 Preparation
Most speech-language
pathologist jobs require a master's degree. More than 230 colleges and
universities offer graduate programs in
speech-language pathology accredited by the Council on Academic
Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. While
graduation from an accredited program is not always required to become a
speech-language pathologist, it may be helpful in obtaining a license or
may be required to obtain a license in some states.
Speech-language
pathology courses cover anatomy, physiology, and the development of the
areas of the body involved in speech, language, and swallowing; the
nature of disorders; principles of acoustics; and psychological aspects
of communication. Graduate students also learn to evaluate and treat
speech, language, and swallowing disorders and receive supervised
clinical training in communication disorders.
Most states regulate
speech-language pathologists through licensure or registration. A
passing score on the national examination on speech-language pathology,
offered through the Praxis Series of the Educational Testing Service, is
required. Other usual requirements include 300 to 375 hours of
supervised clinical experience and 9 months of postgraduate professional
clinical experience. Forty-one States have continuing education
requirements for licensure renewal. Medicaid, Medicare, and private
health insurers generally require a practitioner to be licensed to
qualify for reimbursement.
 Only
12 states require this same license to practice in the public schools.
The other states issue a teaching license or certificate that typically
requires a master's degree from an approved college or university. Some
states will grant a provisional teaching license or certificate to
applicants with a bachelor's degree, but a master's degree must be
earned within 3 to 5 years. A few states grant a full teacher's
certificate or license to bachelor's degree applicants.
In some states, the
Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP)
offered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association meets some
or all of the requirements for licensure. To earn a CCC, a person must
have a graduate degree from an accredited university, 400 hours of
supervised clinical experience, complete a 36-week postgraduate clinical
fellowship, and pass the Praxis Series examination in speech-language
pathology administered by the Educational Testing Service. Contact
state's Licensing Board for details on local requirements.
Speech-language
pathologists should be able to effectively communicate diagnostic test
results, diagnoses, and proposed treatment in a manner easily understood
by their patients and their families. They must be able to approach
problems objectively and be supportive. Because a patient's progress may
be slow, patience, compassion, and good listening skills are necessary.
Note: Some resources in this section are provided by the US Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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