Speech pathologists are professionals who diagnose and treat patients with speech impediments and other communication issues in healthcare. They receive intensive education and training to improve communication skills, including fluency, understanding others, and swallowing. Speech therapists help prevent communication disorders early, identify at-risk students, assess communication skills, and develop individualized education programs. Due to the importance of speech-language pathologists in education, many opt to pursue career opportunities within school systems. In this article, we explain how to become a speech pathologist, what they do, where they work, and what to consider before you become one.
What is speech pathology?
Speech pathology is the study of communication disorders in children and adults, focusing on voice and resonance disorders, language delays, fluency disorders, speech delays, literacy skills, cognitive-communicative disorders, and swallowing and feeding disorders.
These disorders can affect pronunciation, sharing ideas, and the organization of thoughts. Some speech-language disorders are born, while others may result from external triggers like traumatic brain injuries, strokes, or autism spectrum disorders.
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Who is a speech-language pathologist?
Speech pathologists, also known as speech therapists, assist individuals with speaking and communication issues, as well as eating and swallowing difficulties. They work with individuals of all ages to improve communication skills, treat swallowing disorders, and practice in various settings like independent practices, doctor’s offices, schools, hospitals, and nursing homes.
What does a speech pathologist do?
A speech pathologist performs a number of duties. Some of them include:
- Identifying speech, language, or swallowing difficulties and providing treatment options
- Helping individuals cope with speech disorders
- Teaching people how to build and maintain fluency
- providing counseling
- maintaining accurate consultation notes
- conducting ongoing evaluations
- training staff, develops new speech evaluation methods
- participating in research to improve treatment options and understand human communication.
Day-to-day tasks of a speech pathologist
The day-to-day tasks of a speech pathologist include the following:
- observe and test patients to assess specific difficulties
- plan and develop therapy programmes
- help patients regain communication after brain injuries or a stroke
- support children and adults with eating or swallowing problems
- work with children with language delays or disorders
Working environment
Speech therapists work with students individually or in groups, providing treatment using audio-visual aids, physical exercises, and practice. They typically work 40 hours a week, with additional hours for lesson planning. Schools often hire therapists on a contract basis.
Why should you become a speech therapist?
Speech and language therapy is a job with a low stress level, good work-life balance, and good scope to improve, get promoted, and earn a higher salary.
Speech-language therapist job satisfaction is rated in terms of upward mobility, stress level, and flexibility. Moreover, they are loved by people, especially children.
Speech therapy career options
Speech pathologists can find numerous job opportunities in various fields, gaining valuable skills like communication, medical terminology, and problem-solving. Some of the career paths for speech pathologists include:
- Interpreter
- Recreation therapist
- A special education teacher
- English as a second language (ESL) teacher
- Hearing aid dispenser
- A respite worker
- An audiologist
- A hospice nurse
- A physical therapist
- A linguist
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How to become a speech therapist
1. Earn a bachelor’s degree
To become a speech-language pathologist, one must complete a graduate degree in the field. The first step is to complete an undergraduate degree, such as the Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology or the Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Other degrees, such as education, psychology, or linguistics, can also prepare for graduate education, especially if paired with a relevant concentration. Northeastern University offers a Communication Sciences and Disorders minor and Clinical Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology minor.
2. Obtain a master’s degree in speech-language pathology
After obtaining a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree in speech-language pathology can be pursued with accreditation from the American Speech-Hearing Association (ASHA). This program includes practical clinical hours under a licensed speech pathologist, allowing for practical experience in various settings with diverse patient populations. The practical hours vary by state, ranging from 300 to 375 hours.
3. Complete a post-graduate fellowship
After completing a graduate degree, a post-graduate clinical fellowship is required for state licensure. This can be completed before passing the Praxis. Fellowship requirements vary by state, but many align with the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) credential through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
To qualify, the fellowship must be overseen by an ASHA-certified SLP, be at least 1,260 hours long, and involve at least 80% of clinical experience with patients. Temporary license may be required depending on the state’s board.
4. Take the national exam in speech-language pathology
After completing your fellowship, you can take the Praxis II: Subject Assessment in Speech-Language Pathology exam, which requires a minimum score of 162 on a 100-200 scale. The exam covers professional practice foundations, patient assessment, diagnosis, and treatment implementation. Most candidates take it after fellowship completion.
5. Apply for certification
Speech pathologists in states must obtain the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) from ASHA after completing a master’s degree, fellowship, and passing the Praxis exam, which requires 30 hours of continuing education every three years.
6. Obtain a license to practice in your state
To earn licensure in speech-language pathology, one must pass the Praxis 2 Examination in Speech-Language Pathology, administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The exam covers foundations, patient screening, etiology, treatment planning, and more. The exam is offered at test centers nationwide and can be taken at any time.
Some students take it in the final semester of their graduate program, while others take it immediately after graduation. Passing the exam may be required by some organizations for clinical fellowship applications. Renewal requirements are also required.
Speech pathologist requirements
To become a speech pathologist, one must have a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, a post-graduate fellowship, a passing Praxis II exam score, a state-licensed practice license, and ASHA certification. You must also possess soft skills like compassion and empathy, as well as hard skills like patient screenings and exercise prescriptions.
All states require speech-language pathologists to be licensed, though specific requirements vary from state to state.
How long does it take to become a speech pathologist?
A speech-language pathologist requires a significant time commitment, including an undergraduate degree, a master’s degree, a fellowship, Praxis, certification, and licensure, requiring seven to eight years of dedicated time to achieve this career.
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- sensitivity and understanding
- the ability to work well with others
- to be flexible and open to change
- counselling skills, including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of psychology
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
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Speech-language pathologist salary information
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for speech-language pathologists in 2022 was $84,140. Those who worked in educational services (state, local, and private) earned a median annual salary of $77,310.
Salary prospects for speech therapists depend on several factors, including the geographical area of their practice, the extent of their experience in the field, and the particular work setting in which they are employed.
Demand for Speech-Language Pathologists
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 21% job growth for speech pathologists between 2021 and 2031, more than four times the current 5% rate. This growth is attributed to increased awareness of speech and language disorders in young children and the rise in dementia cases and strokes among older patient populations.
Speech-language pathology offers high job satisfaction and an average annual salary of $79,060, ranking it as No. 3 in Best Jobs in Healthcare and No. 10 in overall Best Jobs.
Final words
Speech pathologists diagnose and treat patients with speech impediments and communication issues in healthcare. They receive intensive training to improve communication skills, prevent disorders early, identify at-risk students, assess communication, and develop individualized education programs. Speech pathologists play a crucial role in education, leading many to pursue career opportunities within school systems.
To become a speech pathologist, one must have a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, a post-graduate fellowship, a passing Praxis II exam score, a state-licensed practice license, and ASHA certification. You must also possess soft skills like compassion and empathy, as well as hard skills like patient screenings and exercise prescriptions.
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