Here’s a brief list of what Speech-Language Pathologists do:

• Assessment: Conducting comprehensive evaluations to assess speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders in patients of all ages.

• Diagnosis: Diagnosing communication disorders, including speech sound disorders, language delays, stuttering, voice disorders, and cognitive-communication impairments.

• Treatment Planning: Developing individualized treatment plans based on assessment findings, patient goals, and evidence-based practice to improve communication and swallowing abilities.

• Therapeutic Interventions: Providing speech, language, and swallowing therapy using various techniques and modalities, such as articulation therapy, language intervention, fluency shaping, and swallowing exercises.

• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): Implementing AAC systems and strategies to support individuals with complex communication needs, including non-verbal and minimally verbal individuals.

• Voice Therapy: Conducting voice evaluations and providing therapy to improve vocal quality, pitch, resonance, and vocal hygiene practices.

• Dysphagia Management: Assessing and treating swallowing disorders (dysphagia) through exercises, compensatory strategies, and diet modifications to improve safety and efficiency of swallowing.

• Cognitive-Communication Therapy: Addressing cognitive-communication impairments related to attention, memory, problem-solving, and executive functioning through structured interventions.

Here’s how YOU can become one:

1. Educational Preparation:

• Bachelor’s Degree: Start by earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. While specific majors are not always required, coursework in communication sciences and disorders, psychology, linguistics, biology, and anatomy can be beneficial. Some programs may have specific prerequisite courses.

• Prerequisite Courses: Complete the required prerequisite courses for admission to a Master’s degree program in speech-language pathology (SLP). Prerequisites typically include courses in communication disorders, phonetics, language development, and statistics.

2. Earn a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology:

• Graduate Program Admission: Apply to accredited Master’s degree programs in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP). Admission to SLP programs is competitive and may require a strong undergraduate GPA, satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), letters of recommendation, and possibly an interview.

• Master’s Program: Complete a Master’s degree program in SLP, which typically takes 2-3 years to complete. The program includes coursework in speech and language disorders, diagnostic procedures, treatment methods, research methods, and clinical practicum experiences.

• Clinical Practicum: Gain supervised clinical experience through practicum placements in hospitals, clinics, schools, and other healthcare or educational settings. Clinical practicum provides hands-on training in assessing and treating individuals with speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders.

3. Complete Clinical Fellowship (CFY):

• Clinical Fellowship: After completing your Master’s degree, complete a Clinical Fellowship (CFY) under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist. The CFY typically lasts 9-12 months and provides additional supervised clinical experience to develop your clinical skills and meet certification requirements.

4. Pass the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology:

• Licensure Exam: Pass the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The Praxis exam assesses your knowledge and competency in speech-language pathology practice. Passing scores may be required for state licensure and national certification.

5. Obtain State Licensure:

• Apply for State Licensure: Apply for licensure as a speech-language pathologist through your state licensing board or department of health. Licensure requirements vary by state but generally include completing an accredited Master’s degree program, passing the Praxis exam, completing a clinical fellowship, and meeting continuing education requirements.

• Maintain Licensure: Renew your speech-language pathology license periodically by completing continuing education credits as required by your state licensing board.

  This is a very brief and general plan. To know your specific academic path for this career please talk to an advisor at the college or program you plan on attending!