Continuing professional education for speech-language pathologists must include which of the following areas?

The correct answer encompasses a vital component of continuing professional education for speech-language pathologists. The focus on ethics, speech-language pathology, and audiology is crucial as it ensures that practitioners are not only knowledgeable about their clinical competencies but also adhere to the ethical standards and practices that govern the profession. This emphasis on ethics helps to reinforce the integrity of the profession, ensuring that speech-language pathologists provide services that prioritize the welfare of their clients and follow legal and professional standards.

Continuing education programs that address these areas help practitioners stay updated on best practices, new laws, regulations, and ethical considerations that are constantly evolving. This is essential for maintaining licensure and providing high-quality care.

While clinical practice and research methodologies are important areas of study, they fall under broader considerations that may be included in continuing education, but they do not specifically emphasize the ethical aspects, which are foundational to the practice. Therefore, focusing on ethics, along with the defined core areas of speech-language pathology and audiology, is crucial for fostering a responsible and effective practice.