OVERVIEW
What is a Speech-Language Pathologist?
A speech-language pathologist specializes in treating various speech impediments and addressing language comprehension difficulties. They also teach social skills to people with developmental disabilities, provide guidance to individuals with cognitive disorders, and intervene when someone struggles to swallow food or beverages. For those who cannot hear well, speech-language pathologists teach skills for understanding others and expressing themselves through other means like picture boards or technological devices.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Speech-Language Pathologist Do?
These professionals work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults. If you have a passion for working one-on-one with individuals to give them the tools to improve their quality of life, then speech-language pathology can be a rewarding career. A speech-language pathologist can have several responsibilities and daily tasks. Some of them may include:
- Evaluation and diagnosis. Often, the first job of a speech-language pathologist is to evaluate individuals to determine a diagnosis. Discovering whether the person has speech, language, communication, or swallowing disorders, or a combination of these, is a crucial first step to determining a treatment plan.
- Treating disorders. Once disorders are diagnosed, speech-language pathologists can work on treating them. One method may work well for a child struggling to swallow, while a quite different one may serve an adult struggling with communication.
- Providing training. Speech pathologists have an important responsibility to train family members and caregivers to assist the individual in specific ways. An individual’s support group plays a key role in helping them improve.
- Working with other professionals. It’s common for speech-language pathologists to work closely with an individual’s care team. This team may consist of school counselors, physicians, and others. Being skilled at working with these professionals to gain insight and provide the best care plan for each client is key.
- Educating future pathologists. Speech-language pathologists often train younger aspiring pathologists. They must be prepared for students who will shadow them and be willing to provide education and lectures if asked by local universities or interested groups.
- Providing counseling. Speech-language pathologists may provide guidance and exercises to improve speech in a counseling setting. In addition to assigning drills and tasks, they may provide support and counsel.
- Running a clinic. It’s common for speech-language pathologists to have their own clinic or private practice. Knowing what this entails and being on top of the aspects of running a business is important. Most clinics have office staff and accountants, so the speech-language pathologist whose clinic it is must be able to supervise them effectively.
- Working with agencies. Speech pathologists should maintain strong relationships with associations and government agencies that advocate for those with speech, language, and hearing impairments. One such agency is the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
- Supervising school programs. Often, elementary schools will provide speech lessons for young students who are struggling with communication or pronunciation. Speech-language pathologists supervise these sessions and sometimes provide speech therapy themselves.
- Conducting research. Our understanding of speech disorders and the ways to treat them is expanding. Thanks to research carried out by speech-language pathologists, we discover new treatments and gain needed knowledge to improve care and enhance progress. As a speech-language pathologist, you should plan to keep up on the latest research and even engage in your own research.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Speech-Language Pathologist?
There are several steps to becoming a speech-language pathologist. Here is the typical path from speech-language pathologist schooling to fellowship and examination.
- Earn a relevant bachelor’s degree. Prospective speech-language pathologists often pursue undergraduate degrees in communication sciences and disorders, healthcare and nursing, or special education.
- Earn a master’s degree in speech-language pathology. After earning a bachelor’s degree, you must also earn a master’s degree to become a speech-language pathologist. Here is a list of these types of accredited graduate programs in each state.
- Complete a clinical fellowship. To become a speech-language pathologist, you must complete 1,260 hours and gain at least 36 weeks of full-time clinical experience. ASHA has a helpful fellowship guide.
- Pass the Praxis exam. The Praxis examination in speech-language pathology is commissioned by ASHA. In general, to pass the exam, you must achieve a score of at least 162 on a 100 to 200 scale. That said, certain states may require different scores, so be sure to understand the specific requirements where you live.
5. Get certified. To become a licensed speech-language pathologist, you must be certified by both ASHA and the state you’ll be practicing in. ASHA provides links to state-specific requirements.
6. Apply for speech-language pathologists jobs. ASHA offers career development resources to help you find a job. Sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter may also have job postings.
Best Degrees for a Speech-Language Pathologist
Health & Nursing
Health and Human Services – B.S.
An online health degree program for students who are committed to making a...
An online health degree program for students who are committed to making a difference for patients in a variety of ways.
- Time: 63% of students finish this program in 24 months
- Tuition: $4,210 per 6-month term
- Courses: 35 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Epidemiology
- Community and Public Health
- Cultural Awareness
- Pathophysiology
- Healthcare Values and Ethics
- Substance Abuse Support
This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also directly working with patients who need help.
Education
Special Ed and Elementary Ed (Dual Licensure) – B.A.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring K–12 special education teachers. Leads to dual licensure—elementary education teaching license and special education teaching license.
- Time: 60% of students finish this degree within 38 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 45 total courses in this program (46 for Washington residents).
(Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.) If your state offers a single K–12 special education teaching license and you are interested in focusing on teaching students with mild to moderate exceptionalities, consider the B.A. Special Education (Mild to Moderate) online teaching degree.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Elementary Reading Methods
- Elementary Mathematics Methods
- Elementary Social Studies Methods
- Elementary Science Methods
- Language Arts Instruction and Intervention
This special education teaching online degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching.
How Much Does a Speech-Language Pathologist Make?
$84,140
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national average annual salary for speech-language pathologists in 2022 was $84,140. The higher percentile earners can make more than $100,000, but salary can vary by state.
What is the Projected Job Growth?
19%
The BLS projects the number of speech-language pathologist jobs to grow by 19% from 2022 to 2032. They expect 13,200 job openings each year.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Speech-Language Pathologist Need?
It takes a specialized set of hard and soft skills to excel as a speech-language pathologist. They should be skilled in the following areas:
- Active listening. Knowing how to listen is crucial for speech-language pathologists, as understanding sounds and knowing how to improve speech is a key job function. They must know how to listen to concerns as well as incorrect speech patterns.
- Adaptability. Every individual is different. Speech-language pathologists must be able to adapt to meet the needs of every person they meet with.
- Leadership. Speech-language pathologists often orient others in their field, as well as caregivers and family members. They should have strong leadership skills and have a presence that inspires confidence.
- Creativity. It’s not always easy to help someone improve their speech. Sometimes, speech-language pathologists must find creative ways to teach language skills, especially if they’re working with children.
- Verbal and written communication. Communication is key, especially since speech-language pathologists are teaching this very skill. Getting messages across succinctly and accurately to both individuals and their caregivers is critical.
- Critical thinking. Finding solutions to complex speech problems is rarely easy. Speech-pathologists must be able to think critically through difficult issues to find solutions.
- Decision-making. To be a speech-language pathologist, you must be skilled at making decisions and shifting gears. An approach that works for one client may not work for the next, so be ready to make the decision that’s best for the individual.
- Time management. There’s high demand for speech-language pathologists, which means their schedules fill up quickly. To serve each client well, you must be intentional with your time and spend it on exercises that will best serve the client.
- Enthusiasm. It’s much easier to work for someone who is positive and excited. The best speech-pathologists are optimistic and enthusiastic as they motivate and support the individuals they work with.
- Compassion. Working through a speech or language difficulty can be challenging and embarrassing for individuals. Speech-language pathologists should have compassion and show kindness as they’re working with people.
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