutes of PDHs for participating in the in-person Q&A session.

Technical Sessions (30 minutes)

  • On-demand/virtual-only or on-demand/virtual PLUS in-person presentation
  • Introductory, intermediate or advanced level
  • Audiology and speech-language pathology science/research or clinical topics 

Technical clinical sessions and technical research sessions are 30-minute oral presentations that have either a research or a clinical focus. The purpose of a technical session is to communicate scientific information or highlight clinical innovations in an efficient form. Technical research sessions present recent research findings, or research in progress. Technical clinical sessions address the applied clinical aspects of the professions, such as the methodology of a specific diagnostic, a therapeutic strategy, or a unique service delivery model used by the clinician.

On-demand/Virtual-only Technical Sessions 

All technical sessions will have an on-demand, virtual presentation with 30 minutes of narration/audio/video uploaded to the virtual platform. The audio portion may include, but is not limited to, a presentation, transcripts, or additional supporting video. On-demand/virtual technical sessions count for 30 minutes of PDHs.

In-person Technical Sessions 

In addition to an on-demand/virtual presentation with 30 minutes of narration/audio/video uploaded to the virtual platform, in-person technical session presenters will be scheduled for a 30-minute presentation at the ASHA Convention. The in-person technical session will allow for a brief Q&A period with speakers at the end of the presentation. Both in-person presenters and attendees may earn an additional 30 minutes of PDHs for participating in the in-person presentation.

Technical Demos (30 minutes)

  • On-demand/virtual only 
  • Introductory, intermediate or advanced applied audiology and speech-language pathology topics 

The purpose of a technical demo is to demonstrate how to perform a particular treatment technique or diagnostic method, or how to use a piece of equipment or software application. Technical demos will consist of a 30-minute presentation uploaded to the virtual platform. Presentations may include a combination of videos, audio recordings, transcripts or slides. Products, equipment, or devices described or used in the demo may not be marketed. Demos will be carefully reviewed for adherence to ASHA’s Continuing Education Requirement 3.

Examples of Virtual Sessions

Not sure what to expect with a virtual technical session or virtual poster presentation? Check out our collection of virtual presentation examples.

Special Session Designations

When searching the education program with the Program Planner or mobile app, use the filters to see lists of these special sessions.

Invited Presenter Sessions

Some sessions feature presenters who have been specially invited to present on a topic by the Convention Program Committee, a Special Interest Group (SIG), or a Specialty Certification Board. Some Invited Presenter Sessions are a collaborative effort and are jointly developed by a combination of those entities. SIG affiliates may be particularly interested in SIG-sponsored sessions.

The presenters of these sessions hold expertise on the topic or subject area of the session. Sessions featuring invited presenters are noted in the session descriptions. One-hour Oral Seminars featuring invited presenters are included with your registration and everyone is welcome to attend them. All 2-hour Short Courses feature invited presenters and are ticketed with an additional fee.

Meritorious Posters

The Convention Program Committee selects Meritorious Posters, a special designation for proposals they have judged to be exceptional during their review process.

Visionary Series

The Visionary Session series, selected by the Convention Program Committee, focuses on transformative research or clinical work that has dramatically elevated the practices or future research, contributing to new best practices, new evidence, or reframing the thought paradigms of the professions. These innovative practices or research demonstrate the potential to make an important or significant positive increase in outcomes based on strong evidence at the patient, system, or discipline level.

Questions

Please email us at papers@asha.org if you have any questions about the session formats.

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About ASHA

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for members and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology assistants; and students.

About the Convention

The ASHA Convention is one of the largest professional development events for audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; and speech-language pathology and audiology assistants. Bringing together approximately 15,000 attendees, the annual Convention offers more than 2,500 sessions eligible for ASHA continuing education credit covering the latest research, clinical skills, and techniques in communication sciences and disorders.

Contact Us

For inquiries about the ASHA Convention: convention@asha.org

The ASHA Action Center welcomes questions and requests for information from members and non-members.

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Monday–Friday

Members: 800-498-2071
Non-Member: 800-638-8255

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