Speech Pathology Graduate Programs

Speech-Language Pathology Programs and Curriculum

When considering a graduate program in speech-language pathology, the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) recommends you ask yourself the following questions:

• What is your motivation for choosing a career in Speech Language Pathology? There’s a lot of work that goes into getting a speech-language pathology graduate degree, so be sure you’re committed to it before you start.
• What are your professional goals? Do you want to work with children or the elderly? Maybe you want the flexibility to work from home in private practice. Whatever it is, have a set of defined professional goals before you embark on your search for a speech pathology grad school.

A comprehensive graduate degree program for a master’s degree in speech-language pathology will typically include the following types of courses:

• Anatomy
• Physiology and the development of the parts of the body used for speech, language and swallowing
• The nature of disorders
• Principles of acoustics
• Psychological aspects of communication.

Students in a speech pathology master’s program may also learn to evaluate and treat speech, language, and swallowing disorders while in a supervised, hands-on clinical setting.

While an undergraduate degree in speech pathology or communication disorders is helpful, it is often not a requirement for entering a speech language pathology graduate program. Most programs seek students who are excited about their speech pathology graduate degree program and who are likely to finish the program and attain licensure. However, certain science courses are often required to apply for a speech pathology graduate program. If you don’t have them, you may need to add some prerequisites onto your program, lengthening the time you spend to get your master’s degree.

If you want to be certified as a speech language pathologist by the Council for Clinical Certification (CFCC) of ASHA, the Council requires a master’s degree in speech language pathology from a school that has been accredited by the CFCC. In addition, there are clinical requirements, much like an internship, and a national exam that must be passed. Many states also require licensure or certification of their own.

Speech-Language Pathology Career Paths

As a speech pathologist, you will most likely be required to have a master’s degree from an accredited university, which will qualify you to work in a variety of environments. According to the Bureau of Statistics, of the 119,300 speech pathologists employed in 2008, more than half worked in some type of educational environment such as an elementary, middle or high school while more than a quarter worked in health care and social assistance.

Data according to

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Ed.

Speech-Language Pathology Future Job Outlook

Based on the Occupational Employment Statistics Survey done by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for a speech-language pathologist was approximately $63,000 in May 2008. Pay levels vary with the industry of employment and number of years a pathologist has practiced.

Data according to

The Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics

Career opportunities for Speech Language Pathologists are expected to grow at a faster than average rate, with more than 19 percent growth expected by 2018. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts more than 141,000 people will be employed as speech-language pathologists, with an increase of the number in private practice, due to hospitals and care facilities contracting out for services instead of retaining them as employees in an effort to cut healthcare costs.