How to Become a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP): Your Career Guide

A career as a speech-language pathologist (SLP), offers high pay and strong job security for helping others develop the fundamental skill of verbal communication.

Discover the requirements for becoming an SLP, the opportunities it affords, and why so many find this challenging yet rewarding career path so fulfilling.

Why Become a Speech Language Pathologist?

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, the demand for speech-language pathologists is already relatively high. Still, the BLS indicates that demand is expected to grow by 18% over the next decade, more than four times the expected growth rate for all occupations.

Now, more than ever, the population needs what SLPs bring to the table, including the ability to help them strengthen communication, improve self-esteem and social belonging, and treat speech and language disorders.

Along with strong demand, speech pathologists can also enjoy professional variety in many different settings, including healthcare facilities, schools, and private practice, making this one of the most versatile allied health careers available.

What Does a Speech Language Pathologist Do?

Speech-language pathologists diagnose and treat individuals with speech, language processing, and swallowing disorders. SLPs treat a variety of conditions, including speech delays, aphasia, voice disorders, and stuttering. Daily responsibilities for an SLP may include:

• Assess a person’s cognitive functions and their ability to understand and express spoken and written language
• Identify the root cause of communication and swallowing problems
• Develop tailored treatment plans to address a patient’s needs and goals
• Use proven therapeutic techniques and intervention strategies to strengthen speech muscles, improve fluency and swallowing, and enhance language comprehension and expression
• Provide counseling and support to help patients and their families understand their language and speech disorders and treatment options
• Collaborate with educators and other healthcare professionals to develop a holistic approach to patient care

SLPs may work in many settings where patients live, work, or receive treatment. In addition to private practices, these can include nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and schools.

How to Become a Speech Language Pathologist

Learning how to become a speech-language pathologist starts with getting the proper education and experience. Here are the steps you must take as you navigate your professional path.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

There is typically no specific bachelor’s degree required to become a speech-language pathologist. However, studying a closely related field during your undergraduate degree program is recommended.

While some schools offer bachelor’s degrees in speech-language pathology and audiology, you may also study communication sciences, linguistics, or psychology. As you consider your major, take coursework that will help you build foundational knowledge, including those covering the anatomy of speech, language development, and linguistics.

Step 2: Complete a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology

SLPs must earn a master’s degree in speech-language pathology or communication sciences and disorders. Earning your degree from a speech-language pathology program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) is essential, as it ensures the program has met rigorous professional standards and is required for SLP certification and licensure.

Key courses in your program will likely include neurology, human development, literacy, and speech-language disorders. You may also complete a clinical or experiential learning component that provides hands-on experience treating children and adults. This coursework and experience will help you gain and solidify critical skills in assessment and diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation, collaboration, and counseling.

Many SLP master’s degrees require 60 hours of coursework over two years. While admission requirements vary, you will need a bachelor’s degree, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation.

Step 3: Obtain Certification and Licensure

The Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) represents the gold standard in SLP certification. Though it is only required by three states for licensure, many open roles request or require that SLPs obtain it.

This certificate is issued by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). It requires the completion of an accredited graduate program, a clinical fellowship, and a passing score on the Praxis examination in speech-language pathology.

Practicing speech-language pathologists must meet requirements for state licensure, which vary according to the rules set by each jurisdiction. However, they typically require an accredited graduate degree, a supervised clinical practicum, full-time or part-time professional experience, and a passing score on a national examination, such as the Praxis.

Many states also require continuing education credits to retain certification and licensure. These may be obtained through workshops, online courses, webinars, and professional development experiences from professional organizations like ASHA.

Step 4: Gain Clinical Experience

Clinical hours are required for most graduate programs. These supervised internships and professional experiences are critical for developing practical skills and applying theoretical knowledge. A 1,260-hour clinical fellowship is typically required for ASHA certification, during which you must evaluate, habilitate, or rehabilitate people with speech and language disorders under the supervision of a mentor.

Step 5: Find Job Opportunities and Specialize

As an SLP, you may work in a hospital setting, an outpatient clinic, a private practice, or a K-12 school setting with students individually or in small groups. Specializing in an area such as pediatrics, geriatrics, or neurogenic communication disorders can help you land your dream job.

Job Outlook and Salary for Speech-Language Pathologists

Speech-language pathologists are in high demand, and job growth is expected to outpace many other professions quickly. According to BLS projections, the number of SLP job openings is expected to grow by 7.3% in schools and 4.3% in hospitals over the next decade.

BLS data indicates that SLPs earned a median annual wage of $89,290 in 2023. However, salaries typically vary based on location, experience, and setting. Earning a doctorate or pursuing Board Certified Specialist (BCS) certifications in areas like child language (BCS-CL) or swallowing and swallowing disorders (BCS-S) may open up leadership, research, or other career advancement opportunities.

Challenges and Rewards of a Career in Speech-Language Pathology

As a speech-language pathologist, there will likely be numerous challenges and triumphs you face in this profession.

Challenges

Working with patients who face communication barriers requires empathy, which can take an emotional toll on SLPs. High demand for services can result in heavy workloads if you decide to work as an SLP in education or healthcare settings.

Rewards

Helping patients improve their communication skills can bring significant personal satisfaction and professional fulfillment. Though high demand means higher workloads, it also results in stronger job security.

How GHR Healthcare Can Help Your SLP Career

As a premier provider of healthcare and education managed staffing solutions, GHR offers job placement assistance for newly certified and experienced SLPs. We also provide access to career development resources and guidance to help SLPs secure a position they love. Our education staffing openings include opportunities in various settings for those looking to build a versatile career.

Pursue a Fulfilling Career in Speech-Language Pathology

To become a speech-language pathologist, you must earn a master’s degree, complete your clinical experience, pass the Praxis exam, and obtain licensure and certification.

Although speech-language pathology has challenges, it can provide significant fulfillment and job security. Whether you are newly licensed or looking to take the next step to achieve your career goals, explore current SLP job opportunities with GHR Healthcare today.