How to become a speech-language pathologist

Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani education activist, once said, “When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.” Her words echo the mission of speech-language pathologists, who spend their careers ensuring that individuals can effectively communicate.

Speech-language pathology is a profession tailor-made for those who love the intricacies of language and are eager to solve the puzzle that each unique communication challenge presents. The journey to becoming a speech-language pathologist requires rigorous academic preparation and clinical training. However, this path is a rewarding one, and it offers both job security and competitive compensation.

Learn how to become an SLP in our 6-step guide. We’ll also provide an in-depth overview of the field and offer insights into career prospects and potential earnings. So, if you’re ready to take the first step towards a speech pathologist career, read on!

What is a speech-language pathologist?

Speech-language pathologists are allied healthcare professionals who help individuals overcome speech and language difficulties.

What does a speech-language pathologist do?

An SLP may assist a client with any of the following:

• Speech impediments: Working with individuals who have trouble pronouncing certain speech sounds.
• Language development: Helping clients, usually children, grasp grammar, vocabulary, and the social aspects of communication.
• Motor speech disorders: Helping individuals who have difficulty making the physical movements necessary for speech, due to conditions like apraxia or dysarthria.
• Fluency (stuttering): Providing techniques and strategies to individuals who stutter.
• Cognition: Assisting clients, such as stroke patients, in recovering cognitive communication skills like attention and memory.
• Swallowing: A lesser-known but very common job SLPs do – working with individuals experiencing swallowing difficulties.
• Pitch: Working with individuals (usually singers) who use their voice in a professional capacity.
• Feeding: Assisting with feeding difficulties resulting from brain injury, stroke, or head and neck cancer treatment; helping individuals with autism spectrum disorders manage food sensitivities.
• Transgender voice training: Voice and communication training to transgender individuals, helping them develop a voice that aligns with their gender identity.
• Hearing impairment: Audiologists may refer children and adults with hearing aids and cochlear implants to SLPs to learn or relearn how to listen to speech.

How long does it take to become a speech pathologist?

About 7 years – 4 years to complete your bachelor’s degree, another 2 years to earn your master’s in speech-language pathology, and about a year to complete a fellowship and get licensed.

6 steps to become a speech pathologist

Earning a master’s degree in the field is among the key speech pathologist requirements, but there are several other important steps to be aware of.

Step 1 – Earn a bachelor’s degree

Your first step after high school will be earning a bachelor’s degree. Whether or not you need to do a speech pathology major will depend on the graduate program you want to get into after your 4-year degree. Some speech-language pathology graduate programs require a master’s in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) or a closely related field, but others have more flexible policies. If you choose a different major, be sure to take foundational classes in subjects like biological science, phonetics, and anatomy.

Step 2 – Get hands-on experience (recommended)

Many graduate programs for speech pathology want you to have some entry-level experience, like volunteering or shadowing, in the field before you apply. SLP grad programs are very competitive, so having this experience can help your application stand out.

You can find these opportunities by asking at local hospitals, schools, or clinics if they need volunteers. You can also check websites like the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) for opportunities.

Step 3 – Earn a master’s degree in speech-language pathology

A master’s degree is a critical step in becoming a speech-language pathologist. It’s during this time that you’ll really dive deep into the field, studying topics like anatomy, physiology, acoustics, human development, and assessment and treatment.

Look for programs accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).

Check out our rankings of the best online SLP master’s programs – all of which are CAA accredited.

Speech pathology programs go by different names, so be sure that the program you choose has the proper curriculum. You may find it offered as a Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.S.), or even a Master of Education (M.Ed.), under titles like:

• Speech-Language Pathology
• Communicative Sciences and Disorders
• Speech-Language-Hearing Disorders
• Communication Sciences and Disorders, Specialization in Speech-Language Pathology

Step 4 – Complete a clinical fellowship

After earning your master’s degree, you’ll need to complete a clinical fellowship, which is like a professional internship. This usually takes about 9 to 12 months.

During this time, you’ll work with clients just like you would in a typical speech-language pathologist role, but you’ll have an experienced mentor overseeing your work. This mentor will provide guidance, feedback, and evaluation to help you grow as a professional.

The clinical fellowship is more than just a training period, though. It’s also a requirement for professional licensure and for certification by organizations like the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Step 5 – Pass the Speech-Language Pathology Praxis Exam

The penultimate step on your journey to becoming a speech-language pathologist is passing the SLP praxis exam.

The exam covers a wide range of topics including screening, assessment, evaluation, diagnosis, and even areas like ethics, policy, and research. The test is typically multiple choice, and you’ll need to answer questions based on different clinical situations or case studies.

Every state sets its own passing score for professional licensure. Most use the same score required for ASHA certification, but in some states it could be higher or lower.

Step 6 – Get licensed and certified

Once you’ve passed your praxis exam, you can apply for licensure in your state. Requirements vary by state, so you’ll need to check what you need to do to get licensed where you live.

Some SLPs choose to become certified through ASHA. This is not required to practice as an SLP, but it can demonstrate your expertise and may be preferred by some employers.

Speech-language pathologist salary and employment information

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, speech-language pathologists earn an average of $79,060 per year, which is 36% higher than the average salary nationally. SLP jobs are expected to grow by 21% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than average. In total, there are 159,800 SLP jobs in the US as of 2021.