How To Become a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the job outlook for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) is strong and will grow 19% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. It further reports that the median income for SLPs is $84,140.¹

Both statistics are encouraging news if you are looking to build a career as a speech-language pathologist, and are worth considering while you develop your understanding of the role and whether it is a good fit for you.

How to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) Speech-language pathologists work with people who are striving to enhance their language and communication skills. They can serve a wide range of populations, from people with speech disorders like dysarthria to those with language disorders like aphasia.

According to the Mayo Clinic, an estimated 5-10% of Americans have a communication disorder.² Other factors, such as traumatic brain injury, developmental disabilities, or autism spectrum disorder, can further compound the challenges that clients face.

How to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) By pursuing a career in speech-language pathology, you can help patients improve speech, treat swallowing issues, and foster the development of social communication skills. In other words, speech-language pathologists can significantly impact their clients and improve their lives.

Educational Requirements to Become an SLP

Common undergraduate degrees for individuals planning to attend graduate school for speech-language pathology include Bachelor of Science in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences, Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD), and Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology.

Master’s degree candidates can also come from majors that are outside of CSD but are in related fields, such as education, psychology, or linguistics. Bachelor’s programs that you’re interested in might also offer CSD as a minor. If you choose a bachelor’s program outside of CSD, keep in mind that master’s programs may require you to take extra prerequisite classes before you begin graduate work.

After obtaining your bachelor's degree, you’ll need a master's degree to become a speech-language pathologist. Additional licensing is mandatory in all states, with specific requirements differing but commonly involving clinical experience and successful completion of an examination.

Master's degree programs typically require an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. While many master's programs may require you to take the GRE or GMAT, some speech-language pathology programs do not.

What Licensing and SLP Certifications Do You Need?

You should confirm that your master’s program is accredited by the CAA and prepares graduates to earn the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and any additional state licensure. Additionally, ASHA offers distinction as a Board Certified Specialist (BCS) to a practitioner who "demonstrates advanced knowledge, skills, and experience in a specified area of practice."³

BCS certifications are not required for practice, however you may choose to pursue a specialty certification after you have been in practice for a few years.

What is the Praxis exam?

In order to obtain your Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA, you will need to pass the Speech Language Pathology Praxis exam.

The Praxis exam structure varies based on the specific test being taken, as there are different Praxis tests for various fields and professions. Content is designed to assess candidates' knowledge, skills, and competencies relevant to their chosen profession or field of study.

Praxis exams often serve as a component of state-specific certification requirements for educators, administrators, and other professionals, and some states may have their own additional requirements beyond the Praxis exams, such as specific coursework, student teaching experience, or background checks. Understanding and meeting these state-specific certification requirements is crucial for candidates seeking licensure or certification in a particular state.

Clinical Practicums and Internships

Graduate programs also include time spent in clinical practicums. Commonly referred to as externships or internships in speech-language pathology, clinical practicums are a set number of required hours for you to be engaged in direct patient/client interactions. This time with patients is a transitional framework to guide students through real-time therapeutic processes including, but not limited to:

Detail-oriented assessment of speech and language patterns
Analyzing challenges and develop targeted intervention plans
Adapting to changes in treatment strategies
Working collaboratively with other professionals in multidisciplinary teams
Managing caseloads efficiently
Fostering a positive and motivating therapy environment
Respecting cultural diversity in communication styles
Upholding ethical standards in client confidentiality and professional conduct
Coping with emotional aspects of the job
Staying curious and open to new research and developments
Maintaining a constructive and optimistic outlook in therapy sessions
Encouraging clients

These experiences can span various treatment areas, including:

Articulation
Fluency
Voice and resonance
Expressive/receptive language
Aural Rehabilitation
Swallowing
Cognitive aspects of communication
Social aspects of communication
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)

Specialization Coursework and Certifications

An additional educational step to consider is that after becoming licensed, many SLPs continue their professional development with other certifications that allow them to specialize in helping specific populations.

If you want to make room for career advancement in the field of speech-language pathology and define your SLP career path, SLP specializations can improve your employment outlook, enhance your earning potential, and most importantly, allow you to focus on an area of practice that you are passionate about and demonstrate excellence in.

There are three types of Board Certified Specialist (BCS) certifications for SLPs, each awarded by independent boards that ASHA has approved:

American Board of Child Language and Language Disorders — Board Certified as a Specialist in Child Language (BCS-CL)
American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders — Board Certified Specialist in Fluency (BCS-F)
American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders — Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (BCS-S)

SLPs can also supplement their skillsets by learning techniques that help a specific kind of client. Many of them are cost-efficient and can be completed online or in workshops. These include:

AAC Institute — Certification in Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Lee Silverman Voice Treatment for Patients with Parkinson's Disease or Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT)
Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

You can learn more about specializations in the speech-language pathology field here.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist?

Undergraduate programs typically take four to five years, while most speech-language pathology graduate programs range from 20 months to five semesters. If you factor in 9 months to complete any fellowship, take the Praxis exams, and obtain certification and licensure, then the full time frame to become a speech-language pathologist is approximately six to eight years. Continuing education will also be required throughout your career to maintain your licenses.

How Do You Choose the Right SLP Graduate Program?

Choosing any direction of study should be based on your career goals and defined skill sets, but there are other logistics to consider. When choosing a speech-language pathology program, you should:

Cross-reference your bachelor's degree to determine if the program meets your needed prerequisites
Confirm that the program/institution is accredited by CAA
Check that the curriculum and outcomes prepare graduates to earn the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and any additional state licensure

A Career as a Speech-Language Pathologist

As a speech-language pathologist, you can have a positive impact in settings such as education, private practice, hospitals, or nursing and residential care facilities. Most speech-language pathologists work full time, but part-time work is also common.

Above and beyond the clinical skills required for this career, a soft skill set is also beneficial to excel in the speech-language pathology field. As an SLP, you should be able to:

Demonstrate genuine care for clients
Adapt communication styles based on individual needs
Adjust therapy plans based on client progress
Detail-oriented in assessing speech and language patterns
Work collaboratively with other professionals in multidisciplinary teams
Manage caseloads efficiently
Foster a positive and motivating therapy environment
Respect cultural diversity in communication styles
Uphold ethical standards in client confidentiality and professional conduct
Cope with emotional aspects of the job
Stay curious and open to new research and developments

What Are the Steps to Getting Started in Speech-Language Pathology?

Research the career and the skillsets needed to excel
Pursue an undergraduate degree that can prepare you for your next steps

An online Bachelor of Science in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences from Bradley University is a great way to lay the foundation for a career in speech-language pathology and explore the profession.

You can learn more about the educational requirements by speaking with a member of our enrollment team. Contact us today to get started on this exciting journey.

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